Is There a Soy Milk–

Estrogen Connection?
 No proven link to cancer

 Cautions

 Benefits

 Takeaway

Overview
If you like tofu, or opt for soy milk over dairy, concerns about the health
effects of soy may have piqued your interest.

However, there seem to be more questions than answers about the role soy
plays in women’s bodies, especially when it comes to menopause and
breast cancer. There are also many misunderstandings.

The soy in our food supply is a processed product of the soybean. Tofu is
one of the most common sources. You’ll increasingly find it in dairy
substitutes like soy milk and soy cheese, as well as foods made specifically
for vegetarians, like soy burgers and other meat substitutes.

Soy contains phytoestrogens, or plant-based estrogens. These are

mainly two isoflavones, genistein and daidzein, that act like estrogen, the
female sex hormone, within the body.

Because estrogen plays a role in everything from breast cancer to sexual

reproduction, this is where most of the soy controversy stems.
No proven link to cancer
Most studies linking soy consumption to an increased risk for breast and
other forms of cancer are done in laboratory animals. But because humans
metabolize soy differently than rodents, these findings might not apply to
people, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Further, studies looking at the effects of soy on humans haven’t shown the
potential for harm.

The ACS states that because research on the link between soy and cancer
is still evolving, much more analysis is needed. As it stands, soy doesn’t
appear to pose any cancer risk.

In fact, some studies actually show that soy reduces cancer risk.

An early study conducted in Japan suggests that hormone fluctuations in

men who consume soy products daily could protect against prostate
cancer. A 2013 study found that consuming soy in conjunction with
probiotics could reduce the risk for breast cancer in rats.

The bottom line: There isn’t substantial evidence that soy definitively
increases or decreases cancer risk.

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Cautions with soy

Many studies have investigated the effect that soy may have on thyroid
health. Currently, soy isn’t thought to cause thyroid disease.
However, for those on thyroid medications for hypothyroidism, managing
soy intake may be helpful. Soy may interfere with the medication’s function.
According to the Mayo Clinic, avoiding soy at least 4 hours after taking your
medication is recommended.

Possible benefits of soy

Menopause occurs when women experience a reduction in estrogen levels.

Because soy isoflavones act similarly to estrogen within the body, they’re
sometimes credited with easing the symptoms of menopause. However,
the American Heart Association states that this effect is somewhat unlikely.

Early evidence showed that soy could even reduce the risk for heart
disease. While those claims were somewhat exaggerated, research does
show that a diet that substitutes soy for animal protein can reduce LDL, or
“bad” cholesterol.

Finally, a 2017 study revealed that soy could help prevent and even reduce
bone loss associated with osteoporosis, reducing the risk for fractures.

Researchers conclude that their findings indicate that postmenopausal

women and other people with low bone density could benefit from
consuming soy.

Takeaway
Research on the potential health benefits and risks of soy is ongoing. As it
continues, what we do know about this plant-based food will evolve.

For now, it looks like soy’s benefits outweigh the cons.

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