A Magical Drink for Blood Sugar and Vascular Health? Expert-Recommended Benefits of "Soy Milk"

If you are planning to go on a diet, how you fill your shopping basket can be the starting point. In particular, snack selection is crucial. Without proper preparation, it is easy to reach for high-calorie snacks when hunger strikes. Among these, soy milk-a popular snack choice-is attracting attention as a food that can help manage both blood sugar and vascular health. As a plant-based beverage made from soybeans, soy milk is rich in protein, dietary fiber, and unsaturated fatty acids, which can help stabilize blood sugar fluctuations and support metabolic health.

A customer is choosing soy milk in front of the refrigerated display at a convenience store. Seven Eleven

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Han-Soo Kim, Director of Choesun Korean Medicine Clinic, who has studied diabetes patients for 17 years, recently introduced the health benefits and consumption methods of soy milk through the YouTube channel "Taste of Knowledge." He explained that soy milk is a food with a relatively low blood sugar burden while providing nutritional supplementation, making it a suitable snack or supplement for those who need to manage their diet.

Soy milk is a plant-based protein food made by grinding soybeans, characterized by its high protein content and relatively easy digestion. Generally, protein is known to have a lower chance of causing a rapid increase in blood sugar compared to carbohydrates. For this reason, soy milk is considered a relatively safe food for people with diabetes or those who need to manage their blood sugar.

Additionally, because soy milk is in liquid form, it is convenient to consume, making it a good choice as a snack or nutritional supplement between meals. It can also help maintain a sense of fullness when reducing meal portions or managing weight.

Soybeans, the main ingredient in soy milk, contain not only plant-based protein but also unsaturated fatty acids, dietary fiber, and isoflavones, among other nutrients. Among these, unsaturated fatty acids and isoflavones are known to help improve insulin resistance and may also have a positive effect on vascular health.

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Dietary fiber is another nutrient that can help increase satiety and slow down the rate of blood sugar rise. The video described soy milk as a food that offers benefits for metabolic health and vascular management, going beyond being merely a protein drink.

However, it is important to check the sugar content when choosing soy milk. Many products on the market have added sugar or sweeteners to enhance the taste. Experts advise choosing unsweetened soy milk whenever possible to reduce unnecessary sugar intake. When selecting a product, it is recommended to check the nutrition label and choose products with low sugar content.

The recommended serving size is generally about 150 to 200ml per serving. This amount can help prevent excessive calorie intake while supplementing protein and nutrients and supporting a feeling of fullness.

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To enjoy soy milk even more healthily, adding ginger or cinnamon was also mentioned. Ginger and cinnamon have warming properties, which can help those with weak digestion or who are sensitive to cold, and cinnamon is also known as a beneficial food for blood sugar management.

Experts emphasize, "If used appropriately, soy milk can help with both blood sugar management and nutritional supplementation," but also stress that "it is important to adjust the intake according to individual health conditions."

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