Does Soy Milk Cause Constipation?

Soy milk, a highly nutritious drink, is made by soaking, grinding and boiling soy beans with water. Besides being a particularly rich source of protein, soy milk also contains essential fatty acids, vitamins, potassium, iron and dietary fiber. These active ingredients provide a very good amount of energy and help your body function as smoothly as possible.¹

What Causes Constipation?

You could feel constipated because of a whole host of reasons. However, what you eat or drink definitely has an impact on your bowel movements. Compared to adults, constipation mostly affects infants or children causing significant discomfort in the little ones.

Usually, we all consume milk that’s pasteurized and contains antibiotics as well as hormones. However, during the pasteurization process, some of the valuable enzymes that aid digestion are removed.

If you consume too much milk and very little fiber in your diet, you are prone to constipation and flatulence. If you are lactose intolerant, you are more likely to be constipated every time you have a glass of milk. Soy milk, on the other hand, does not cause constipation. It actually helps relieve constipation symptoms. A recent study proved that constipation was resolved in children consuming soy milk, while those consuming cow’s milk still felt constipated. ²

Can Soy Protein Cause An Allergic Reaction?

Unfortunately, there’s very little medical research done regarding the relation between soy milk and constipation. Although, it is widely known that soy protein can be an allergen and lead to constipation eventually.

The soy protein is one of the eight allergens that come under the labeling requirements of the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act. To make things simpler, if you’re allergic to soy, ensure that you don’t consume soy milk at any point in time.

In such a situation, the best way forward is for you to replace soy milk with either almond milk or rice milk.³

Not Allergic To Soy Milk? Check Out The Benefits Of Using This Nutritious Drink

The major ingredients in soy milk are calcium, vitamins, minerals and other nutrients, which are also found in cow’s milk. For children suffering from chronic constipation, the switch from cow’s milk to soy milk can be highly beneficial. It has the potential to significantly improve the quality of your life and combat the symptoms of constipation effectively.

Soy milk is lactose-free and contains no cholesterol. When compared to cow’s milk, soy milk has about 50% more calcium content. In addition to possessing excellent nutritive value, soy milk can also reduce the risk of heart disease, obesity, and prostate cancer. It is also known to lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels in your body.⁴

For vegetarians and vegans alike, soy milk is the best source of protein. It has no cholesterol and is very low in saturated fat. Soybean, the main ingredient of soy milk, is the only vegetable food that contains all eight essential amino acids.⁵

Is Soy Milk Safe?

Some children who are intolerant to cow’s milk also react to soy proteins. As discussed earlier, try replacing soy with other options like rice or almond milk in such a scenario.

Soy milk contains phytoestrogens and isoflavones, which may be harmful to women who take hormonal therapy or those who have breast cancer. Soy milk can also raise concerns about early puberty in girls and hormonal changes in boys.⁶

In effect, moderate consumption of soy milk appears safe for toddlers and adults.

To sum things up, there are a number of other causes of constipation beyond specific food items. Most notably, you’re in trouble if you don’t drink enough liquids or eat foods that are rich in fiber. Without an ample amount of fluids or fibers in your diet, there’s every chance of you being constipated. A good amount of physical exercise can only be an added advantage when you’re prone to feel constipated.