Effects of soy milk consumption on inflammatory markers and lipid profiles among non-menopausal overweight and obese female adults

Few studies have evaluated the effects of soy milk replacement in the diet on inflammatory markers among nonmenopausal overweight and obese female adults. We evaluated the effects of soy milk compared to cow's milk on inflammation and lipid profiles among non-menopausal overweight and obese female adults. METHODS: This cross-over randomized clinical trial was conducted on 24 overweight or obese women. There were two 4-week trial periods (soy milk period and cow's milk period). In the soy milk period, only one glass of soy milk (240 cc) was replaced instead of one glass of cow's milk (240 cc). RESULTS: Fat contents in soy milk and cow's milk were 1 g per 100 ml and 1.5 g per 100 ml, respectively. Serum low density lipoprotein (LDL) level reduced significantly following soy milk period (mean percent change in soy milk period vs. cow's milk period: -11.22 ± 3.85% vs. -1.18 ± 2.82%; p = 0.01). Inflammatory factors and other lipid profiles did not change significantly after the soy milk period compared to the cow's milk period. In addition, soy milk could not reduce the weight of non-menopausal overweight and obese female adults. CONCLUSIONS: Soy milk replacement had beneficial effects on LDL levels in a short term trial among overweight and obese women. However, it had no significant effects on inflammatory markers and other lipid profiles among these nonmenopausal overweight and obese adults.