Soya

Soya and Soya Based Products

Soya foods and drinks can play an important role in a healthy balanced diet; they provide high quality protein, a healthy fat profile (lower saturated fats and higher in unsaturated fats), and some can contribute to fibre. Additionally, soya foods and drinks are more sustainable than meat and dairy.

Soya food and drinks can play an important role as part of a healthy balanced diet: several food-based dietary guidelines recognise the important contribution of plant food sources of protein such as soya to a sustainable and healthy, balanced diet.

How are Alpro soya products made?

Alpro soya-based dairy alternatives are manufactured according to a traditional production process by which the basic soya drink is made from the whole soya beans, only using water, heat and grinding the soya beans.

The basic soya drink is manufactured according to a traditional production process by which the soya drink is made from the whole soya beans using water, heat and mechanical processes only such as grinding the soya beans, without the use of chemicals.

High Quality Protein

Soya protein contains all the 9 essential amino acids, in sufficient quantities, to meet the body's requirements.

Soya protein contains all the essential amino acids in sufficient quantities and of high digestibility (> 90%) comparable to animal protein.

Beneficial Fat Content

Soya foods including soya drinks and soya alternatives to yogurt have a beneficial fat content: usually low in saturated fat and contain a good level of the unsaturated fats. Soya has a favourable fatty acid profile, an interesting mix of omega-3 and polyunsaturated fatty acids, in particular the omega-6 essential fatty acid linoleic acid.

Raised blood cholesterol levels are a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. High intake of saturated fats are associated with elevated cholesterol. Reducing intakes of saturated fat and replacing with unsaturated fat lowers low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol which can help maintain a healthy heart.

Isoflavones

Soya is the main source of dietary isoflavones which are naturally present in many plants including legumes such as chick peas and lentils. Isoflavones are often described as phytoestrogens because their chemical structure shows similarities to the human hormone oestrogen. The term ‘phyto’ refers to the fact they are of plant origin.

The other main types of dietary phytoestrogens are coumestans, prenylflavonoids and lignans. Coumestans are found in very small quantities in vegetables, such as peas, Brussel sprouts and mungbean sprouts. Prenylflavonoids are found in hop and its derived product beer. Lignans are found in whole-grain cereals such as flaxseed and in some fruits and vegetables (including celery, asparagus and broccoli).

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