Soy Milk and Weight Loss

For years, people with casein allergies or lactose intolerance have been consuming soy milk as an alternative to regular cow's milk. However, as people become more interested in health and nutrition, many people are looking to soy milk as a healthy way to lose weight.

Facts

Soy milk is not really milk. It is made by crushing soy beans and blending them with water to form a pale white liquid. It is a popular substitute formula for infants who experienced lactose intolerance and can't drink milk-based formulas. Processing techniques help reduce the beany taste and give it more of a cow's milk texture. Most of the soy milk available today is flavored to help make it more palatable.

Nutrition

A cup of soy milk contains about 7 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrate, 4 g of fat and no cholesterol. It doesn't provide a significant amount of calcium, and although it does contain some B vitamins, it doesn't contain much B12. As a result, most soy milk is fortified to make up for these deficiencies. Cow's milk, by comparison, contains about 8 g of protein and 12 g of carbohydrate per cup, and it is a rich source of other nutrients as well.

Analysis

Soy milk is a good source of protein and is cholesterol free. It contains isoflavones, which are chemicals similar to the hormone estrogen. Isoflavones can reduce menopausal symptoms, preserve bone density and reduce the risk of diabetes, according to Howard N. Hodis, M.D., University of Southern California. However, soy milk contains substances called phytates, which some people believe can block the body's uptake of certain minerals. Phytoestrogen is also present, which may affect the production of sperm in men, as well as decrease the amount of testosterone in their bodies.

Weight Loss

Studies performed by Elvira de Mejia, assistant professor at the University of Illinois, were performed in which mice were injected with a type of soy protein. They demonstrated that not only did the rats feel full sooner, but their metabolism was also altered, resulting in increased weight loss. Another study involving adult males conducted by Harvey Anderson, University of Toronto, found that the participants experienced reduced appetite after being fed 60 g of soy protein.

Final Word

Initial results of studies look promising for the use of soy milk to help you lose weight. But remember that nothing contributes to safe and long-term weight loss more than eating nutritionally balanced meals throughout the day, watching your caloric intake and getting yourself on a good workout regimen. After you consult with your doctor, of course.