Soy Drink also called ‘soy milk’, have become very popular in recent years. If before they were only thought to be for vegans and hippies, today they can be found in any supermarket and in many bars. Some of the reasons for this popularity is the search for vegan foods, control of fat consumption and concern about lactose intolerance.

Although new to the Western diet, soy drink is an ancestral drink among the Asian population. It is obtained by grinding soybeans and mixing them with water. Its makeup is almost the same as cow’s milk, but suitable for vegan diets, and consumers concerned about the carbon footprint generated by cattle.

In recent years, processing techniques have been developed that eliminate that raw legume flavor from the soy drink. Another way to make up the flavor is to incorporate other aromas, such as vanilla, strawberry, coconut, etc..

Soy Drink As A Good Alternative To Milk

Soy drink provides 3.2 grams of protein per 100 grams. This is an amount comparable to that of cow’s milk; however, it has half fat and, on top, with hardly any saturated fat (0.2 grams compared to more than 2 g in milk).

Cow’s milk boasts of almost all the essential amino acids, while soybeans have low levels of some, such as methionine.

On the downside, soy drink has a low content of calcium and vitamin D. Hence, most of the soy drinks sold are enriched with this mineral and this vitamin. As for carbohydrates, soy drink provides slightly more than cow’s milk (5.76 versus 4.7 of that of cow’s milk). Its advantage is the absence of lactose, the natural sugar in milk. This makes them an alternative to milk for people with lactose intolerance or mal-absorption.

Soy Drink is Good for menopause

More than two decades ago, soybean extract broke into non-pharmacological treatments of symptoms associated with menopause, such as hot flashes, nervousness or insomnia. Soy contains isoflavones, substances of plant origin with a chemical structure similar to estradiol (a type of estrogen), which falls sharply after menopause.

Soy estradiol is a phytoestrogen, however, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has not found a causal relationship between the consumption of these substances and the reduction of menopausal symptoms.

Also, Soy consumption has been attributed to have a protective effect against breast cancer and to decrease its incidence. There are, however, no conclusive studies of either of the two theories.

The Con Side Of The Trendy Drink

Soy is among the 14 allergens of mandatory declaration in foods. Therefore, despite being fashionable to offer it as a ‘healthy’ alternative to cow’s milk, it is important to note that replacing cow’s milk with soy drink without a strong health reason (like lactose intolerance or being a vegan), does not offer any remarkable health advantage.

Final Thoughts

In cultures, where it is common to accompany lunch or dinner with a glass of milk, soy drink can also be incorporated into that habit. However, since in the western culture, milk or its alternatives are not usually taken to accompany large meals as a drink, the most frequent combination is with coffee, tea or chocolate powder, although it is also an alternative for dessert preparation, shakes, etc.

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