A complete guide to soy milk nutrition, health benefits and risks

By

Anna Gora

published 2 June 22

A complete guide to soy milk nutrition, health benefits and risks

One of the first plant-based milk alternatives on the market, soy milk helped millions of people to avoid dairy products back when veganism was in its infancy, and lactose intolerance was less understood. Now that there are so many more milk alternatives available, you may wonder how soy milk nutrition compares. 

Indeed, many concerns have been raised about the safety of soy milk consumption. Over the years, it has been accused of disrupting hormonal health, harming people with thyroid conditions, or even causing several types of cancer. It’s understandable then that you may think twice before putting a carton of soy milk into your shopping basket. 

But does soy milk deserve such a bad reputation? Here, we’ll have a closer look at its nutritional value and potential health benefits. And if you’re keen to learn more about a plant-based diet and how it can benefit your health, check out our plant-based diet for beginners for more tips.

Just like dairy milk, soy milk can be divided into two categories: UHT (ultra-high temperature)/shelf-stable and fresh/refrigerated. The UHT drinks undergo extensive heat processing to increase their shelf-life, whereas the refrigerated ones don’t. As a result, they come with different use-by dates and storage guidelines.