Soy milk is made by soaking soybeans, grinding them with water.
The fluid which results after straining is called soy milk.
Most of the soy milk available in the market is flavoured and fortified with extra calcium or vitamins. The most popular flavours are vanilla and chocolate. Some producers add thickeners to their soy milk to give it a mouth feel of cow's milk.
Recently, with the recognition of its health benefits and with its improved flavor and texture, soy milk has now a high and rising acceptance. Sometimes, use is made of protein isolates from soy bean which are mixed with water, oils, sugars, stabilisers to give it a milky appearance. This type of product should be described as soy drink and is not as wholesome as real soy milk.
Nutritional values of soy milk
- Plain soy milk is very nutritive: it's an excellent source of high quality proteins, isoflavones and B-vitamins.
- Soy milk is free of the milk sugar (lactose) and is a good choice for people who are lactose intolerant.
- Also, it is a good alternative to those who are allergic the proteins of cow's milk.
Benefits of Soy Milk
- Soy milk contains only vegetables proteins
- Soy milk contains no lactose
- Fewer people are allergic to soy milk
- Soy milk reduces cholesterol
- Soy milk contains no hormones
- Soy milk is rich in isoflavones