Is Soy Milk Good Or Bad For You?

There are some misconceptions about the health benefits of soy milk. Most Americans were raised drinking cows milk, so they are more comfortable and familiar with it. But soy milk’s popularity has been rising fast in recent years, and that is because there are many nutritionally sound benefits to drinking soy milk.

In short, soy milk is very good for you, and is an excellent alternative to cows milk. Most people would see positive health benefits by incorporating more soy milk and soy products in their diet.

Soy milk is low in saturated fat and cholesterol

Unlike regular milk, soy milk is naturally cholesterol free, and the fat content is largely the healthy unsaturated type. However, whole milk is high in saturated fat, which is the kind that increases cholesterol and lipid levels and contributes to heart disease. Products like soy milk that are high in unsaturated fat usually come from plant rather than animal sources.

Therefore, soy milk can help to reduce the risks of developing cardiovascular disease. People with high levels of triglycerides and lipids can see an improvement by switching to foods like soy milk that have better nutritional profiles.

Soy milk contains a high level of protein

Soy milk is also good for you because it is packed with protein. Foods high in protein help to increase satiety and reduce hunger. Some people find that increasing the amount of protein in their diet can lead to decreased caloric intake and weight loss.

Legumes in general contain very high amounts of protein, and soybeans contain the highest concentration of protein of all beans. In fact, soybeans are an impressive 40% protein when measured by volume. Protein shakes utilized by athletes and weight lifters often contain soy protein powder to help increase muscle mass and recover after a workout.

Soy milk contains many antioxidants and vitamins

Soy milk  has many antioxidants which fight cancer-causing free radicals. It also contains healthy amounts of vitamin A, B1, B2, and other trace minerals. It also does not have any animal hormones that can often be present in cow’s milk.

Soy milk has a low glycemic index

Soy milk is also high in complex carbohydrates, which gives it a low ranking on the glycemic index. For this reason, soy milk is a great choice for diabetics and others needing to regulate blood sugar levels.

So, as you can see, soy milk is very good for you. We recommend that people get their nutrition from plant sources rather than animal sources whenever possible, for best health. And soy milk is one of the easiest and best ways to move in that direction.

Photo: “What if soy milk is just normal milk introducing itself in Spanish?” by duncan is licensed under CC BY-NC