Is it worth swapping cow’s milk for soy milk? – GOOD SHAPE

Among vegetable milks, soy milk is one of the most famous – and oldest on the market! before the wave almond and nut milk, soy was the main raw material for those who wanted to replace cow’s milk in their diet. Even today, it’s a great choice for those looking for a variety of nutrients – we’ll learn more about that in the following paragraphs.

WHAT IS SOY MILK?

“soy milk is a product of high nutritional value, with a high protein content, made with micro-textured soy and diluted in hot water, forming a mass that is stirred, obtaining a milky solution”, explains the Dr. Fernanda Carolina de Campoprofessor of the Nutrition course at Estácio College. “This solution contains the milk released from the soy and insoluble elements in the water.”

With that explanation alone, you can see that soy milk is a good source of nutrients, right? The grain is considered a functional foodwhich can modify the body’s metabolic responses, generating more protection against diseases and health stimuli.

“Soy contains antioxidants, which are characterized by having beneficial properties, capable of acting on the physiological metabolism, promoting protection against the actions of free radicals, which are produced and released in the normal metabolism of cells, and are related to many human diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease,” he continues. “Therefore, it can have action as prevention of future diseases.”

IS IT WORTH REPLACING COW’S MILK WITH SOY MILK?

Yes, but with reservations. There are already many studies that explain how soy milk is a solid alternative for those seeking a healthier lifestyle or dealing with lactose intolerance.

However, for this consumption to equal the benefits generated by whole cow’s milk, it is necessary to add some nutrients, such as calcium. I.e, have adequate supplementationeither via food or via capsules, of the nutrients that we so easily ingest from bovine milk is essential.

LONG TERM BENEFITS AND CONTRAINDICATIONS

Healthy eating has become one of the pillars of the modern lifestyle. Both because of the benefits to physical and mental health, after all, the boom in cases of depression, tiredness and irritation can also be triggered by an inadequate diet.

“Analyzing the diet of Asians, which is rich in soy, it was concluded that they have a low rate of diseases, such as cancer or coronary heart disease, confirmed by epidemiological data. Thus, there was an increase in the consumption of healthy foods, which include soy and its derivatives, which, therefore, seems to be related to long-term health benefits for humans.”

But, before putting soy in all your meals, you need to be careful: excessive consumption of the grain, even in the form of milk, can cause some gastrointestinal discomfort, with pain in the abdominal area.

In addition, the presence of isoflavones in the composition has also been closely studied, since, due to its hormonal power, it may be related to changes in the endocrine system.

There is also soy allergy, which can cause a series of physical discomforts and, of course, limits its consumption. However, all these diagnoses and contraindications need the endorsement of a nutrition professional.

In short: before making any dietary changes, look for a specialist to ensure that your diet meets the nutritional needs that this change may generate.