Soybeans can be made into a variety of products, including tofu, tempeh and soy milk. Some of the compounds in soy have the potential to affect hormonal levels, particularly those of estrogen. Drinking soy milk may affect your hormone levels, which can impact your risk of developing certain types of cancer and menopausal symptoms. The carbohydrates in soy milk can also affect levels of the hormone insulin.
Soy Milk and Isoflavones
Products made with soy, including soy milk, contain chemicals known as isoflavones. These molecules are potent antioxidants that can help protect the body from dangerous molecules known as reactive oxygen species. Isoflavones are also interesting because they have a chemical structure that is similar to estrogen, reports the Harvard School of Public Health, which is why they are called phytoestrogens. In theory, these isoflavones may be able to have a similar effect on the body as naturally produced estrogen.
Isoflavones and Menopause
Some women consume soy products or supplements with isoflavones in order to reduce the effects of menopause, notes the University of Maryland Medical Center. Menopause occurs when your ovaries stop producing eggs, which usually occurs in a woman's late 40s or early 50s. When the ovaries shut down, estrogen levels in the body drop, which can cause osteoporosis, hot flashes and increases in cholesterol levels. Drinking soy milk may be able to help reduce these symptoms, though the ability of isoflavones to treat menopausal symptoms is still being investigated.
Soy Milk and Insulin
Soy milk can also affect the levels of another hormone in the body, insulin, which is secreted by the pancreas in response to increased blood glucose levels. When you consume carbohydrates, your blood glucose levels go up, triggering increased insulin secretion. Drinking soy milk will cause your blood glucose levels to increase, though different types of soy milk have different amounts of carbohydrates. For example, according to the Silk website, its unflavored soy milk contains 8 g of carbohydrate per serving, whereas its chocolate flavor contains 23 g of carbohydrate per serving.
Soy Milk and Cancer
Some types of cancer, including ovarian, breast and uterine, are more likely in those who have more estrogen signaling. In theory, consuming soy milk can stimulate these estrogen-sensitive tissues and increase your risk of developing these kinds of cancer. On the other hand, some studies have found that consuming more soy protein lowers your risk of breast cancer, so the effects of soy milk on hormone levels needs to be researched further.
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