Not only tasty, creamy and sweet, but soy milk has several benefits. It is known for being a healthy protein source to include in a balanced diet unless you are allergic to soy.
High sugar levels and processed additives have some negative side effects, calories and added sugars in soy milk vary from brand to brand. Furthermore, there are concerns about ingesting too much of some chemical compounds found in soybeans.
What are soy milk disadvantages? One of the major disadvantages of soy milk is that it does not work well with people who are allergic to soy products.
Soy milk is one of the most allergic drinks globally since it has protein compounds like glycinin and conglycinin that can trigger allergic reactions such as skin rashes and stomachaches. Furthermore, the presence of insoluble fibers in soy milk may cause some digestion discomfort like diarrhea and vomiting.
Drinking soy milk when one has diabetes can increase the risk of low blood sugar, especially for those under regular medication.
The presence of large amounts of oxalate may cause kidney stones, and antinutrients in soy milk like phytic acid may hinder the proper absorption of crucial nutrients such as zinc and magnesium.
Soy milk contains protein synthesis inhibitors that slow down the processing of amino acids in the gastrointestinal tract. These inhibitors may also affect the functioning of enzymes such as trypsin and chymotrypsin, which are essential in the digestion and absorption of protein.
In the breakdown of soy milk, some mucus is produced that coats the gastrointestinal tract and may cause respiratory problems such as asthma and sinus infection. This may result from GMO soy using crop modifications such as antibiotic resistance genes.
The disadvantages of soy milk will depend on individual dietary restrictions. Some people may exhibit the above symptoms, while others may not! Therefore, it’s good for one to know their body’s reaction toward soy products before consuming soy milk.
This article reveals some of the major negative impacts of soy milk that everyone should be cautious about. Answered below are frequently asked questions about the danger and side effects to avoid when consuming soy milk.
Why is soy milk bad for you?
In moderation, unsweetened soy milk offers encouraging benefits. In contrast, excess of most things are bad for you, and negative effects are felt by both females and males.
Depending on diet, lifestyle and amount of consumption, too much soy milk may be bad for you.
Isoflavone is an organic compound in soy milk that is associated with the following risks when elevated to high levels:
- Causes hormone imbalance that may contributor to cancer, such as breast, gastric and prostate cancer if a person has been previously diagnosed with estrogen receptors. [1, 2]
- Increases the risk of hypothyroidism since it causes thyroid impairment. [3]
- Depletes iodine levels which may cause diabetes, especially for people with low sugar level problems.
- Soy milk also has oxalates, one of the contributors to kidney stones. [4]
- Excessive soy milk intake may cause bloating due to its high protein content, which may also cause gas during digestion.
- May cause asthma and sinus due to the coating of the gastrointestinal tract by the mucus produced during the synthesis of soy milk.
- Negative associations have been shown between soy intake and risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. [5]
- Soy-based foods have been shown to negatively impact cognitive function. [6]
Side effects of soy milk
For people sensitive to soy based foods, consuming soy milk may trigger allergic reactions such as breathing difficulties, skin rashes and itching.
Pregnant women who consume soy milk at high levels may impact the baby’s development. [7]
When consumed with people who have been diagnosed with estrogen receptors, it may trigger mixed results in female breasts.
Other side effects of soy milk are kidney failure, thyroid impairment, kidney stones, and bladder cancer.
Can soy milk upset your stomach?
It depends on many factors, including the dietary restriction, the condition of soy milk (fresh or expired), the amount consumed, and the body sensitivity of a person.
Soy milk, especially highly processed varieties, have increased levels of sugar that are indigestible and insoluble fats that are not easily absorbed by the body. These sugars may cause gas and bloating that may cause stomach discomfort.
Also, people who are allergic to soy products may exhibit symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting that further upset the stomach.
Soy milk should be consumed fresh, and relies on successful storage methods to keep it from spoiling. Consuming expired soy milk may have the following side effects:
- mild stomach
- constipation
- bloating
- nausea
Does soy milk make you bloated?
Yes, soy milk may make you feel bloated. This is most common for anyone who has soy intolerance or allergy to soy products.
Non-GMO soy milk results in less discomfort, but heavily processed soy milk does make you feel bloated and gassy.
Processed soy contains loads of indigestible sugars like raffinose, and it also has healthy insoluble fats that are not easy to digest.
As a result, large consumption of soy milk may cause gas and bloat caused by indigestion in the stomach.
Why does soy milk make you bloated?
Soy milk contains many indigestible sugars, healthy fats, and organic compounds like oligosaccharides that the body has a difficult time to completely break down.
The unbroken molecules of these nutrients hang around the digestive tract until they ferment, causing bloating in the stomach.
In addition, the nutrients and soy proteins do not absorb easily into the body and cause inflammation in the digestive system that adversely affects the bloating effect.
Can soy milk cause constipation?
Yes, soy milk can cause constipation, especially for infants when consumed in a large amount.
Soy baby formulas can cause hard bowel movements since they lack hydrolyzed milk protein and have a large number of sugars that are not easily digestible. In infants, soy formula tends to make stools harder, worsening and leading to constipation.
Soy milk has high protein content and low fiber level, so consuming it excessively may lead to dehydration, making poop hard, dry and causing constipation.
Does soy milk make you poop?
No, soy milk does not make you poop. The protein in soy require excessive amounts of hydration and actually makes carbohydrates difficult to absorb. Therefore, high intake of soy milk can lead to constipation.
Excessive soy milk increases the amount of protein, which can cause dehydration causing hard and dry poop.
Adding fiber rich foods in excess of 30 g per day may reduce constipation when consuming soy milk on the side.
Some soy milk formula for babies, also known as hypoallergenic formulas, have moderately or hydrolyzed milk molecules that ease bowel movement.
Soy milk diarrhea
A person may have diarrhea immediately after consuming soy milk if they are allergic to soy products, consume in excess or if the soy milk was expired.
Diarrhea is caused by FPIES, which can be triggered by taking soy.
Some people are sensitive to digesting soy compounds and it triggers an overreaction from the body’s immune system. Symptoms like diarrhea and stomach discomfort are common characteristics. [8]
Furthermore, drinking bad spoiled soy milk also cause cramps and diarrhea. Always store soy milk properly, be aware of the expiration date and check if it has gone bad prior to drinking.
Does soy milk cause acne?
Yes, soy milk can cause acne. The main reason soy causes acne is that the estrogen hormones in the body result in hormonal distractions from the phytoestrogen plant chemical compounds.
The cause of acne lies with oil produced by the skin, bacteria and hormones that soy milk does possess. Therefore, soy milk can be a trigger for acne, but excessive consumption is required to make acne conditions worsen, especially with post-menopausal women.
Soy milk hinders the increase of estrogen levels by raising androgen levels, thus causing hormone imbalance. This makes glands yield more pore-clogging sebum, which may worsen the health condition of a person already battling acne.
Dangers of soy milk
Soy milk is known as a popular nondairy alternative milk, but there are dangers that everyone should be cautious of when adding to your everyday diet.
When consumed in excess, soy milk can have the following dangerous effects:
- Risk of kidney failure and stones due to an imbalance in sugars and high number of oxalates.
- Can cause diabetes, especially for people with low blood sugar.
- Lead to respiratory disorders like asthma and sinus due to coating the gastrointestinal tract with the mucus produced during the breakdown of soy.
- Hinder the body’s ability to synthesize protein due to protein inhibitors.
- The body may not absorb some primary nutrients such as zinc and magnesium.
- Produces an allergic reaction like vomiting, itching, skin rashes and breathing difficulties.
Negatives of Soy Milk: Conclusion
Soy milk has many nutritional advantages, but taking a look on the flip side is very important before considering before including the plant beverage in a regular diet.
First and foremost, body reaction after taking soy milk vary from one individual to another. Therefore, it may work well for one person and the opposite for another.
There are key areas to look into regarding soy milk including amount of intake, diet restriction, condition of the soy milk and body sensitivity.
Most negative side effects of soy milk come when it is consumed excessively. Natural unsweetened soy milk is better than processed soy milk since it has fewer sugars and fats.
Furthermore, source non-GMO types as there may be impact from genetically modified crops.
From the details in this article, we can conclude consuming soy milk in moderation does help to avoid most of the negative side effects mentioned. There are nutritional benefits, but if soy milk does not work well with your body than a nutritional expert can help you find an alternative.