Is drinking soy milk bad? (and other questions)

Consumption of soy milk is harmful to the health of people with soy allergies or thyroid problems, as this drink prevents the action of thyroid medications and inhibits thyroperoxidase, which is an enzyme responsible for the formation of thyroid hormones.

However, soy milk contains isoflavones and mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, nutrients that promote health benefits, helping to prevent cardiovascular diseases and cancer, and to alleviate menopausal symptoms.

Furthermore, soy milk can be a good alternative for those who have lactose intolerance, a syndrome caused by the reduction or lack of the enzyme responsible for the digestion and absorption of lactose in the body. Understand better what lactose intolerance is.

Main benefits of soy milk

The main health benefits of soy milk are:

• Prevent cardiovascular diseases, for having isoflavones and polyphenols that help reduce “bad” cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood;
• Prevent the emergence of breast, colon and prostate cancer, as it contains genistein, a compound with antioxidant action that protects the body’s cells against free radicals and prevents the proliferation of cancer cells.

Furthermore, soy milk also helps reduce menopause symptoms. Discover all the benefits of soy milk.

Soy milk nutritional information

The following table shows the nutritional composition for each 100 ml of soy milk:

To obtain the benefits of this drink, it is also important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Consult your nearest nutritionist to find out the best way to include soy milk in your daily diet:

Can babies have soy milk?

Soy milk can be consumed by babies only under the recommendation of a pediatrician, in cases where the mother cannot breastfeed, when the child is allergic to cow’s milk protein or lactose intolerance, for example.

Can people with cancer drink soy milk?

Although it is believed that soy milk should not be consumed by people with cancer, this relationship does not exist. This is because moderate consumption of natural foods such as grains, soy milk and tofu have a low phytoestrogen content.

Furthermore, although natural phytoestrogens have a similar action, they do not alter the estrogens that are produced by the body. Therefore, people with cancer can consume soy milk.

Can people with thyroid problems drink soy milk?

Consuming soy milk can be harmful for people with thyroid problems, because this drink reduces the action of thyroid medications.

Furthermore, soy milk can also inhibit the action of thyroperoxidase, especially in people with iodine deficiency, an enzyme responsible for the formation of thyroid hormones.

Is soy milk bad for men?

Because it contains isoflavones, it was believed that soy and its derivatives, such as soy milk, could cause the emergence of feminine characteristics in men, such as breast enlargement and decreased testosterone.

However, some more recent studies show that soy does not alter testosterone or androgen levels in men, therefore being considered a safe food.