Soy Protein's Calcium Content: What You Need To Know (2025)

Soy protein is a good source of bone-healthy nutrients. Epidemiological studies in Asia have shown a positive association between diets containing traditional whole soy foods and bone mineral density and fracture protection. However, smaller-scale intervention studies in Western nations have produced inconsistent results. Soy protein can be enriched with calcium without changing its functional properties, and calcium-enriched soy protein can be used to increase the calcium content in plant-based products.

Soy milk is a good source of calcium

However, it is important to note that the consumption of isolated soy protein does not alter calcium retention, even though urinary Ca excretion is less in diets with soy protein compared to proteins higher in sulfur-containing amino acids.

Plant-based diets with sufficient calcium supplements are needed to protect the body from calcium deficiencies. Calcium enrichment of protein ingredients during fractionation can provide a new route to increase the calcium content in plant-based products.

In a study, when soy protein was substituted for meat protein, there was an acute decline in dietary calcium bioavailability. This indicates that while soy milk is a good source of calcium, it may not be as readily absorbed by the body as calcium from animal-based sources.

Soybeans are a good source of bone-healthy nutrients

Soybeans are also a good source of calcium. Epidemiological studies in Asia evaluating diets containing traditional whole soy foods show a positive association with bone mineral density and fracture protection. However, smaller-scale intervention studies in Western nations that feature isolated soy protein (SP) and purified or concentrated soy isoflavones (SI) have produced inconsistent results. Consumption of SP does not alter calcium (Ca) retention, even though urinary Ca excretion is less in diets with SP compared with proteins higher in sulfur-containing amino acids.

The ratio of Na/Ca does not affect the protein and oil content in soy. Ca can be enriched without markedly changing the functionalities of soy protein. Plant-based diets with sufficient calcium (Ca) supplements are needed to protect the body from Ca deficiencies. The Ca enrichment of protein ingredients during fractionation can provide a new route to increase the Ca content in plant-based products.

However, it is important to note that when soy protein is substituted for meat protein, there is an acute decline in dietary calcium bioavailability. In a subset of subjects, intestinal calcium absorption tended to be lower when they consumed soy diets rather than meat diets.

Calcium can be enriched in soy protein without changing its functionalities

Soybeans are a good source of bone-healthy nutrients. Epidemiological studies in Asia have shown a positive association between diets containing traditional whole soy foods and bone mineral density and fracture protection. However, smaller-scale intervention studies in Western nations have produced inconsistent results. These studies mainly feature isolated soy protein (SP) and purified or concentrated soy isoflavones (SI) rather than whole soy foods. Consumption of SP does not alter calcium (Ca) retention, even though urinary Ca excretion is less in diets with SP compared with proteins higher in sulphur-containing amino acids.

Soy milk is an excellent source of protein if you're on a dairy-restricted diet. A cup of soy milk contains 7 grams of protein, only slightly less than whole or reduced-fat milk, which contains 8 grams. Getting some of your calcium from soy milk and other mineral-rich foods may be a healthy decision, according to the Harvard School of Public Health.

However, it is important to note that when soy protein is substituted for meat protein, there is an acute decline in dietary calcium bioavailability. High-protein diets increase 24-hour urinary calcium, but urinary calcium did not differ due to the type of protein.

High-protein diets increase urinary calcium

Soybeans are a good source of bone-healthy nutrients. Epidemiological studies in Asia evaluating diets containing traditional whole soy foods show a positive association with bone mineral density and fracture protection. Consumption of soy protein does not alter calcium retention even though urinary calcium excretion is less in diets with soy protein compared with proteins higher in sulfur-containing amino acids.

High dietary protein intakes are known to increase urinary calcium excretion and, if maintained, will result in sustained hypercalciuria. The majority of calcium balance studies in humans have not detected an effect of dietary protein on intestinal calcium absorption or serum parathyroid hormone. Therefore, it is commonly concluded that the source of the excess urinary calcium is increased bone resorption. However, recent studies indicate that alterations in dietary protein can, in fact, affect intestinal calcium absorption.

Soy diets can lead to an acute decline in dietary calcium bioavailability

The ratio of Na/Ca does not affect the protein and oil content in the ingredient. Ca can be enriched without markedly changing the functionalities of soy protein. Plant-based diets with sufficient calcium supplements are needed to protect the body from Ca deficiencies. Epidemiological studies in Asia evaluating diets containing traditional whole soy foods show a positive association with bone mineral density and fracture protection. However, smaller-scale intervention studies in Western nations mainly feature isolated soy protein (SP) and purified or concentrated soy isoflavones (SI) rather than whole soy foods and they have produced inconsistent results. Consumption of SP does not alter calcium (Ca) retention even though urinary Ca excretion is less in diets with SP compared with proteins higher in sulfur-containing amino acids.

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