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The Benefits of Consuming Soya milk- A Review

Article · January 2015

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Rajni Kant Arif, Albrecht Broadway

Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology Jammu Sam Higginbottom University of Agriculture, Technology and Sciences
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Trends in Biosciences 8(5), Print : ISSN 0974-8, 1159-1162, 2015

The Benefits of Consuming Soya Milk- A Review

RAJNI KANT* AND ARIF. A. BROADWAY**
Department of Dairy Technology, Warner School of Food and Dairy Technology, Sam
Higginbottom Institute of Agriculture, Technology and Science (Formerly Allahabad
Agricultural Institute) (Deemed University) Allahabad- 211007, Uttar Pradesh, India.
email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT As such, the Food Standards Agency

In recent years, buffalo’s milk and its derived recommends that milk and other dairy products
products have suffered poor public perception. People should be consumed daily as part of a healthy
believe it to be high in fat and energy, with consequent balanced diet (FSA, 2011).
negative health effects. In addition, heightened The purported health benefits of milk
awareness of intolerant and allergic symptoms consumption:
arising from buffalo’s milk consumption has led those
affected to look for alternatives. Milk has been part of  A rich supply of nutrients, vitamins and
our staple diet since the agricultural revolution, so minerals
eliminating its consumption has nutritional  Optimal bone health
consequences. Milk supplies an economical source  Improved blood cholesterol
of nutrients and confers numerous health benefits: it
 Protection against cardiovascular disease
plays a critical role in nutrition and health. Avoidance
of buffalo’s milk may not be the only option for those  Reduced colon cancer risk
who experience side effects to it. Soya milk, with its  Reduced blood pressure
unique composition, could be a valuable alternative. A  Body weight regulation
number of recent scientific studies have examined
differences between buffalo’s and soya milk.  Protection of tooth enamel
Disparities in their fat, protein and sugar composition  Reduced risk of type 2 diabetes
may explain why an increasing number of soya milk The association between milk consumption
consumers report significant health benefits and bone health has long been established. Milk
including improved cardiovascular disease, cancer, consumption promotes bone health due to the
postmenopausal symptoms and consequences, calcium it contains; one 200ml glass of soya milk
although other diseases and conditions have been
provides 29% of the UK dietary reference value of
examined.
protein for an adult. Optimal protein intake is critical
in achieving optimal bone development. Not
Key words Benefits; Soya milk; Fat; Protein;
achieving optimal bone development is a risk factor
Nutrient.
for osteoporosis (NOS, 2011). The association
between milk consumption and bone health was
Milk is a naturally valuable source of vitamins demonstrated in a study in New Zealand (Goulding,
and minerals such as vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin et al., 2004). The fracture risk in children was
B12, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, 34.8% in those that avoided milk compared to 13%
phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and potassium (FSA, who consumed it. A recent UK National Health and
2002). Some milk, like soya milk, naturally contains Examination survey suggested it was not possible
these proteins. There is continued debate as to for adolescents to achieve calcium requirements
whether purified proteins that are added to food whilst meeting other nutrient demands when
confer the same health benefits as whole foods. consuming a dairy free diet (Gao, et al., 2006).
There is increasing evidence to suggest that
consuming whole foods has additive and synergistic The fats or fatty acids within milk are often a
health benefits (Lui, 2003). In addition to the cause for concern. However, not all fats are the
essential proteins it contains, other health benefits same, so whilst some have negative health
of consuming milk are widely recognized. implications, consumption of others can have
1160 Trends in Biosciences 8 (5), 2015

positive health benefits. One fatty acid present within from it like milk, sauce, paneer etc. Soya products
milk is conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA has are increasingly becoming popular especially
been shown to have beneficial health effects; it may amongst health conscious people. This product has
protect against cancer, improve blood cholesterol potential in states like; Maharashtra, MP, and Gujarat
and protect against coronary heart disease (Huth, etc. But this note considers Madhya Pradesh as
et al., 2006). the preferred location.
Dairy consumption itself has been associated Soya milk is rich in isoflavones. The presence
with reduced colon cancer risk and a reduction in of isoflavones is the most important and unique
inflammatory markers that are important risk benefit of soya milk. Each cup of soya milk contains
factors for cardiovascular disease (Zemel and Sun, about 20 mg isoflavones (mainly genistein and
2006 and Slattery, et al., 1997). Research has daidzein). Cow’s milk does not contain isoflavones.
shown that low fat dairy products reduce high blood Isoflavones have many health benefits including
pressure. reduction of cholesterol, easing of menopause
symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis and
Despite public opinion that consumption of
reduction of risk for certain cancers (prostate
dairy products contributes to weight gain, research
cancer and breast cancer). Incidents of these
has shown that dairy products, and in particular
cancers are very low in countries with high intake
calcium, play a role in body weight regulation. In
of soya products, including soya milk. Isoflavones
the CARDIA (Coronary Artery Risk Development
are also antioxidants which protect our cells and
In young Adults) study, low dairy consumption was
DNA against oxidation.
associated with increased obesity (19). In a study
comparing weight loss following different diets, The Soyabean is often called the “golden
greater weight loss was observed in those following miracle bean and is the world’s foremost provider
a high dairy diet compared to a low dairy diet; in of protein and used for health food, feed sources
particular abdominal fat was lost (Zemel, et al., and industrial products. It contains about 20% oil
2004). and 40% high quality protein (as against 7.0% in
rice, 12% in wheat, 10% in maize and 20-25% in
Soya Milk
other pulses). Soybean products also have
The oldest evidence of soya milk production protective properties against breast, prostate, colon
is from China where a kitchen scene proving use and lung cancers because of the isoflavones content.
of soya milk is incised on a stone slab dated around Other than the whole seed, many processed soy
AD 25–220. It also appeared in a chapter called products are available in the market. They include
Four Taboos (Szu-Hui) in the AD 82 book called soya milk, soya flour, soya curd and tofu (soya
Lunheng by Wang Chong, possibly the first written paneer).
record of soya milk. Evidence of soya milk is rare
Soya protein is a complete protein, meaning
prior to the 20th century and widespread usage
it contains all of the indispensable amino acids
before then is unlikely.
required by the body in the correct proportions and
According to popular tradition in China, soya amounts to meet human needs for growth,
milk was developed by Liu An for medicinal maintenance and repair of living tissues. Soya
purposes, although there is no historical evidence protein is the only complete plant based protein
for this legend. This legend first appeared in the which is available to those maintaining a vegetarian
12th century and was not clearly stated until late lifestyle and is equal in protein quality to milk, meat
15th century in Bencao Gangmu, where the and egg proteins. Muscles need protein to repair,
development of tofu was attributed to Liu with no rebuild and grow. In accordance with the guidelines
mention of soya milk. Later writers in Asia and the given by WHO/FAO/UNU, used of soy protein as
West additionally attributed development of soya a whole source of protein in the daily diet will
milk to Liu An, assuming that he could not have support normal muscle formation and maintain
made tofu without making soya milk. This may be nitrogen balance in both children and adults.
incorrect. In addition, some recent writers claim
How is soya milk different to buffalo milk?
Liu An developed tofu in 164 BC.
A number of recent scientific studies have
Soya bean is a leguminous crop and is rich in
examined differences between buffalo and soya milk
proteins. Many value-added products are made
(Tomotake, et al., 2006, Alferez, et al., 2001,
 KANT and BROADWAY, The Benefits of Consuming Soya Milk- A Review 1161

Alonso, 1992). Differences in their fat, protein and This report highlights a number of notable
sugar compositions have been observed and these areas surrounding soya milk and its role in nutrition,
differences may explain why people report soya although further research is clearly warranted to
milk is easier to digest and less likely to cause provide more solid conclusions. Despite negative
intolerant type symptoms. public perception of milk and milk products, its
consumption has significant health benefits. Soya
The fats within buffalo milk are smaller in
milk and its products play significant roles in human
size than in soya milk and this can make soya milk
nutrition. Due to its highly nutritious composition,
easier to digest. In addition, soya milk consumption
soya milk and dairy products such as yoghurts,
by soybean has been shown to result in high protein.
cheeses and powders are chosen to feed more
The unique composition of the type of protein found
starving and malnourished people in the developing
in soya milk have been studied, and certain trans
world than respective cow products.
fats, the consumption of which are known to be a
risk factor for heart disease, were found in Many milk alternatives such as soya, oat and
significantly lower proportions in soya compared rice-based milks are fortified with essential vitamins
to buffalo’s milk. Buffalo’s milk is one of the most and minerals. The ongoing debate about whether
common causes of food allergic reactions in these additives offer the same health benefits
children. The majority of children out-grow their highlights the need for additional research in this
allergy by the time they reach four years of age but area.
some retain the allergy for life. Buffalo’s milk allergy
Soya differs from buffalo in terms of their
can occur in adults, presenting as immediate allergic
anatomy, physiology and product biochemistry.
reactions or eczema. Buffalo’s milk contains more
These differences support the contention that soya
than 20 proteins that can cause allergic reactions.
milk offers many unique qualities for human
The major proteins that people are allergic to are
nutrition. However the authors recommend a
called isoflavones and caseins. Soya milk contains
comprehensive scientific study to fully examine the
a similar amount of as buffalo’s milk but less of
hypoallergenic and therapeutic significance of soya
particular casein known as alpha-s1-casein28. Soya
milk.
milk, like human milk, has a lower ratio of casein
because the amounts of soluble proteins are higher ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
than those found in cow and sheep milk. This unique
The authors would like to thank Prof. (Dr.)
property allows the milk to form a soft, as oppose
Ramesh Chandra, Dean WSFDT, SHIATS,
to hard, curd during digestion. Those who are
Allahabad, for providing proper guidance and all
experiencing intolerance to casein may therefore
required facilities. I would also like to pay my
find they have reduced symptoms when consuming
plethora of thanks to my venerate advisor Prof.
soya milk.
(Dr). Arif. A. Broadway, Director Research,
Finally, the non-digestible sugars or WSFDT, SHIATS, Allahabad, for her dedication,
oligosaccharides within milk can act as a prebiotics. cooperation and prolific encouragement in
Prebiotics help maintain the health of the accomplishing my work.
gastrointestinal tract by encouraging the growth
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Received on 05-02-2015 Accepted on 08-02-2015

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