Soy milk has long been hailed as "plant milk," and due to its affordability and value, it is very popular in the breakfast recipes of Chinese people. However, can it really prevent and treat cancer? Is it better to drink soy milk or milk for breakfast? A reporter interviewed Director Zeng Jing, head of the Nutrition Department at Guangdong Provincial Corps Hospital of the Chinese People's Armed Police Force.
Soy Milk VS Milk
Each has its pros and cons for breakfast.
Is soy milk or milk better for breakfast? Zeng Jing stated that each has its pros and cons. "Objectively speaking, compared to milk, soy milk has lower protein and calcium content and relatively more phosphorus, making its nutritional value lower than milk's. Milk is rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins, with very high levels of calcium and vitamin B12, but it lacks vitamin C, iron, and fiber. At the same time, milk is an animal product containing less desirable cholesterol and saturated fatty acids. Soy milk, made from soybeans, has protein quality almost as good as animal protein, and it also contains iron, vitamin B1, pantothenic acid, and fiber, without cholesterol or saturated fatty acids."
Zeng Jing explained that the fat in soybeans is unsaturated fat, which is more effective for recuperating patients with anemia than milk. Supplementing with plant protein by drinking hot soy milk can enhance a person's disease resistance. Furthermore, the glycemic index of soy is 15%, while that of milk is 30%, making soy a safer choice for obese and high-blood-sugar individuals.
In addition, milk contains lactose, and about two-thirds of the world's population is lactose intolerant. Among Asian Caucasians, 70% do not absorb lactose. In contrast, soy milk has an advantage in absorption because it contains oligosaccharides, which can be 100% absorbed by the human body.
High-risk groups for breast cancer
Should not drink large amounts of soy milk
Zeng Jing explained that currently, there is controversy in the medical community regarding soy milk: on one hand, many nutritionists emphasize the health benefits of soy milk, such as the health effects of its isoflavones on the female body and the role of soy oligosaccharides in improving the intestinal flora. On the other hand, foreign research reports have stated that high doses of isoflavones not only cannot prevent breast cancer but may also stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
Therefore, women with risk factors for breast cancer should最好 avoid consuming large amounts of isoflavones or drinking large amounts of soy milk for long periods. Additionally, the protein in soybeans can hinder the human body's absorption of iron. If soybeans or soy products are consumed in excess, soy protein can inhibit 90% of normal iron absorption, leading to varying degrees of symptoms of iron-deficiency anemia, such as fatigue and drowsiness.
"Therefore, we should neither 'deify' soy milk nor be afraid of it. After all, adverse effects only appear from long-term excessive intake, and normal consumption of small amounts of soy milk by most people is not a problem. Adults can drink it 1-2 times a day, 250-350 ml each time, and children can drink 200-230 ml each time. Overall, soy milk is a good friend to humanity, but we should not overemphasize the special effects of a certain food. Instead, we should strive for food variety and a balanced diet," Zeng Jing stated.