Soy milk: benefits and harms, calorie content, composition

Soy milk: benefits and harms, how to use, recommended quantities, diseases for which the product is undesirable to use. These and many other questions are of interest to those who want to replace cow's milk with a drink or simply lose unwanted pounds. Discussions about the positive and negative aspects of the product have been going on for years, because along with useful components, the composition contains undesirable ones. Manufacturers correct the product’s shortcomings by adding calcium, but some points should still be taken into account before purchasing a package of the drink. Information on how to choose the right one, who should not use it, what are the benefits for the human body and what can replace this ingredient from Asian cuisine is given in the text below.

Technological process of soy milk production

History of soy milk

The production of a drink from a legume called soy began in the second century (AD) in the Asian state of China. According to history, the idea of ​​creating a product came to the mind of the Eastern thinker Liu An. The reason why the man ground soybeans and made a drink from the resulting powder that looked similar to milk was because his mother had lost her teeth. The elderly woman loved beans, but could not eat them, and her thinking son came to the rescue.

For many centuries, Europeans did not know about the existence of soy milk, and only in 39 of the last century the drink was presented to the whole world by Harry Miller - now industrial production began. It was during this period that the vegetarian trend in food became widespread and the product began to have consumers. Nowadays, all over the world there are more than one thousand people who regularly drink this drink in its pure form or use it as an ingredient in dishes due to its large number of beneficial properties.

At-risk groups

There are special groups of people for whom the consumption of plant-based soy milk is undesirable or prohibited. Firstly, these are those who have an identified tendency to form certain types of tumor diseases, including estrogen-dependent ones.

We have already talked about complications when pregnant women use the product; harm can also occur to infants. It can harm children even at an older age, since it negatively affects the development of internal secretion organs, phytoestrogens, and can also slow down not only physical but also mental development.

While soy milk helps older women overcome menopause, it causes early menstruation in girls during puberty. At one of the conferences, the dependence of the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease on the consumption of soy products, as well as male infertility, was noted.

How is soy milk made?

The technology for making soy milk includes the following stages:

• soybeans are ground;
• the beans are soaked in water (the ratio of components in the mixture (grains/liquid) in parts is 1:4; 1:8; 1:12) after mixing with the help of specialized blades;
• filtered (the resulting sediment is used as livestock feed);
• boil at one hundred and fifty degrees Celsius;
• poured into specialized containers that ensure tightness and protect from light.

Over the millennia, the process of obtaining this product has not changed much: this scheme was also used by Chinese and Japanese farmers. High temperature treatment prevents the risk of microorganisms multiplying inside the packaging, so unopened containers can be stored for up to twelve months, and opened for seven days.

Calorie content and composition of soy milk

The undeniable advantage of a non-milk product over traditional forms of milk is its low calorie content due to the low fat content in its chemical composition. Before calculating the calorie content of a dish, you should take into account the value given on the packaging, because for different manufacturers the values ​​​​depend on the presence of additives in the product. The average value ranges from 45 to 60 kilocalories per hundred grams of product (numbers correspond to grams):

• proteins/2.94;
• fat/1.99;
• carbohydrates/3.05;
• dietary fiber/0.4;
• water/85.6;
• ash substances/0.64.

The vitamin and mineral composition of soy milk is presented in the table:

Chemical composition of soybean product

The product is rich in vitamins and minerals, but do not forget about the presence of other components, which in some cases have a negative effect on the body.

Soy milk can be consumed by vegans and people allergic to lactose

How to properly consume soy milk

This product can be used as a vegetable alternative to goat milk or for preparing various desserts, cereals, soups, and also used in its pure form. It is worth remembering that the product has its own benefits for the body, but with excessive or prolonged use it can leave a negative imprint.

Characteristics:

• neutral in taste;
• presence of a slight nutty odor.

Due to the presence of glutamic acid in the composition, when sugars, cinnamon, honey and other additional components are added, the flavor is fully developed.

How much can you drink per day

Excessive use of the drink can cause metabolic disorders and disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine system, which is highly undesirable for people under the age of sixteen. This product should be used by adults with strict adherence to quantities and with caution, in the presence of acute forms of chronic diseases only after consultation with a doctor.

Standards for use of the product in its pure form are given in the table:

There are some groups of people for whom the use of the product is highly undesirable (see below).

Is it possible to drink soy milk during fasting?

During Lent, Christians should abstain from consuming products obtained from animals. Since soy milk is not significantly related to the traditional forms obtained from cows and goats, this product is not prohibited for consumption during fasting. Due to the high content of high-quality proteins, the drink can fully replace the meat component of the kitchen, but you should not abuse it, exceeding the recommended quantities, and switch to systematic long-term use.

Is it possible to have soy milk for pancreatitis?

The product made from soybeans is easy to digest, which plays a special role in pancreatic diseases, without creating additional stress on the organ. Compared to traditional types of milk - cow's, goat's - consumption does not lead to bloating, flatulence and other complications due to the lack of fat in the product. Despite the undoubted benefits, the product can negatively affect the body with this disease due to:

• presence of plant fiber;
• possible genetic modification of the crop;
• the presence of phytic acid (removes minerals);
• flavoring and aromatic additives.

To avoid side effects of the product, it is advisable to prepare the milk yourself, because the manufacturing process is extremely simple. Recommendations are given in the table:

Experts recommend drinking not a pure drink if you have pancreatitis, but preparing dishes from it. The maximum amount that can be obtained per day from food if you are ill is two hundred milliliters.

Use for type 2 diabetes

Diabetes happens:

• first type;
• second type;
• gestational.

The first is classified as a disease characteristic of childhood patients, the second is an adult disease, and the third is acquired by women during gestation (pregnancy). The main differences between the first and second are the level of glucose in the circulatory system (with the second higher) and the production of insulin - with the first the hormone is produced, with the second - partially. An increased sugar content means the need for constant monitoring of the diet. Experts recommend drinking soy milk for type 2 diabetes, but with the following recommendations:

• only after consultation with a nutritionist;
• start with small quantities;
• not advisable before bedtime (preferably in the morning or afternoon);
• condition monitoring;
• the maximum amount per day is two glasses.

This drink promotes weight loss, does not contain cholesterol, the protein is similar to meat and can replace meat, but you should not go on a diet and take only soy milk - this will lead to a lack of nutrients in the blood and leaching of minerals. If you have diabetes, you should not exceed the recommended daily amounts of the product.

Soy improves body function

What it is

Soy milk is a white liquid with a slight bean aroma and a sweetish taste. It is made from specially soaked soybeans, pureed, filtered and brought to a boiling point.

Soy milk was first produced in China, and today it is more popular and in demand in Asia and North America. Here it is an inexpensive alternative to cow's milk.

Important! The color and taste of milk is really similar to cow's milk, but it does not contain milk sugar, and this is important for anyone who is lactose intolerant.

Every year, soybean plantations increase by thousands of hectares; they are used to make meat substitutes, tofu cheese and milk.

Recommended reading: Health Benefits of Tofu Cheese

Benefits and harms for the human body

The filtrate from soybeans soaked in water and pureed has an ambiguous effect on the human body. The complete absence of certain substances can have a positive effect on some groups of people and leave a negative imprint on others. The product should be used with caution, in compliance with standards and recommendations, and preferably after consultation with a specialist. The positive aspects are expressed by the following effects:

• rejuvenating thanks to the antioxidants present in the chemical composition;
• prevention of certain cancer diseases;
• stabilization of blood lipid profile;
• improvement of blood vessels due to the polyunsaturated fatty acids contained;
• preventing the occurrence of osteoporosis.

Negative effects in the form of:

• metabolic and hormonal disorders due to the high content of phytoestrogens;
• Isoflavones, useful during menopause, can cause early menstruation in childhood;
• impaired function of the endocrine system in men who are not overweight;
• mineral deficiency;
• early birth or early miscarriage during pregnancy

Do not rush into panic and draw conclusions about the obvious negative impact of the product. When consuming moderate quantities and strictly observing contraindications, the positive effect will not take long.

The influence of the origin of the product on its properties

There can be no discussion about whether milk from legumes is healthy without taking into account the origin of the beans. Soybeans grown on an industrial scale outside of Russia are classified as genetically modified products. This allows you to avoid many diseases in plants and make them resistant to adverse natural factors. But the possible use of large doses of fertilizers increases the risk of substances potentially harmful to the body accumulating in soybeans. Manufacturers must indicate on products that they contain GMOs, but they do not always do this.

Soybeans tend to absorb and accumulate mercury and lead from the environment. Therefore, even natural soybeans can be dangerous if they were grown in a region with an unfavorable environmental situation or if excessive amounts of fertilizer were used.

Soy milk powder

The milk powder production system is multi-stage, so consumption is highly undesirable in the presence of pancreatitis and other diseases in acute and chronic forms. After filtration, the sediment is sent as feed for livestock, and part of the purified liquid is used for the production of a concentrated component (milk powder), producing:

• thickening;
• homogenization;
• drying.

Thus, the dry form does not differ in properties from the liquid form; it is a concentrated powder that can also be used by dissolving in water. Manufacturers often add various flavoring and aromatic substances and preservatives to impart new properties and extend shelf life.

Characteristics:

• gluten, cholesterol free;
• amino acids and antioxidants in the composition;
• complete digestibility;
• prevents the occurrence of diseases associated with the cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Harm and contraindications of soy milk

In addition to substances that have a positive effect on the human body, the drink contains compounds that can cause harm if the recommendations are not followed:

• phytoestrogens;
• phytic acid.

The former are dangerous because they affect the thyroid gland and metabolic processes. If used in childhood or during pregnancy or breastfeeding, there is a high probability of hormonal changes. Phytic acid is able to bind to minerals and remove them from the body, which, with prolonged use, can provoke a deficiency of calcium and other minerals. Manufacturers strive to eliminate this deficiency by artificially enriching them with elements, but this does not mean that the recommendations should not be followed.

Contraindications:

• childhood;
• diseases related to the thyroid gland;
• period of pregnancy, breastfeeding;
• tumors;
• oncological diseases.

Side effects:

• disruption of the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract;
• digestive disorders;
• disruption of redox processes in the circulatory system;
• decreased absorption of protein substances;
• negative effect on the pancreas.

How to make soy milk at home

Soy milk can serve as an alternative to traditional forms of milk. Despite the fact that the product has nothing to do with cow's or goat's milk, the finished dishes have a similar taste.

Soy milk recipe

Natural soy milk without preservatives, dyes, flavors, or sugars can be used as an ingredient in cooking or cosmetic purposes. A product prepared with your own hands will give you confidence in the composition.

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• soybeans/two hundred grams;
• water/one liter.

Manufacturing instructions:

1. Combine soybeans with water and leave for six to twelve hours. The water should be changed every two hours. This will help avoid saturating the milk with extraneous flavors. The husks that fall on top should be removed.
2. After the specified time period, the culture will increase in size; it must be washed well with water before the next stage.
3. Place the resulting mass in a blender container, add water so that it covers the surface of the soybeans.
4. Place the puree mass in a heat-resistant bowl and put on fire, bring to a boil, cook for twenty-five minutes, eliminating any foam that forms.
5. Place several layers of gauze on the neck of a liter or two-liter container, pass the resulting mass through the gauze, and squeeze it out.
6. The yield is six hundred milliliters, the storage time in a dark place protected from sunlight is 72 hours.

Pancakes with soy milk

Traditions of use

Soy food product has been used since ancient times. Nowadays it is very fashionable among vegetarians. For people who have given up consuming animal foods, it replaces cow's or goat's milk.

The interesting thing is that we are gradually beginning to use the heritage of our ancestors. Even food traditions are starting to come back. In Europe, peasants made delicious milk from hazel and walnut. In Siberia - from cedar cones. In China - from soybeans. All types of plant drinks were a complete replacement for animals. Especially when there was a fast or there was an unexpected loss of livestock.

The value of any food product for the body is determined by its calorie content. Knowing it, you can competently build a diet. The calorie content of soy milk is low: only fifty-four kilocalories per liter. That is why it is used for sports diets and for weight loss. In organoleptic analysis, it differs little from the animal. This is why field areas have been increasing, especially in the last ten years. And during the same time, the industry began to produce significantly more food products based on soybeans.

This is interesting

If earlier the consumption of soy milk was widespread in East Asia, then since 1939, when its industrial production began, it has spread to different countries, including Europe. When veganism became fashionable in the USA, Brazil, Argentina, plant-based milk came to South and North America, and from Europe “migrated” to Africa. In our country, from 1989-1990, stores began to open in different regions where they began to sell bean products.

Recipes using soy milk

Pancakes with soy milk

The recipe is suitable for use during Lent. Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• wheat flour/glass;
• milk/two glasses;
• sunflower oil/one hundred milliliters;
• vanilla/optional;
• salt/pinch;
• sugar/two tablespoons;
• baking powder/one teaspoon.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Mix flour with salt and sugar.
2. Separately, mix soy milk with vegetable oil, stir, add soda dissolved with apple cider vinegar, stir.
3. Combine the two mixtures, beat with a mixer or blender.
4. Heat a frying pan, grease with oil, bake pancakes on both sides.

Soy milk pancakes

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• wheat flour/glass;
• milk/glass;
• sunflower oil/two tablespoons;
• vanilla/optional;
• salt/pinch;
• sugar/to taste;
• baking soda/quarter teaspoon;
• apple cider vinegar/teaspoon.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Mix milk with flour, salt, sugar, vanillin, baking powder, beat with a blender until homogenized.
2. Heat a frying pan, grease with oil, bake the pancakes until cooked on both sides.

Omelet with soy milk

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• chicken egg/one piece;
• soybean milk/four hundred milliliters;
• salt/to taste;
• butter/ten grams.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Grease the mold with butter.
2. Place the ingredients (eggs, salt) in a bowl, stir, add milk.
3. Pour the mixture into a mold, place in an oven preheated to one hundred and eighty degrees, bake for twenty minutes.

Soy milk curd

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• lemon juice/two tablespoons;
• water/tablespoon;
• soybean milk/one liter.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Heat the milk without bringing it to a boil.
2. Add a tablespoon of water to the lemon juice.
3. Pour lemon juice and water into milk.
4. Cover the mixture and leave for twenty minutes.
5. When the milk has curdled, place the resulting mass in a cotton cloth and squeeze out.
6. Keep the cottage cheese in the sheet, placing a weight on top, for another thirty minutes.
7. When excess liquid comes out, the curd is ready.

You can read about the benefits and harms of cottage cheese on this page: https://kosarev39.ru/tvorog-polza-i-vred.html.

Soy milk cheese

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• citric acid/two grams;
• soy milk/two glasses.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Soy milk, place on fire, cook for ten minutes.
2. Pour citric acid into the resulting mass and stir.
3. Cover the mixture and leave for twenty minutes.
4. When the milk has curdled, place the resulting mass in a cotton cloth and squeeze out.
5. Keep the cheese in the sheet, placing a weight on top, for another thirty minutes.
6. When excess liquid comes out, the cheese is ready.

Porridge with soy milk

Harmful properties of milk analogue

They say that distilled water will be harmful if you drink a whole bucket. The same can be said about any other product, medicine, substance. It is useful for some, contraindicated for others, and for others it is prescribed in limited quantities.

Therefore, soy milk has both benefits and harm at the same time. In addition to the properties that cause admiring reviews of its use, there are cases when its use is prohibited or limited. Let's take a closer look.

Plant products contain compounds that can disrupt the normal course of certain physiological processes.

For example, some people experience problems with the digestion of food and stomach upsets. Researchers note that in large quantities, soy extract provokes the clumping of red blood cells, which reduces the efficiency of oxygen transfer by the blood and removal of carbon dioxide from the body.

Soybean pulp contains phytic acid. It negatively affects the absorption of the following metal ions by cells: Zn, Mg, Fe, Ca. A study of this herbal drink showed that it slightly reduces the digestibility of protein compounds, and also worsens the functioning of the pancreas in some cases.

Those who have abnormalities in tests for thyroid hormones need to know that soy isoflavone reduces production, and leads to hormonal disorders even in pregnant women.

It is very important to know where the soybeans from which the milk was made were grown.

Almost all legumes of this type that grow in foreign fields are from genetically modified seed material. Therefore, some researchers believe that “artificially created” seeds disrupt the immune system and can be allergens.

There is one more feature of soybeans: during the process of growth and ripening, it “captures and stores” some poisons from the soil, for example, mercury derivatives and lead compounds. There is only one conclusion: not only “transgenic”, but also the most ordinary soybean, if it grows in an area that is problematic from an environmental point of view, or if fertilizers were abused during cultivation, can be hazardous to health.

note

Milk and other soy products cannot be full-fledged “substitutes” for animal protein, and they also do not contain enough copper and zinc compounds, while iron is in a non-heme state, so it is difficult to absorb.

Recipes for porridge with soy milk

Rice porrige

The scheme is similar to a dairy product. Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• rice cereal/fifty grams;
• water/one hundred milliliters;
• soybean milk/two hundred milliliters;
• butter/ten grams;
• salt/pinch;
• sugar/to taste.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Rinse the cereal, combine with water, salt, sugar, cook for twenty minutes.
2. Pour soy milk into the mixture and cook until tender.
3. Remove from heat, brush with butter.

Semolina

The scheme is similar to a dairy product. Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• semolina / four tablespoons;
• water/tablespoon;
• soybean milk/five hundred milliliters;
• butter/ten grams;
• salt/pinch;
• sugar/to taste.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Pour milk over the cereal, add water, salt, sugar, and set aside for ten minutes.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil, cook for three minutes with the lid closed.
3. Remove from heat, brush with oil.

Oatmeal

The scheme is similar to a dairy product. Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• oatmeal/one hundred and twenty grams;
• soybean milk/three hundred milliliters;
• butter/ten grams;
• salt/pinch;
• sugar/to taste.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Combine the cereal with milk, salt, sugar and cook for twenty minutes.
2. Remove from heat when ready, brush with butter.

Soy milk drinks

Coffee with soy milk

Serves as an alternative to the traditional one during Lent. Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• coffee beans/one teaspoon;
• cold water/two hundred milliliters;
• sugar/to taste;
• soy milk/one teaspoon.

Cooking instructions:

1. Grind the beans by placing them in a coffee grinder.
2. Place water in a pot, add ground coffee, place on fire, and brew the drink.
3. First add the required amount of sugar to the finished coffee, and then add the milk component.

Soy milk with vanilla

To make vanilla-infused soybean milk, follow the homemade recipe above. You need to add vanilla to the finished mass.

Cocoa with soy milk

A drink made from soy milk will not yield to the taste of cow milk.

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• cocoa/no more than two tablespoons;
• soy milk/five hundred milliliters;
• sugar/to taste.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Pour the milk into a small container, put it on the fire, heat it up without boiling.
2. Mix the specified amount of cocoa with the required amount of sugar, add a little boiling water, stir.
3. Combine the milk with the prepared mixture of cocoa and sugar, place on the fire, boil, removing the foam.

Soy milk kefir

The manufacturing process is similar to cow's milk.

Components that will need to be prepared and measured in advance:

• soy milk/liter;
• kefir of any fat content/two tablespoons.

Cooking instructions include the following step-by-step steps:

1. Measure out the milk and place it in a jar.
2. Pour in kefir and stir.
3. Place the mixture, covered with a lid, in a warm place.
4. After twelve to eighteen hours, enjoy the finished kefir.

Is it possible to cook it yourself?

Peasant families in China and Japan regularly prepared the herbal drink themselves. The modern industrial process follows a similar chain of actions: pre-soaking the beans, grinding, boiling, squeezing. It is proposed to perform them manually or using simple household appliances.

• the raw materials are soaked for 6-12 hours. Change the water periodically;
• The soaked beans are turned into a pulp and filled with water. The volume of water is 2 times the amount of raw materials;
• cook over low heat for 40 minutes, strain.

The second option for obtaining milk at home is using “soy boiler or soy cow”. The process takes place with useful control of the amount of components (water, beans using a measuring cup), knowledge of the output volumes. A special program controls all stages and sounds a sound signal at the end of the work. From 90 g of dry beans (pre-soaked), 1200 ml of water, you get 900 ml of drink.

Soy milk in cosmetology

The chemical composition of the product is able to provide the body with nutrients not only from the inside, but also when used externally. Effect on the epidermis due to the isoflavones contained:

• rejuvenating;
• protective;
• elimination of greasy shine;
• elimination of bruises, dark circles (just moisten a cotton pad and leave it in the area around the eyes for ten minutes).

To make masks for use on the face, only homemade milk should be used; additives added to the industrial product can cause allergic reactions. Straining is not necessary when using the drink for cosmetic purposes.

Face and décolleté mask

Before mixing, measure out the following ingredients:

• two tablespoons of soy milk;
• twenty milliliters of lemon juice;
• two tablespoons of olive oil.

Preparation: Wash the lemon, remove the peel, squeeze the juice through cheesecloth, add milk and oil heated to forty degrees (a water bath is suitable for heating), stir until homogenized.

Application: Apply the resulting mixture to the steamed, cleansed epidermis, leave for fifteen minutes, remove with a damp cloth.

Result: Lightening, elimination of pigmentation, nutrition.

How to choose and store correctly

If you cannot prepare the drink yourself, you can use the resources of retail chains, taking into account the following:

• the presence of sugars, color, taste, and smell enhancers is undesirable;
• the presence of the entry “isolated soya protein” indicates a low-quality product; you should not purchase such a product;
• the addition of vitamins and minerals is encouraged to enrich the composition;
• sunlight has a negative effect on a product rich in vitamins, so the container must be airtight and opaque;
• compliance with the expiration date.

If the product meets these requirements, after opening the packaging must be closed to protect it from air and placed in the refrigerator. The drink should be stored in this state for no longer than seven days. Products that do not meet the expiration date should not be consumed.

Storage Features

Homemade soy milk can be stored at room temperature for no more than 6 hours. It keeps in the refrigerator for 3 days. The shelf life of tofu is extended to 3 weeks by freezing. During long-term storage, its taste changes: the cheese becomes hard and acquires the structure of a sponge.

There is a dry product on sale, pasteurized, concentrated versions from different manufacturers. When choosing milk, it is recommended to know where it was produced and choose natural milk without additives. In this case, it will diversify the diet in the family and be beneficial.

Reviews

There are various reviews about soy milk on the Internet, the negative ones are associated with the dishonesty of manufacturers: buyers complain about the presence of sugar, the taste of water and other shortcomings of some brands. Before purchasing, you should carefully study the composition, giving preference to natural products with a sign of the absence of genetic modification (GMO). The Alpro brand is recommended by 100% of buyers, the average rating on various sites is 4.9 out of 5.0.

Irina, 35 years old

For an allergic child with lactose and gluten intolerance, you have to carefully select ingredients for preparing dishes. To add variety to my diet, I purchased soy milk, which I heard a lot of good things about from a friend. First impression: tasty, healthy drink, did not cause allergies. I will definitely buy again, I recommend.

Maxim, 45 years old

Having seen soy milk on sale in the Magnit chain, I bought it out of interest. I didn’t expect such a taste from soy; it contains sugar, which is a slight minus. My wife made pancakes from the drink, which surprised me - they weren’t much different from those made with milk. I recommend.

Maria, 50 years old

I heard about the benefits of soy milk for women and decided to try it. It's more expensive than cow's milk, but it's worth it. The product does not contain cholesterol, which plays a special role for me due to heart disease, and it tastes good. I recommend.

Conclusion

1. Soy milk does not contain cholesterol and fat, which is an advantage over goat and cow milk - a particular benefit for those who want to lose extra pounds and those suffering from heart disease.
2. The chemical composition contains high-quality proteins, which are similar in structure and properties to animals, and therefore are easily absorbed by the human body.
3. Soy milk does not contain lactose, the milk sugar that is not tolerated by a large percentage of people, and also contains a small amount of gluten, which can cause allergic reactions. Both properties are beneficial for people prone to allergies.
4. Feed soybeans are genetically modified to increase yield. Other varieties of plants are used to make milk, so the packaging must have a corresponding inscription.
5. The drink contains phytoestrogens and female hormones, which limits the possibility of use in children and other groups of people.

How to make the right choice

Despite such high popularity in the world, soy milk is not always found on the counter. And therefore you need to choose it quite carefully.

It is available in dry form (powdered), bottled (pasteurized) and canned. In addition to the fact that we must look at the label for the region where the soybeans were grown, we need to pay attention to the composition. Ideally it should say: soy extract (and percentage) and water (percentage). When flavorings or substances that impart a sweet taste are indicated, you need to think about whether or not to take such a product. However, when the list of ingredients contains vitamins, calcium compounds and mineral supplements, then this is what we need.

If you read: “Isolated soya protein,” this is a low-quality product. Avoid milk in clear packaging because light destroys the nutrients.

The opened container is stored in the refrigerator. But only for 3-6 days. Special storage recommendations are indicated on the label.

As for dry soybean powder, sometimes it is more convenient to use, and in terms of value and usefulness it is not inferior to bottled powder. Therefore, it is successfully used as a nutritious product by many, especially those who adhere to a vegetarian diet.

The peculiarity of dry milk is that manufacturers add the missing vitamins and microelements to it and make it closer in properties to full-fledged cow's milk, while maintaining hypoallergenic properties and low calorie content. In appearance, it is a light cream-colored powder with a nutty aroma.

True, you need to learn how to prepare this milk mixture correctly. For a glass of water or hot tea/coffee you need five to six small spoons of powder (without a slide). A few seconds - and you will have a tasty and healthy drink on your table.