Has anyone an actual bad experience with soy?

Question

You often hear how bad soy is and how it harms more than it helps. I drink a moderate amount of soy milk, about a liter a week. Dairy milk makes me sick.. I love the taste of soy milk plus it's fortified with b12. I'm wondering how many people have had actual bad experiences with soy.. besides an allergic reactions that is.

Answer 1

soy milk tastes gross, and my cousin is very impressionable and she copies everything that i do and she is lactose intolerant so she has to drink soy milk. so there for i had to drink soy milk so that she would drink it, and i couldnt even swallow the rest of it, i wanted to puke!

Answer 2

Keep in mind the soy used in Asia, and the soy we use in North America are different (We tend to genetically modify things to death over here)

Soy can be really hard on your GI tract *I can't exactly remember the stats and don't feel like hunting for my nutrition notes, but it's something like 70% of North Americans and less than 20% of Asians can't tolerate it, because Asians have been eating it forever, and we have not, so our systems aren't as used it it*  

You'd notice any of the following symptoms: gas, heartburn, upset or sore stomach, lethargy, tiredness,  if you had a problem with it.

I actually know quite a few people who can't tolerate it.  Personally, I seem to do mostly okay with it though.

It is high in genistein, which is a phyto-estrogen, so it's not recommended for pre-pubescent or during puberty. Pregnant and breast feeding women should also use caution.    Men should also be careful as it's shown to cause apoptosis in testicular cells, and many studies have shown it to cause infertility.

Some studies also show it to cause hypothyroidism, but only if there's already a problem in the thyroid... or you're a rat.

Cancer-wise, there's studies to show it can help certain cancers as well as promote certain cancers, so nothing is really definitive on that point.  

You can mix it up a bit and use almond milk occasionally if you're really worried, as almond milk has been around for centuries without any problems.

Really though, there seem to be so many things in the world today that may cause cancer and other problems.  If you like the taste of it, and it's not causing any GI problems,  you might as well drink it :)   At least the hormones are natural and not synthetic (cow milk)

Answer 3

I consume 2-8 ounce servings of silk plain soy milk everyday.  I also eat other products with soy like Tofutti better than cream cheese and so on.

I personally have never had any problem with soy.  I have never known any other vegans or vegetarians who have had trouble either.

Some people say that soy turns men feminine because of it's hormone content, but in reality meat has more than soy does.  There is a whole list of food products that have the same or more than soy.  My husband consumes quite a bit of soy.  His voice is still deep and he doesn't watch Lifetime.  I don't buy it.

Answer 4

I have never had a bad experience with soy, unless you count the time I smelled spoiled tofu that I forgot was in my refrigerator.

I'm willing to bet no one will be able to say they have had health problems related to soy other than allergies.

I have never heard of a reputable doctor or registered dietitian who believed all that hype about soy being bad for you. It's pure quackery and distorted statistics.

Answer 5

I drink it every day in my breakfast cereal. Actually it makes me feel pretty good. I didn't relieve how stuffy/sick regular milk made me feel till I quit.

Answer 6

Nope, I drink soymilk daily and use soy products fairly often, as we as people I know do and no problems. I know a few people allergic to soy or can not have it because of thyroid problems but that's it. I had a LOT of bad experiences with dairy though.

Answer 7

I think the government made up all the bad stories =[

They are very anti-vegan.

Answer 8

No, and I drink soymilk everyday and I eat tofu a few times a week. The only thing with soy is that you have to get the products made of non genetically modified soybeans. Soy is very nutritious, IMO. I cannot stand the taste of dairy milk, it is so gross. I love soymilk and I'm not lactose intolerant or a vegan.

Answer 9

I've never had a bad experience with soy! I everything I eat other than veggies and rice contains soy basically and i'm perfectly fine!

Answer 10

I drink silk chocolate soymilk daily. I'm 13 and I have never had a problem. I have heard that people have had bad experiences with it but it's fine with me. I have some almonds soaking in water right now. I'm in the process of making almond milk and I'll see how it tastes. Just incase I do end up having issues with soy. I have heard that people who drank soy got arthritis flare-ups in their hands but whatever, that hasn't happened to me.

Answer 11

I have been vegan for about 15 years and I am also allergic to wheat, so soy has been a major food source for me. I have to say that in the past year I have started to have some strange reactions to soy. I definitely know when I have had too much. Symptoms are - swollen fingers, swollen feet, very itchy skin, and general 'inflammation' as well as overall sluggishness. I love soy and have to admit that I may overdo it. I think as with any food, moderation is key, and the more natural it is the better for you it is. Tofu, tempeh, edamame and soy milk are probably best for you. When you get into the meat substitutes such as soy hotdogs, burgers, etc. which are more processed, they probably not as good for you.

I have friend who has no problem eating soy milk and tofu from the Chinese markets, but if she eats it from an American market, she breaks out into hives. Not sure if there are preservatives or what causing it.

Too much of any one thing can be bad for you, but a liter a week does not sound excessive. Just make sure you eat a variety of other healthy foods as well. You know your body, you will know to cut back if it is affecting you. And if you want to mix it up, there are other 'milks' out there like almond, oat, and rice milk that you can try.

Answer 12

The Chinese have been using soy for over 1000 years and I think it's safe to say they're thriving as  a population.

I think the dairy farmers are behind the stories that soy is bad for you.

It's better than bovine growth hormone and mad cow disease.