Is it good for women to drink a lot of soy milk? (2024)

FAQs

Is it good for women to drink a lot of soy milk? ›

Evidence shows that eating soy doesn't increase cancer risk. In fact, a 2022 systematic review of relevant studies found moderate soy consumption can help protect against breast cancer in both pre- and post-menopausal women.

Soy milk is an excellent choice for women looking to improve their health. The benefits include better bone health, and hormonal balance, and may lower the risk of breast cancer. Soy milk is also low in calories, good for heart health, and can improve skin health.

Soy milk may be used to reduce cholesterol. It may help in the case of atherosclerosis, diabetes, cancer, and osteoporosis. It may act as a prebiotic and may be beneficial for the gut bacteria. Additionally, it may also improve heart health.

Many of soy's health benefits have been linked to isoflavones—plant compounds that mimic estrogen. But animal studies suggest that eating large amounts of those estrogenic compounds might reduce fertility in women, trigger premature puberty and disrupt development of fetuses and children.

Possible benefits of soy

Menopause occurs when women experience a reduction in estrogen levels. Because soy isoflavones act similarly to estrogen within the body, they're sometimes credited with easing the symptoms of menopause. However, the American Heart Association states that this effect is somewhat unlikely.

Women who had not consumed soy products had higher BPA levels associated with lower chances of pregnancy and live birth. But among women who routinely ate soy, BPA had no impact on pregnancy outcomes. Where BPA was suspected of affecting genes to inhibit fertility, soy is now indicated to prevent that effect.

Soy milk contains more protein than almond milk. Soy milk contains more heart healthy polyunsaturated fats. Almond milk is lower in calories compared to soy milk, and contains more heart healthy monounsaturated fats. Almond milk contains slightly more sodium than soy milk, and both milks do not contain lactose.

If you have a history of kidney stones, avoid taking large amounts of soy. Milk allergy: Children who are very allergic to cow's milk might also be sensitive to soy products. Use soy products with caution. Bladder cancer: Soy products might increase the chance of getting bladder cancer.

The most common side effects of soy are digestive upsets, such as constipation and diarrhea. Soy may alter thyroid function in people who are deficient in iodine. Current evidence indicates that it's safe for women who have had breast cancer or who are at risk for breast cancer to eat soy foods.

Avoid using too much: As analyzed, consuming too much soy milk will not be good for the body. So adults should limit it to less than 500ml/day. Do not use soy milk to take medicine: The drug should only be taken with white water, avoiding the use of any other solvents to take medicine, including soy milk.

What does soy do to a woman's body? ›

Soy is a high-quality protein – one or 2 daily serves of soy products can be beneficial to our health. Soybeans contain hormone-like substances (called phytoestrogens) that copy the action of the female hormone oestrogen. It is thought soy can reduce menopausal symptoms (such as hot flushes).

According to a handful of studies, soy consumption may have a link to raising serum estrogen in humans (3), and potentially causing thyroid disorders (4). Animal studies have also suggested potential male infertility and breast cancer associated with soy consumption.

Regularly drinking soy milk may improve your cholesterol levels, reduce high blood pressure, fight inflammation, and support weight loss or weight maintenance. A few downsides to consider are a higher cost compared with cow's milk and the added sugar content of flavored varieties.

Menopause. Soy isoflavones may help reduce hot flashes and night sweats that many women have during menopause. In clinical studies, postmenopausal women who eat high amounts of dietary soy protein (20 to 60 g per day) generally have fewer and less intense hot flashes and night sweats than those who eat less soy.

"I usually suggest to women to change their latte to soy milk [preferably calcium-enriched], have soy milk on their cereal, and try 200g of tofu or 100g of tempeh in a stir-fry,” she says.

Low-fat, skim or 1% cow's milk are healthier options compared to 2% or whole milk.

Dr Andrew states that this is an absolute myth. Soy has zero estrogen, mammalian estrogen. Mammalian estrogen is typically found in the production of milk from female mammals to feed their babies. Soy milk actually contains phytoestrogen.

Soy is a good source of low-fat and plant-based protein. It is cholesterol-free, has less saturated fat than cow's milk and lowers the LDL in the body. Cow's milk, on the other hand, has more calcium than natural soy. Calcium, as we know, helps to build bones and prevents osteoporosis.

When observing the effect of isoflavones/phytoestrogens on testosterone levels in men, extensive studies show that they have no effect on testosterone or estrogen in men. Furthermore, both men in the case studies discussed they derived a majority of their calories from one food – soy.