What Are the Benefits of Soy Milk for Women?

Soy milk comes plain as well as in flavors. Make soy milk or buy it in grocery and health food stores.

Soy milk is nutritious and drinking it can keep you youthful and healthy throughout your life, especially if you are a female who is perimenopausal or menopausal.

History

For centuries, soy milk has been made in Japan and China by soaking and crushing soybeans, then straining them. Soy milk is consumed hot, cold, or as a spicy soup.

Expert Insight

A 2005 study at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine in Tennessee showed consuming soy "may reduce the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women," especially right after menopause.

Effects

Dr. Christiane Northrup, a women's health expert, speaker and best-selling author of "The Wisdom of Menopause" says, "Soy helps regulate estrogen, so if you have too much estrogen relative to progesterone, soy will act as an estrogen blocker at the tissue level."

Benefits

According to Dr. Northrup, drinking soy milk adds a "superior form of protein" to your diet, balances hormones, protects bones, lowers cholesterol and strengthens brain function.

Warning

Judy Lindberg McFarland, nutritionist and owner of Lindberg Nutrition, recommends buying non-genetically modified soy milk. If a milk is non-GMO, the product will be labeled as such.

Talk to your doctor about any concerns with consuming soy products.

(See Resources 3)

References

• Soya: What is Soy Milk?
• Prospective Cohort Study of Soy Food Consumption and Risk of Bone Fracture among Postmenopausal Women
• Christiane Northrup, M.D.: Estrogen Dominance

Resources

• Nutritional and Health Benefits of Soy -- What's in a Bean?
• Healthy Wealthy and Wise: The Astounding Benefits of Soy
• Judy Lindberg McFarland: Importance of Protein for Beautiful Skin and Hair