Is Soy Milk Good for You?

When the hype over certain things get overboard, rest assured that there are people who are working day and night to find out if the stuff in question is really as good is it seems or if it is too good to be true. Oh no! Before all you soy-camp loyalists focus your frowns and throw those are-you-insane?

glances in my direction, let me tell you that soy milk is an excellent dietary inclusion, especially for those who are lactose intolerant. Then why all this ruckus over health benefits of soy milk? Why wonder if soy milk is good for you? Well, let's proceed to the subsequent segment to find out.

Is soy milk good or bad for you? Let's take a look at all facets of this issue.

It's a wonderful dietary substitute for milk for people who are lactose intolerant. Soy milk nutrition facts clearly state that soy milk is a rich dietary source of proteins, isoflavones, lecithin and Vitamin E. The controversial phosphoprotein casein is absent in soy milk.

Also, the soy milk estrogen which is very similar in structure to the human female hormone, makes it an excellent dietary inclusion for women who have entered menopause and suffer from post menopausal blues.

Talking about side effects of soy milk, besides the beneficial proteins and other nutrients, soy milk also contains high doses of phytic acids which are responsible for low absorption of nutrients by the body. Thyroid abnormalities like hypothyroidism and thyroid cancer is often attributed to high soy milk consumption.

Soy milk is also not recommended for children because it is believed that it can cause learning disabilities, dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and is also associated with inhibiting pancreatic growth. Allergic reactions such as , sneezing, congestion, coughing, etc. may also manifest in people who are intolerant to soy protein and isoflavones.

However, allergy is such a thing whose occurrence cannot be generically traced to any particular food item; I mean, just about anyone can be allergic to just about anything! Many people vouch by the benefits of abundant soy proteins present in soy milk. However, studies have shown that soy milk contains certain protein enzyme inhibitors which disable trypsin and other protein digesting enzymes.

Soy milk and its most of its constituents are known to induce infertility in both males and females. Most often, significant proportions of aluminum is present in soy milk which can turn out to be extremely toxic if consumed by humans over a long time or in large quantities.

It has been found out that certain soy milk brands add some polyunsaturated vegetable oils to their products. You must be wondering why this should be alarming, right? Well, an unnecessary intake of polyunsaturated vegetable oils leads to a chronic distortion of the essential fatty acids balance in our bodies. Such an imbalance for a long period is a direct cause behind cardiovascular disorders.

Also, certain brands use so-called natural sweetening agents such as rice syrup and evaporated cane juice. Whether natural or artificial, all sweeteners weigh heavy on the pancreas, weakening its functional abilities. These sweetening agents also raise your insulin levels leading to obesity and premature aging.

Therefore, from this standpoint, if posed with the doubt regarding whether soy milk is good for pancreatic health, the answer is a straight NO! Does soy milk compromise you skin's health and quality? Well, eczema, acne, blisters, hives and canker sores are often associated with soy milk intake.

Well, most of these occur as soy milk allergy symptoms and cannot be completely and specifically attributed to soy milk consumption.

So, what is the final stand regarding the titular query? Well, despite all the ill effects included within the purview of this article, soy milk does come with its share of benefits which can be optimally and harmlessly reaped if it is consumed in moderation.

The biggest bone of contention with regards to the dangers of soy milk lies in its isoflavone content which is known to adversely affect many reproductive and other glandular functions if taken in excess.

Also, the most significant of its adverse effects is seen on the thyroids, pancreas and the cardiovascular system but then, most of these are due to artificially added ingredients which are introduced to commercial soy milk by their manufacturers.

The final verdict is that if you're not allergic to soy milk, consuming it in moderation will do you more benefit than harm. Also, learning how to make soy milk at home will decrease your exposure to harmful and unnecessary additives that are present in commercial products.