Soy milk is rich in plant protein and phospholipids, and also contains vitamins B1, B2, and minerals such as iron and calcium. The calcium it contains is particularly suitable for all groups of people, including the elderly. So, what are the benefits of drinking soy milk for the elderly? And what are the taboos for drinking soy milk?
1. Anti-aging
The selenium, vitamins E and C in soy milk have strong antioxidant functions, which can make the body's cells "rejuvenate", especially for brain cells.
2. Preventing and treating high blood pressure
The soy sterols, potassium, and magnesium in soy milk are powerful anti-sodium substances. Sodium is one of the main causes of the onset and recurrence of high blood pressure. If the amount of sodium in the body can be properly controlled, it can both prevent and treat high blood pressure.
3. Preventing and treating stroke
The magnesium and calcium elements in soy milk can significantly reduce brain blood lipids and improve brain blood flow, thus effectively preventing the occurrence of cerebral infarction and cerebral hemorrhage. The lecithin in soy milk can also reduce the death of brain cells and improve brain function.
4. Preventing and treating cancer
The protein, selenium, molybdenum, etc. in soy milk have strong anti-cancer and cancer-treating abilities, especially for stomach cancer, colon cancer, and breast cancer. According to surveys, the probability of cancer in people who do not drink soy milk is 50% higher than that of people who drink soy milk regularly.
5. Preventing bronchitis
The methionine in soy milk has the effect of preventing smooth muscle spasms of bronchitis, thereby reducing and alleviating the onset of bronchitis.
6. Strengthening the body
Every 100 grams of soy milk contains 4.5 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fat, 1.5 grams of carbohydrates, 4.5 grams of phosphorus, 2.5 grams of iron, 2.5 grams of calcium, and vitamins, riboflavin, etc., which is very beneficial for enhancing physical fitness.
7. Preventing and treating coronary heart disease
The soy sterols, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in soy milk can enhance the excitement of the cardiovascular system, improve cardiac nutrition, lower cholesterol, promote blood flow, and prevent vascular spasms. If you can insist on drinking a bowl of soy milk every day, the recurrence rate of coronary heart disease can be reduced by 50%. Regular consumption of soy milk can maintain a normal nutritional balance, comprehensively regulate the endocrine system, lower blood pressure and blood lipids, reduce the burden on the cardiovascular system, increase heart vitality, optimize blood circulation, protect the cardiovascular system, and has the effects of nourishing the liver and kidneys, anti-cancer, and enhancing immunity. Therefore, some scientists call soy milk "cardiovascular health liquid".
8. Preventing diabetes
Diabetes is mostly caused by the long-term accumulation of unscientific diet. Improper diet often affects the absorption of elements such as magnesium, phosphorus, copper, zinc, chromium, cobalt, and germanium, eventually leading to diabetes. Foreign studies have found that bean drinks have the effect of lowering blood sugar. Soy milk contains a large amount of fiber, which can effectively prevent excessive absorption of sugar and reduce sugar content, thus preventing diabetes. It is an indispensable good food for diabetic patients in their daily lives.
What are the taboos for drinking soy milk?
1. Soy milk must be boiled before drinking
This is because soy milk contains saponin toxin, which is only decomposed at a high temperature of 100°C. During the process of boiling soy milk, the saponin toxin expands easily when heated, forming foam that floats on the upper layer of the soy milk. At this time, the soy milk is not yet fully boiled. You must wait until the soy milk is truly completely boiled before drinking it, to avoid the saponin toxin that has not been decomposed from entering the body and stimulating the intestinal mucosa, causing poisoning.
2. It is not advisable to add raw eggs to soy milk for drinking
This is because the egg white contains a substance called avidin, which can bind tightly with biotin in the yolk and biotin in the intestines to form a very stable compound that is not easily absorbed by the human body. Therefore, long-term consumption of raw eggs in soy milk (plus semi-raw soy milk) will lead to protein and vitamin H (biotin) deficiency.
3. Do not add brown sugar to soy milk
Because the organic acids in brown sugar can combine with the protein in soy milk to produce denatured precipitates, it is better to use white sugar.
4. Do not pour soy milk into a thermos
The saponin in soy milk can remove the scale in the thermos, but over time, it will become a breeding ground for bacteria, causing the soy milk to spoil.
5. Do not drink too much soy milk
Drinking a large amount of soy milk at once can easily cause indigestion of excessive protein, leading to symptoms such as bloating and diarrhea. Therefore, drinking soy milk should also be in moderation, or consumed in several servings.