Soy milk is a milky substance which is produced by pressing and grinding soy beans which are cooked in boiling water. It is a very nutritious beverage that is a rich source of protein, essential fatty acids, fiber and lots of vitamins and minerals. These are essential substances that help to keep your body well-nourished and functioning at its optimum level.
Soy milk does not contain saturated fats and cholesterol and it is an excellent substitute for dairy milk. Here are some of the proven health benefits of soy milk:
1. It helps to improve lipid profile.
A lipid profile refers to a group of tests that are made to determine a person’s risk to coronary heart disease. Results of this test are known to be good indicators of a person’s susceptibility to heart attack or stroke which can be triggered by any or both of these two factors:
i) The blockage of the arteries resulting from the buildup of bad cholesterol in the arterial walls; and
ii) The hardening of the blood vessels.
Soy milk contains monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids which work to prevent the transport of cholesterol into the blood stream. This beverage is also known to lower triglyceride levels and low density lipoprotein or bad cholesterol, and increase the body’s high density lipoprotein or good cholesterol levels.
Soy milk is recommended for people who have high cholesterol levels or a family history of heart attacks or strokes.
2. It helps to improve the strength and flexibility of your blood vessels.
Soy milk is loaded with omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which work to maximize brain function and improve heart health. It also contains potent phyto-antioxidants that help to keep your blood vessels strong, flexible and resistant to lesions and hemorrhage due to blood pressure changes.
3. It helps to promote weight loss.
Being lower in sugar content than dairy milk, soy milk is a healthy substitute for dairy milk and it is ideal for people who want to lose weight. Its monounsaturated fatty acids which help to prevent the absorption of fats and its high fiber content are important factors that make soy milk effective in promoting nourishment and weight reduction.
4. It helps to prevent prostate cancer.
Soy milk is a rich source of phytoestrogen, a plant hormone that helps to prevent the production of testosterone in men. Studies show that reduced testosterone levels help to lower the risk of developing prostate cancer.
5. It helps to prevent postmenopausal syndrome.
The estrogen level in women decreases during menopause and this cause hormone imbalance. This can trigger a lot of problems including mood swings, depression and other psychological disorders.
The phytoestrogen in soy milk can help to boost the estrogen levels of women. Drinking soy milk on a regular basis is therefore a great way to alleviate postmenopausal syndromes.
