Soy Milk – Beneficial for Your Heart and Bones

Soy beans are the source for numerous food items that are extremely important for our diets. Those who are vegetarian are accustomed to eating soy products because they have high protein content. One of these soy products is the soy milk that is used mainly in the Asian cuisine. Soy milk is also the main source for preparing tofu. Soy milk can replace regular milk in numerous recipes and, furthermore, it is available in vanilla and chocolate flavors. People from India and China also consume salted soy milk. This product is a great energy source and it’s rich in dietary fiber, sugar and proteins. Moreover, it contains zinc, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and calcium. Finally, it includes polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins K, E, D, B-12 and B6, niacin, riboflavin, thiamin and folate and it can help with the following health problems:

Osteoporosis

Postmenopausal women should drink soy milk so as to receive relief from osteoporosis. This disease is also called brittle bones and it’s caused by the loss of calcium. Try to consume soy milk that is fortified with calcium so as to increase your calcium intake and help your body retain this mineral. This way, you can prevent the loss of bone mass and density and reduce the chances of fracture.

Obesity

If you consume soy isoflavones that can be found in the soy milk, you can reduce the risk of developing metabolic obesity that occurs in post-menopausal women, as well as in most men. Soy milk has hormonal effects that will inhibit the adipogenesis and will prevent the apparition of adipose tissues. At the same time, if you consume soy milk on a regular basis, you can also lower the LDL-cholesterol levels and reduce the risks of having various heart diseases. Various studies have also shown that soy milk reduces the waist circumference in overweight persons.

Cardiovascular Problems

The proteins in the soy milk are important for the human growth and nutrition. They also contain amino acids that will prevent various health disorders, including heart diseases. The isoflavones together with the amino acids will lower the LDL-cholesterol and the elderly men can diminish their serum cholesterol levels by consuming soy milk. At the same time, soy milk can reduce the blood pressure in those suffering from Type 2 diabetes. So, overall, the consumption of soy milk is beneficial in supporting the cardiovascular health. Furthermore, it is a great choice for those who suffer from lactose intolerance.

Cancer

Soy milk has anti-carcinogenic properties and has the ability to diminish the chances of developing prostate cancer. For this reason, men are advised to consume more of this soy product. Also, the post-menopausal women who are at risk of developing breast cancer can consume soy milk to reduce their estrogen levels. The high levels of this hormone are the main causes of breast cancer.

Chronic Diseases

Soy milk and the soy isoflavones have antioxidant properties and can reduce the chances of developing chronic diseases. At the same time, this type of milk has hepatoprotective properties and can diminish the oxidative damage and stress. Thus, soy milk prevents liver damage and increases the antioxidant capacity of the body.