Soya milk is a boon to all us health freaks. Over the past few years people are becoming more and more health conscious than ever before, and evidence is the statistics. Statistics of increasing number of food products stressing more on healthier aspects have become a rage, even fried stuffs are being claimed as being cholesterol and trans fat free!

With chips and bread or ready to eat food switching from refined flour to whole grain and multi grain options; and aerated drinks marketing on lower calorie counts the competition in health food sector is becoming cut throat by the day. Obviously this can’t be unless the consumer demand is shifting from mouth watering greasy unhealthy products to healthier options.

Adding soya products and soya milk in your fast food options or a healthy home meal can go miles in replenishing the nutritional contents in the body. Soya products like tofu, soya sauce, soya milk, roasted soya nuts are few healthier alternatives to be included in our diet chart. Once you are out you can add that extra scoop of soya ice cream or soya milk in  your latte, replace cottage cheese with tofu, or include roasted soya nuts in your munching schedule!

Soya milk is a better option than cow’s milk too, since it contains much less saturated fat and no cholesterol content at all when compared to whole milk. So it can be used as an alternative and be replaced in your morning glass of milk or be added in your morning coffee, or be churned to your favourite fruit smoothie. Options are plenty.

Soya products and its benefits are quite a few in number. It is helpful in reducing cholesterol, preventing cancer, reducing menopause symptoms, improving eye related problems and increasing glow to your face!

How to make soya milk at home

There are many blenders and soya milk makers available in the market from various brands if you want to make it practically every day. It is also available in small carton packs or money saver whole sale packs in the market. But if you are not happy with brands available in the market or find them an expensive option you try making soy milk at home too! It can be made very easily. Simply soak soya beans overnight and next day you can grind them with water. Strain the fluid to remove the residue from the preparation, and your soy milk is ready!

Nutritional value

Soy milk is considered to be a very nutritive option, but what is less known is that it is a great stress buster too. It is an excellent source of protein for all the vegetarian people; also it has additional supplements of Vitamin B and is rich in isoflavones which has many protective functions. Also unlike cow’s or any animals’ milk, soya milk prevents calcium loss from bones, thus preventing the chances of osteoporosis or any bone related disease.

Photo Credit: Thirstyblogger.com

The calorie count in soya milk is much low when compared to cow’s whole milk. It also has more than 25% Vitamin B1 which aides in digestion and absorption of nutrients by the body and also assists in improved learning capacity and mental sharpness of an individual; while riboflavin in soya milk aides in formation of red blood cells and cell respiration. It also assists in growth and reproduction.

Happy heart

Soya milk is very popular with heart patients. Doctors’ limit the intake of dairy products for heart patients, and rather ask to substitute with a 200 ml of soya milk every day. It has its health benefits. Soya milk prevents the deposit of plaque in the arterial walls. Also they reduce the total cholesterol level in the body, which can by and large prevent chances of another heart attack. These attributes of soya milk are also dedicated to phytoestrogens like isoflavones and saponins.

Diabetic diet

Soya milk is considered a very healthy option for diabetes patient since it has very low glycemic index, owing to complex carbohydrate structures present in it. It does not stimulate the blood sugar levels in excess.

Prevention of Cancer

Isoflavones in soya act as phytoestrogens for the body. It reduces the cancer related estrogen levels and helps reducing it or at least stops it from growing further. They compete with natural estrogens in our body to bind with the receptors on the cell, thus preventing the risk of developing cancer.

Consumption of soy milk is known to be protective against hormone related cancers like breast cancer, prostate cancer, colon cancer etc. Isoflavones interfere with growth of blood vessels, thus they are known to have antiangiogenic activity, which is important to work as an anticancer agent.

For lactose intolerant

Soya milk is like a divine intervention for all you lactose intolerant people. From yoghurts to ice creams and soy milks are all available very readily in the market. These are free from lactose and highly enriched in calcium. Apart from the calcium factor which is generally externally added, soya milk by nature is rich in all the essential amino acids in right balance.

Got a problem with taste

If your taste buds are not very soy friendly, you can switch to flavoured options. Fruit flavours and other flavours are available in the market, or you can churn a fruit pulp or add some juice to your soy milk. This will not only give it a great taste but also make it a healthier and more nutritional option. This value adding option will soothe your taste buds just right along with added nutritional content.

Soya Power

Power of soya is surely unbeatable. Being the only plant protein available naturally, it is the centre of attraction. All the animal products though rich in protein, are also rich in cholesterol and saturated fats along with calcium. While soya milk is free from any such baggage. Soya milk has also powerful antioxidants and organic compounds which are beneficial for the body. It is also rich in vitamins E and B12. Vitamin E acts as a natural antioxidant, while B1 is needed to metabolise carbohydrates, and is essential for growth in children.

Photo Credit: Beautynstyle.net