Soy milk is a processed soybean product. Since soy milk does not contain any lactose, people who are dairy sensitive can consume it. It's also popular as a cow's milk substitute among vegans who do not eat animal proteins. The nutritional value of soy milk is close to that of cow's milk. However, soy milk may have negative side effects as well. If you want to use soy milk, talk to your doctor first.
Breast Cancer
Isoflavones, which are in soy milk and other soy foods, are heterocyclic phenols, structurally similar to estrogen. These compounds bind to estrogen receptors that lie under cells and exhibit weak estrogen-like effects in the body. Being weak estrogens, soy isoflavones act as estrogen antagonists. Since increased estrogen levels can influence a woman's risk for breast cancer, the anti-estrogenic effects of soy isoflavones make them an effective natural therapy for women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.
Heart Disease and Stroke
Bioactive soy isoflavones have the ability to reduce platelet aggregation and lower cholesterol levels. These plant molecules can inhibit the formation of dangerous blood clots and help prevent heart attacks and strokes. If a blood clot forms in an artery in the heart or brain, it may reduce blood and oxygen supply to the heart and brain, leading to a heart attack or stroke. Blood clots may also block blood vessels in other parts of the body, including legs, arms and lungs.
Hypothyroidism
Soy foods, including soy milk, are thought to be one of the factors in goiter thyroid gland dysfunction. Soy isoflavones have been shown to inhibit thyroid peroxidase enzyme, essential to thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Soy isoflavone effects on thyroid iodine intake and thyroid peroxidase activity can lead to hypothyroidism, a chronic thyroid gland disorder.
Gout
Gout occurs when your blood levels of uric acid are too high. Uric acid comes from the breakdown of purines, which are found in all human tissues and in many foods. Soy milk contains moderate amounts of purines and thus can affect your serum uric acid levels. In gout, excess uric acids change to urate crystals that are deposited in joint spaces, causing inflammation, swelling and intense pain in the involved joint.
References
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Soy; Dec. 14, 2009
- University at Buffalo: Soy Isoflavones Decrease Risk of Invasive Breast Cancer, Large Breast Tumors, Study Shows; Anne Weaver; 2010
- Baylor College of Medicine: Educational Component
- University of Southern California: So Far Soy Good; Alicia Di Rado
- "The Anti-Estrogenic Diet;" Ori Hofmekler and Rick Osborn; 2007
- Florida Agency for Health Care Administration: Soy; May 3, 2009
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