What are the uses of drinking soy? What are the side effects of drinking soy? What precautions should be taken when drinking soy? Discover the answers to these questions and more in this comprehensive guide.

Overview of Drinking Soy

Soy, also known as Glycine max, is a legume that originates from China. It can be processed into various forms, including soy protein, soy milk, and soy fiber. Soy contains isoflavones, which are plant-based compounds that can mimic the effects of the hormone estrogen in the body. This makes soy a popular choice for addressing various health conditions.

Uses and Effectiveness of Drinking Soy

Soy is used for a variety of health conditions, but the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness varies. Here are some of the conditions where soy may be effective:

Possibly Effective for:

• Breast cancer: Eating large amounts of soy may help prevent breast cancer or its recurrence in some people, but taking soy supplements does not seem to have the same effect.
• Chronic kidney disease: Taking soy protein by mouth may reduce protein in the urine and improve other measures of kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease.
• Diabetes: Eating a diet high in soy may reduce the risk of developing diabetes, but it’s unclear if taking soy protein improves blood sugar or cholesterol levels in people who already have diabetes.
• Diarrhea: Feeding infants with formula supplemented with soy fiber seems to reduce diarrhea, but taking soy by IV doesn’t seem to reduce diarrhea in adults.
• Galactosemia: Feeding a soy-based formula to infants who have this inherited disorder may help reduce symptoms.
• Hyperlipidemia: Eating soy protein in place of other dietary protein or using soy fiber products may slightly reduce total cholesterol and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, but taking supplements containing purified soy isoflavones doesn’t seem to help.
• High blood pressure: Eating soy protein may reduce blood pressure by a small amount in people with slightly high blood pressure.
• Lactose intolerance: Feeding a soy-based formula to infants who have lactose intolerance may help reduce symptoms.
• Menopause symptoms: Eating soy protein or taking soy isoflavone extracts by mouth may help reduce hot flashes caused by menopause in some people.
• Metabolic syndrome: Eating soy protein products may help lower blood sugar levels and improve other measures of the disease in people with metabolic syndrome.
• Muscle strength: Taking soy protein by mouth may increase muscle strength, and it seems to work as well as whey protein, dairy protein, and beef protein.
• Osteoporosis: Taking soy protein or soy extract by mouth can increase bone mineral density or slow bone mineral density loss in females near or beyond menopause.

Possibly Ineffective for:

• Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH): Taking soy by mouth doesn’t seem to improve urination or other symptoms in people with an enlarged prostate.
• Hot flashes in people treated for breast cancer: Taking soy by mouth doesn’t reduce hot flashes related to breast cancer.
• Colorectal cancer: Taking soy by mouth does not reduce the risk for colorectal cancer.
• Muscle soreness caused by exercise: Taking soy isoflavone extract by mouth before exercising doesn’t seem to prevent muscle soreness.

Side Effects of Drinking Soy

Soy is commonly consumed in foods and dietary supplements containing soy extracts are possibly safe when used for up to 6 months. However, soy can cause some mild side effects, such as:

• Stomach and intestinal issues like constipation, bloating, and nausea
• Allergic reactions involving rash, itching, and breathing problems in some people

Precautions and Warnings for Drinking Soy

When it comes to drinking soy, there are a few precautions and warnings to keep in mind:

Pregnancy:

Soy is commonly consumed in foods, but it is possibly unsafe when used in larger amounts found in medicine during pregnancy. Higher doses during pregnancy might harm the development of the baby.

Breastfeeding:

There isn’t enough reliable information to know if soy is safe to use in the larger amounts found in medicine when breastfeeding. It’s best to stick to food amounts.

Children:

Soy is commonly consumed in foods, but the safety of larger medicinal amounts in children is unknown.

Interactions with Drinking Soy

Soy may interact with certain medications and health conditions. It’s important to speak with a healthcare provider before using soy, especially if you have any of the following:

• Thyroid disorders
• Hormone-sensitive conditions (like breast cancer or endometriosis)
• Blood thinners or other medications

Dosing Recommendations for Drinking Soy

There is no standard recommended dose for soy, as the appropriate dosage can vary depending on the intended use and the individual’s health status. It’s best to follow the instructions on the product label or consult with a healthcare provider for guidance on the appropriate dosage.

Reviews and Ratings for Drinking Soy

Overall, the reviews and ratings for drinking soy are mixed. Some people report positive experiences, such as improved cholesterol levels or relief from menopausal symptoms. However, others may not see the desired effects or may experience side effects. It’s important to keep in mind that individual results may vary, and it’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.