Soya baby milk concerns raised

USA – A study published this week suggests that feeding babies soya milk can weaken the immune system.

Researchers have advisedthat parents with no medical reason for feeding babies soya milk should consider using cows’ milk or breast feeding.

The research, carried out at the University of Illinois, USA, showed that soya infant formulae contain a chemical called phytoestrogen. This is similar to oestrogen, the female sex hormone. When tested on mice, phytoestrogen was found to affect development.

In the USA, soya milk is widely used as an alternative to breast milk and cows’ milk formulae.

In Europe, only parents with no other choice tend to feed their children soya milk.

According to the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT), phytoestrogen can have both beneficial and adverse affects on the body, but its actions are poorly understood. Phytoestrogen can also be found in carrots, asparagus and wheat.

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