Does Organic Soy Milk Have Estrogen

Soy isoflavones can produce estrogen like activity in the body by mimicking the effects of natural estrogen.

Does organic soy milk have estrogen.

Soy gets a bad rap for its phytoestrogens which bind to your estrogen receptors and mimic human estrogen. Soy contains phytoestrogens called isoflavones that may mimic the activity of the hormone estrogen in your body. Since the alternative to cow s milk is often soy milk men may wonder if the phytoestrogens in soy milk will affect their estrogen levels. Soy is safe for everyone to consume in moderation and can have a modest effect on estrogen levels.

The effects of soy isoflavones on human estrogen levels are complex. Many consumers are aware that animals used for meat and dairy are commonly supplemented with synthetic growth hormones but what they don t consider is that animal flesh and cow milk also contain their own naturally occurring estrogen and this is true even of grass fed and. Soy milk even has several health benefits. A case study of a man who developed gynecomastia man boobs low testosterone and very high estrogen thanks to the soy in his diet 8.

These so called plant estrogens can affect your body similarly to regular estrogen but at a much weaker level or in some cases they can counter estrogenic activity. Soy and soy products are rich in isoflavones or phytoestrogens. Soy milk texturized soy protein and soy cheese have been touted as nutritious alternatives to cow s milk products and meat. A 1995 meta analysis of 38 controlled clinical trials showed that eating approximately 50 grams of soy protein a day no small amount as this translates to 1 pounds of tofu or eight 8 ounce glasses of soy milk in place of animal protein reduced harmful ldl cholesterol by 12.

The anti phytoestrogen sentiment comes from two things. While soy milk does contain compounds that are structurally similar to estrogen they do not function exactly the same as this hormone. Does soy have estrogenic effects. For many people soy milk can be part of a nutritious balanced diet and may actually have a few beneficial effects.

While soy does not contain estrogen animal foods do. Fortunately research has shown that the phytoestrogens in soy milk do not add to estrogen levels in the blood. They may increase or decrease blood estrogen levels 12. If you like tofu or opt for soy milk over dairy concerns about the health effects of soy may have piqued your interest.