Soy milk is made by heating and grinding soy beans. This food is a common alternative to cow's milk in the Western world, particularly among vegans and people with soy allergies. It is a rich source of lean plant-based protein, magnesium and calcium. However, consuming soy milk may pose several health risks. Check with your doctor if you plan to include soy milk in your diet.
Allergies
Soy milk may cause allergic reactions, particularly among young children, according to MayoClinic.com. Although symptoms of soy allergy are typically mild, soy milk can cause life-threatening reactions in some cases. Mild symptoms include dizziness, hives, abdominal pain, diarrhea, runny nose and swelling of the tissues of your mouth and throat. Anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction to soy, can cause increased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, constriction of your airways and fainting.
Breast Cancer
Soy milk contains isoflavones, which are chemicals that produce an effect similar to estrogen, a natural hormone produced by the female body. Isoflavones may encourage the growth of breast cancer cells by stimulating the estrogen receptors in these cells, according to the Breast Cancer website. This may cause the rapid spread of cancer cells in women with breast cancer. However, current research on the relationship between soy milk and breast cancer is not conclusive.
Poor Mineral Absorption
Soy milk contains large amounts of a chemical called phytic acid. This chemical may inhibit your body's absorption of magnesium, calcium, iron and zinc, according to the Phytic Acid website. This may result in mineral deficiencies in body. Soaking, boiling and steaming soybeans, which helps reduce the phytic acid content of other legumes, may not result in an appreciable reduction of phytic acid in soybeans.
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