Benefits of soy milk

Soy milk is a plant-based nondairy beverage consumed as an alternative to diary milk. It is made from soya beans and filtered water. Like other plant-based milk alternatives, soy milk sometimes contains thickeners added to improve its consistency and shelf life.

Since it comes from plants, soy milk contains no lactose and it is naturally free of cholesterol and it is low in saturated fat.

Julieanna Hever, a plant-based-foods dietitian and author of The Vegiterranian Diet elaborates that: “soy milk offers culinary diversity, creamy texture, and a healthful nutritional profile, including essential omega-3 fatty acids (if fortified) and flavonoids that exert antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cardioprotective properties.”

According to healthline, a cup of unsweetened soy milk contains:

Benefits of soymilk

For those who are lactose intolerant – they have trouble digesting lactose, a carbohydrate found in cow’s milk – taking dairy milk can lead to a variety of uncomfortable gastrointestinal side effects. To curb this, one can opt for a plant-based milk such as soy milk which is equally as nutritious as a cow’s milk.

Here, we look at some of the benefits of soy milk:

Soy milk is rich in fibre which has a phenomenal effect on the BMI and maintaining good cholesterol levels. Consuming soy milk alongside a low-fat diet can also help get rid of obesity while keeping muscle mass in place.

Soy milk not only helps maintain good cholesterol levels, it is also rich in vitamins, minerals and unsaturated fats which together promote better heart health.

Soy milk is rich in calcium which promotes better bone health by keeping the bones stronger, maintaining their structure, hence lowering the risk of fractures.

When you work out, your body loses some fats and burns calories. Soy milk contains riboflavin – a vitamin required by the body for cellular respiration – which helps to recover all the lost energy post a workout session.

The vitamin B6 and vitamin B complex contained in soy milk are beneficial in improving mood. Other than the vitamins, soy milk is also rich in magnesium which promotes the release of hormone serotonin – a hormone that works as an antidepressant for the mind.

Soy milk, when taken together with a protein-abundant diet, can have a remarkable impact on the hair. Soy milk can stimulate better hair growth and improve the general appearance of the hair. Soy is also know to help reduce hyperpigmentation – the condition causing darkening of the skin. Though not scientifically proven, soy is also believed to contain compounds that have anti-aging properties.

Remember, the content here is generic information and you should not use it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion.