I stop by Starbuck's every now and then for my morning coffee. The other day I noticed they'd put some pamphlets on the checkout counter about how good their soymilk is for you. I'd like to share my thoughts on this with you. Many people think of soymilk as a healthy milk substitute, they seem to buy into the media hype- and I doubt Starbuck's means its customers any harm. But you shouldn't drink it.
Soymilk can be bad for you. Not just the brand Starbuck's uses - any brand. It's the unnatural byproduct of soy that your body can't digest without processing. If you were to eat unprocessed soy, it would cause cramping, nausea, and can cause more serious health problems. Here are a few of the pamphlet's false claims about soymilk (and the truth about them):
Claim: "In countries where soy is a dietary staple, such as China and Indonesia, soy consumption has been linked to a reduced risk of certain chronic diseases."
Fact: This is only half-true. The soybean itself is inedible. It contains toxins meant to ward off insect predators. These include:
* Anti-nutrients that prevent your body from absorbing essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.
* Enzyme inhibitors that make it harder for your body to absorb protein.
Both of these substances can give you abdominal pain, gas, nausea, cramps, and other gastrointestinal problems.
* Hemaglutinin, a substance that promotes blood clots.
* Goitrogens, which cause gout and thyroid problems.
Societies that depend heavily on soy-based foods use traditional preparation methods thousands of years old that neutralize or eliminate these poisons. This process is not the one used here in the United States. Tempeh, miso, natto, and soy sauce are fermented products. The fermentation process destroys the toxins. Tofu comes from the pressed "curds" of the soybean. The rest is thrown out - and the bad stuff along with it.
Compare this with the industrial processes that go into making soymilk: washing the beans in alkaline or boiling them in a petroleum-based solvent; bleaching, deodorizing, and pumping them full of additives; heat-blasting and crushing them into flakes; and then mixing them with water to make "milk."
This only adds more dangerous chemicals without removing any of soy's natural toxins. This is NOT a "dietary staple" in China, Indonesia, or any other country. And it shouldn't be here, either.
Claim: "Also, interest in soy is rising because scientists have discovered that a soy component called isoflavone appears to reduce the risk of certain diseases."
Fact: The opposite is true. Recent science suggests soy "isoflavones" are dangerous to your health.
Isoflavone isn't actually a single substance, but a category of substances. Isoflavones include "phyto-estrogens," plant-based compounds that mimic the female hormone. Eat enough of these and you'll upset your body's hormonal balance. The young are especially vulnerable: research published just last year found that soy-based phyto-estrogens could cause "precocious puberty." The study focused on a four-and-a-half year old girl who had developed breasts because her parents fed her too much soy formula. Clinical research also links two of these phyto-estrogens, genistein and daidzein, to childhood leukemia and breast cancer.
Stick with a little organic raw milk or half-and-half in your coffee. It would be great if Starbuck's offered organic dairy. That would be truly healthy. Keep some on hand at home and in the office if you have access to a refrigerator. As for soy products, the traditional fermented soy foods like tempeh, miso and soy sauces are safe and healthy. (Again, go organic if you can.)
These small changes in your diet to rid yourself of unnecessary toxins are well worth it. Remember also, that anything pasteurized or homogenized kills and removes any good that may come from the milk, so stay away from those processes also.
Marti Angel, MA
"America's Health and Expert Lifestyle Coach"
Marti is a Certified Holistic Nutritionist, Yoga Professor, RYT, Reiki Master level 2, Certified WATSU water therapist, Certified Meditation Instructor, Certified Metabolic Typing Advisor (Health Excel, Inc), Certified Nutraceutical Consultant, Certified Health/Lifestyle Coach, Motivational Speaker and founder of the number one alternative therapies site on the web, http://www.angelhealthinc.com
Her blog-- http://www.martiangel.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marti_Angel
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