Critical Analysis 3

Benefits of Soybeans (Soy Milk) for Health

http://guidance-article.blogspot.com/2011/01/benefits-of-soybeans-soy-milk-for.html

 

by : Dece Elisabeth Sahertian

  Figure 1. Soybeans and Soy Milk

SUMMARY 

Soybeans are one of the higher plants that were included in crop legumes. Soybeans can be processed by fermentation into Indonesian society preferred foods such as soy sauce, tofu and tempeh. Soybean consists of white soy, and black soybeans. Soy beans contain high protein so as to meet the body's need for amino acids, argirin, glycine, the hormone insulin, and pancreatic glukogen. The presence of proteins, especially insulin and glukogen in soy help to lower blood glucose levels and transforms it into energy for people who consume them in adequate amounts.

Soy milk is one of the products processed from soybeans, which has the benefit that is not less good or better than cow's milk. Nutritional content of soy milk is protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin E, mineral, polysaccharide, isoflavones, good cholesterol (HDL), and calcium. Nutrients in soy milk have different benefits that are good for the body. The main nutrients that exist in soy milk are proteins that function to enhance immunity, repair damaged tissue and body growth. In addition, compared with cow's milk, soy milk fiber in more than cow's milk which is used to smooth the digestive food and disposal. Soy contains isoflavones which are beneficial to eliminate high-menopausal symptoms, prevent cancer, slow osteoporosis and reduce the risk of heart disease.

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CRITICAL ANALYSIS

This article needs to be added a some things that the composition of the existing content of nutrients in soy milk compared to cow's milk, positive and negative aspects of consuming soy as well as the reasons why it should limit itself to soy consumption.

1.   The content and composition of soy milk and cow's milk is shown in the following table:
Table Composition of Soy Milk and Liquid Milk Cow Each 100 Gram

Component	Soy Milk	Cow’s Milk
Calories (kcal)	41,00	61,00
Protein (g)	3,50	3,20
Fat (g)	2,50	3,50
Carbohydrates(g)	5,00	4,30
Calcium (mg)	50,00	143,00
Phosphorus (g)	45,00	60,00
Iron (g)	0,70	1,70
Vitamin A (SI) (vision and bone growth)	200,00	130,00
Vitamin B1 (thiamine) (mg) (reaction of energy-producing bodies)	0,08	0,03
Vitamin B2 (protein and carbohydrate metabolism and maintains normal mucous membrane)	contain	contain
Vitamin B12  (blood cell growth and functioning of brain cells)	0	contain
Vitamin C (mg) (growth / recovery of tissue and blood vessels to function normally)	2,00	1,00
Vitamin E (anti-oxidant, the process of reproduction)	contain	contain
Vitamin K (normal blood clotting)	contain	contain
Water (g)	87,00	88,33
Isoflavones (anti-cancer)	contain	0
Cholesterol HDL (good)	contain	contain
Cholesterol LDL (bad)	0	contain

Table above shows that soy milk has the isoflavones are good for the body of a cancer prevention especially breast and prostate cancer and containing good cholesterol (HDL) that are very capable to make the process of calcification of blood vessels.

2.   Besides having a positive side, there is the negative side of soy. Soybeans in fact contain a large amount of harmful substances such as phytic acid which can inhibit the body's absorption of important minerals like magnesium, calcium, iron and especially zinc. Soy also contains a strong enzyme-inhibitor. These inhibitors block the absorption of trypsin and other enzymes the body needs for protein digestion. So that can cause serious stomach pain, reduced protein digestion and can lead to chronic deficiencies in amino acid uptake. In addition, soybean also contains hemagglutinin which is a substance that causes clumps of red blood cells accumulate. The cells that cause blood to clot is not smooth absorb oxygen for distribution to tissues, and not to help maintain heart health.

3.   Soy milk contains isoflavones phytoestrogens, that substances in soy that are similar to estrogen that can affect the sex balance in men and women, and also may affect male fertility is high intake of soy, including soy milk, can reduce sperm concentration. 

4.   Soy also contains genistein and daidzein which act like estrogens and are known as phytoestrogens (estrogens produced by plants). Excess estrogen in men can actually cause breast enlargement (gynecomastia), eliminating the slow growth of beard and hair in the hands and feets. Worst of all, excess estrogen can cause erection problems. This effect will be felt more for men who are overweight and side effects result from genetically modified soybeans. 

5.   Soybean plants grown in the United States comes from genetically modified soil. Soy milk is derived from soybeans genetically modified to increase the risk of disease or side effects, such as digestive disorders, heart problems, thyroid dysfunction, modify the structure of the uterus and ovaries, and even affect reproductive health.

REFERENCES

Anonymous. 2002. Is soy healthy? Soy is not the health food that you think it is. Healingdaily [online] Available at : http://www.healingdaily.com/detoxification-diet/soy.htm

[accessed 23 March 2011].

Khalid. 2009. Manfaat Susu Kedelai. Cara Hidup. [Online] Available at : http://carahidup.um.ac.id/tag/susu-kedelai/ [Accessed 23 March 2011].

Paajanen, S. 2011. The Joy of Soy. What are the benefits of soy milk, over                  regular dairy milk? [online] Available at: http://coffeetea.about.com/od/health/a/soymilk.htm [accessed 23 March 2011].