Soy milk is made from soy beans that have been cooked, ground and mixed with sweeteners. Soy milk is perishable and should be kept in the refrigerator after it's opened. Soy milk is a nutritious alternative to dairy for those with food allergies or who may be vegetarian. Soy milk has grown in popularity in the United States in recent years.
Identification
According to the Soy Foods Association of North America, soy milk has many nutritional benefits. It contains potassium, iron, fiber and the B vitamins. Some soy milk is fortified with vitamins A and D, riboflavin and calcium.
Calcium is needed for strong bones and teeth. Riboflavin, or vitamin B2, is needed for energy metabolism. Potassium is important for the proper functioning of your heart and tissues. Iron is needed for delivery of oxygen to your cells. Fiber is needed for digestive and heart health.
The Soy Foods Association of North America says that 1 cup of plain, fortified soy milk has 98 calories, 4 grams of fat, 7 grams of protein, 8 grams of carbohydrates, 96 grams of sodium, zero cholesterol, 225 milligrams of potassium and 368 milligrams of calcium.
Benefits
Soy milk is a good source of protein for those who are lactose intolerant, have food allergies or are vegetarians. As in animal protein, the protein in soy milk has essential amino acids needed for tissue growth and repair. Soy milk is cholesterol free and may even lower low-density lipoprotein, the bad cholesterol known as LDL. This, in turn, will lower your risk of heart disease.
Types
Soy milk is sold in cartons in the refrigerated section of the grocery store. Shelf-stable soy milk is also found near the powdered milk. Soy milk comes in many varieties. You can choose from plain, low-fat plain, vanilla, chocolate and fortified varieties.
History
Soy milk has been traced to ancient China. According to the Soy Info Center, the term soy milk as we know it in the United States developed slowly. It was originally used in reference to the milky liquid derived from the tofu-making process.
Warning
According to MedlinePlus, soy foods, including soy milk, may adversely impact those with hormone-sensitive cancers. Therefore, people with uterine, ovarian or breast cancer should speak with a health care practitioner before eating soy products. The isoflavones in soy products may act as estrogen in the body and cause cancerous tumors to grow. Soy may also not be a good idea for women with endometriosis.
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