Lactose intorelant? Try soy foods

“Soy meat and soy milk are great protein substitutes for meat for individuals on meat-restricted diets for example vegetarians and individuals with gout where meat intake should be limited,” she said.

With the many nutrients soy foods have, the following are some of the health benefits from their consumption.

Good for the lactose intolerant

Lactose intolerant people can use soy milk to substitute cow milk that naturally contains lactose. 

Nantege believes that with the soy milk, a person can still get calcium and protein as in cow milk and with an added advantage of low fat intake.

Soy foods provides a substitute to the milk, proteins and also eliminates allergic reactions and intolerances that may arise from actual milk,” says Julius Lwanga, a clinical nutritionist at Kampala Hospital.

Rich in proteins

At least 172 gramms of boiled soybeans boasts around 29 grams of protein. Nantege says a diet, rich in complete proteins, ensures efficient cell growth and proteins make our antibodies.

There is a downside to this though.

The main types of protein in soybeans are glycinin and conglycinin, which make up approximately 80 per cent of the total protein content. These proteins may trigger allergic reactions in some people according to healthline.com.

Hormone-related cancers

Studies have shown that daily consumption of soy foods have a role to play in preventing hormone-related cancers such as breast and prostate cancers because of the phytochemicals such as isoflavones and saponins they contain.

Diabetes

Soy is low in carbohydrates. This, according to Healthline, means that whole soybeans are very low on the glycemic index (GI), which is a measure of how foods affect the rise in blood sugar after a meal.

This makes soybeans suitable for people with diabetes.

Postmenopausal health

Soymilk provides relief from many postmenopausal health issues. Studies suggest that soy isoflavones may help in maintaining estrogen levels in menopausal women.

The isoflavones, according to Nantege, with the estrogen-like effect, has been seen to reduce menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and night sweats.

Intake of soymilk by post-menopausal women, according to kayawell may also assist in preventing maladies that may occur due to the natural loss of estrogen hormone.

Natural hormone replacement therapy with soy isoflavones may also improve retention of bone mass and density, and thereby reduce the risk of fracture in postmenopausal women.

Controls Obesity

Intake of soymilk, rich in isoflavones, helps lower metabolic obesity in men as well as post-menopausal women. Apart from this, according to kayawell, it helps in reducing waist circumference amongst obese and overweight individuals. The hormonal effects of soy isoflavones work to inhibit adipogenesis resulting in reduced enlargement of adipose tissue (central metabolic organ).

Those who consume soy isoflavones may not only benefit from the adipogenic effect but also the LDL-cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) lowering effects that help treat and prevent heart diseases.

Promotes immunity 

Soy foods contain minerals like Magnesium and Zinc and Vitamin C, which, according to Lwanga are important for immunity, giving your body a fighting chance against diseases or infections. These minerals, he said, are also important for nerve and muscle function, and wound healing respectively.

“Vitamin K is also important for blood clotting, preventing excess bleeding,” Lwanga said.

While soy food has all these benefits, one cannot rule out the fact that they could have a few hiccups to different beings.

According to Betterhealth.com, studies have shown the use of soy infant formula in healthy, full-term babies does not appear to be harmful. However, infant soy formula may be harmful to premature babies and should best avoided.

In regards to a child’s intake of certain food, parents is always advised to check with their doctor before administering it into the child’s meals.