Contents:

• How is soy milk made?
• What is the nutritional value of soy drink?
• Is soy drink healthy?
• When is it worth using soy drinks and when is it not?

Among plant-based milk alternatives, soy milk stands out due to its high protein content, similar to cow's milk. However, compared to conventional milk, it has a lower fat content and, above all, contains less saturated fat. An additional benefit of soy beverages is the presence of isoflavones – natural compounds with antioxidant properties that help protect the body from oxidative stress.

How is soy milk made?

Soy beverage, popular in plant-based diets, is made by soaking soybeans, mixing them with water, and then filtering the resulting mixture. Its use is especially appreciated by people who suffer from lactose intolerance or an allergy to cow's milk proteins (unless they are also allergic to soy). Thanks to its plant-based origin, the beverage is cholesterol-free, making it a healthy alternative to milk of animal origin.

What is the nutritional value of soy drink?

Soy drinks provide only 44 kcal per 100 g, making them a low-calorie alternative to cow's milk (3.2% fat), which provides 60 kcal in the same amount. The comparable protein content in both products (3.1 g in the soy drink and 3.2 g in the milk) makes soy drink an attractive source of this macronutrient, although soy protein differs in composition—it contains less sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine). Nevertheless, its digestibility is comparable to cow's milk protein.

of isoflavones in soy, such as genistein and daidzein, which have antioxidant properties. Thanks to its lower fat content (1.7 g compared to 3.2 g in cow's milk) and lower saturated fat content (0.26 g compared to 1.2 g), soy beverage is a particularly beneficial choice for people concerned about cardiovascular health.

Comparison table – 100 g soy drink compared to 100 g cow’s milk:

Is soy drink healthy?

Soybeans are a source of two main isoflavones: genistein and daidzein, which are attracting increasing interest among researchers due to their beneficial effects on the body. Their properties include anti-cancer properties, cardiovascular protection, and bone health. Therefore, it is worth taking a closer look at how soy products that can support health.

Anticancer properties of genistein

Genistein, one of the key components of soy, is particularly important in the prevention of cancers such as breast, prostate, and colon cancer. Its mechanisms of action are diverse and include:

•     Inhibition of the growth of cancer cells – Genistein limits their proliferation, which helps to inhibit the development of the disease,

•     Inhibition of angiogenesis – reduces the possibility of new blood vessel formation, thereby cutting off cancer cells’ access to oxygen and nutrients, leading to their death,

•     Antioxidant effect – Genistein neutralizes free oxygen radicals, which are one of the factors contributing to the development of chronic diseases, including cancer.

Support of the cardiovascular system

Consumption of soy products has also been linked to improved blood lipid levels, which reduces the risk of heart disease. Thanks to soy isoflavones:

•     the level of “good” cholesterol (HDL) increases , which helps to remove excess cholesterol from the body,

•     the level of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) decreases , an excess of which can lead to arteriosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases.

Healthier bones thanks to genistein

The effect of genistein is similar to that of estrogen hormones, making it particularly valuable in the prevention of osteoporosis. It can limit the process of bone tissue resorption and help maintain bone density at an appropriate level, which is especially important for women during menopause.