Soy milk is a highly nutritious food for women. However, should pregnant women drink soy milk? Does soy milk affect the gender of the fetus? Should mothers expecting boys consume soy milk? All these questions will be addressed through scientific evidence and real-world insights below.
The Benefits of Soy Milk for Pregnant Women
For expecting mothers, the proper and reasonable consumption of soy milk can bring numerous excellent benefits:
- Soy milk provides a significant amount of protein to mothers. Not only that, this protein is particularly good as it contains minimal cholesterol and fat. This is a notable difference compared to animal-derived proteins.
- In addition to protein, essential nutrients like vitamin A, D, Riboflavin, and B12 in soy milk are considered equivalent to those in cow's milk. Therefore, soy milk becomes an excellent alternative for mothers allergic to lactose in cow's milk.
- The calcium in soy milk helps prevent common issues like bone density reduction in pregnant mothers, reducing the likelihood of premature or underweight births.
- The fiber in soy milk aids in controlling blood sugar levels and reducing constipation in pregnant women.
Does Consuming Soy Milk During Pregnancy Affect the Gender of the Fetus?
Many mothers believe that using soy milk during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, can impact the gender of the fetus. This belief stems from the discovery that soy milk contains isoflavones with estrogenic activity, a hormone believed to influence the gender of the fetus, particularly in the case of baby boys. This compound may lead to testicular atrophy and infertility.
The Impact of Soy Milk on the Fetal Gender through Scientific Studies:
- In 1999, the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology published a study suggesting that consuming a large amount of soy milk during pregnancy could negatively affect the health of the fetus and increase the risk of cancer in mothers. However, this study is based on the results of a small number of pregnant women, so it lacks generalizability and high accuracy.
- In 2002, the Journal of the American Dietetic Association reported that feeding infants soy milk does not pose any harm to their health.
- In 2003, British scientists focused on studying the effects of isoflavones, one of the groups of Phytoestrogens found in soybeans, an agent believed to negatively impact the gender development of the fetus.
However, to date, there is no evidence indicating that isoflavones can harm the baby's health. On the contrary, this plant-based milk is beneficial for health and helps prevent breast cancer in mothers.
Is It Beneficial for Pregnant Women to Consume a Lot of Soy Milk?
Being a naturally nutritious food with a delightful aroma, according to a study from Tufts University School of Medicine, it's not advisable to exceed 100mg of isoflavones per day. The safe range for mothers is 35-55 mg of isoflavones daily. A cup of soy milk typically contains 50 mg of isoflavones and 6 mg of protein.
Specifically, mothers should split their daily intake into 2 servings of about 250 ml each.
For the best advice on how to use soy milk for the well-being of both mother and child, consult specialized doctors directly if concerned about the amount of soy milk consumed.
When is the Best Time to Drink Soy Milk?
Many mothers contemplate whether drinking soy milk is better in the evening or morning. In reality, mothers can enjoy soy milk whenever they like, except when feeling hungry. This is because, at that time, most nutrients in the milk are converted into heat and lose their nutritional value.
To address this issue, mothers should consume soy milk with various types of bread, pastries, or other starchy foods.
Considerations for Mothers When Drinking Soy Milk
- Mothers should avoid mixing soy milk with eggs, as it diminishes the nutritional value of both and may cause bloating and indigestion.
- Avoid storing soy milk in the refrigerator for too long, as it may spoil and degrade. We'll provide details on the time and method of milk storage below, so scroll down for more information.
- If preparing homemade soy milk, mothers should boil it thoroughly before use to avoid stomach pain and poisoning. If buying from outside, choose reliable brands from reputable dealers, ensuring safety, hygiene, and quality.
- To enhance the absorption of nutrients in soy milk, pregnant mothers should consume it with other starchy foods.
- Do not use soy milk to take medication.
- Do not consume more than 500ml of soy milk per day and absolutely avoid excessive intake at once.
- Avoid consuming with brown sugar: Protein in soy milk, when combined with the organic acid in brown sugar, can destroy the nutrients in the milk and affect your digestion.
- When experiencing digestive issues like bloating, acid reflux, or diarrhea, mothers should refrain from using soy milk.
- In addition to soy milk, mothers need to diversify their diet with various foods and adjust the quantity according to their weight.
How Long Can You Keep Soy Milk?
Currently, there are three types of soy milk that mothers commonly use: canned soy milk, bottled store-bought soy milk, and homemade soy milk. Knowing how long soy milk lasts will help mothers have the best food every day.
- Canned Soy Milk: This modern technology-produced canned product is carefully sterilized and has a shelf life of 6 months from the production date.
- Fresh Soy Milk: This product preserves the most natural flavor of soy milk and should be consumed within a day. If refrigerated, it can be stored for 3-4 days.
- Homemade Soy Milk: Making it at home provides peace of mind, although its taste may be subjective. The storage time is around 24 hours.
Soy milk is a healthy food for mothers and has no impact on health or the gender of the fetus. So, if mothers wonder whether it's safe to drink soy milk during pregnancy, rest assured to supplement daily. Don't forget, advice from specialized doctors will provide the most accurate knowledge about this type of food.
Useful articles for pregnant women postpartum:
- 5 Simple, Safe, and Effective Methods to Increase Breast Milk Supply
- How to Warm Breast Milk and Important Considerations for Mothers
- Answering the Question: Can Postpartum Women Consume Yogurt?