Some individuals are unable to consume cow's milk due to digestive issues. Others choose soy over traditional cow's milk as a healthy and tasty alternative. Soy milk and other products are becoming increasingly popular, as consumers become more health conscience. Soy milk, derived from soybeans, provides sufficient amounts of fiber, proteins and other healthy compounds.
Protein
While the exact nutrition available in soy milk varies, depending on the brand you choose, most soy milk provides plenty of protein. Protein is an essential aspect of a healthy diet, helping the body build muscle aiding the immune system and supplying energy for living. In addition, protein plays an important role in skin health, as it replenishes dead cells and supports hair and nail growth. Protein has also been the mainstay of many popular diets, due to its ability to keep hunger at bay.
Fiber
Fiber is a major part of the diet, found in soy beans and other plant life. Fiber helps keep the digestive track healthy (keeping bowels regular), lowers the risks of diverticulitis (a painful intestinal disease) and colon and rectal cancer, according to the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM). Fiber may also aid those with diabetes, as it helps control blood sugar. Other benefits include, reducing cholesterol levels, which may decrease the risks of heart disease and weight management. Those who drink soy milk fill up on healthy doses of fiber, appropriating its many benefits to their diet.
Isoflavones
Besides offering protein and fiber, soy milk and other soy products are a rich source of isoflavones, a branch of a family of chemical compound known as phytochemicals. Isoflavones are thought to improve bone retention and may benefit menopausal women and those with premenstrual symptoms, helping with hot flashes and mood changes. In addition, a thorough study involving 650 pre-mnopausal, peri-menopausal and postmenopausal women indicates a marked association between higher levels of isoflavones in the blood and lower risks of breast cancer, according to Women to Women.com. Drinking soy milk may also help women in menopause counteract weight changes, maintaining a health weight.
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