Actor Ha Ji-won shares health benefits of unsweetened soy milk

Actress Ha Ji-won / Captured from YouTube

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Actor Ha Ji-won recently showed herself enjoying a latte made with unsweetened soy milk.

In a recent video uploaded to her YouTube channel, she demonstrated how to make a soy latte using low-sugar soy milk. After taking a sip, she commented, “You can really taste the unique nutty flavor of soy milk — it’s rich and savory.”

She added, “You can get both calcium and protein from it,” joking, “I’m at the age where I need to start taking care of myself, too.”

Debuting in 1996, Ha Ji-won rose to fame through hit dramas including "Damo," "Something Happened in Bali," "Hwang Jin Yi" and "Secret Garden."

A soy latte is made by combining espresso with soy milk. Compared with regular milk, soy milk offers a nuttier flavor, milder sweetness and a heavier body. Since soy milk contains no lactose, people who experience bloating or digestive discomfort after consuming dairy may find soy lattes easier to enjoy.

A cup of Ha Ji-won's soy milk latte / Captured from YouTube

Soy milk may also support weight management. It is rich in dietary fiber and plant-based protein. Fiber promotes bowel movements and helps maintain a feeling of fullness for longer by slowing digestion and preventing sharp spikes in blood sugar levels.

Plant protein from soybeans also helps curb overeating by increasing satiety. Protein is essential for building and maintaining muscle mass. A lack of muscle can lower basal metabolic rates, making it easier to gain weight even with small amounts of food intake. Muscles also help support and protect the skeleton and joints, contributing to overall bone health.

Another key nutrient in soybeans is isoflavones. Isoflavones may help enhance calcium absorption in the body, reduce bone loss and support the formation of new bone tissue.

According to a study by researchers at Aarhus University, published in the Danish medical journal Ugeskrift for Laeger, soy isoflavones showed positive effects in alleviating menopausal symptoms and helping prevent osteoporosis in women.

Actress Ha Ji-won looks at boxes of soy milk in her kitchen. Captured from YouTube

For those concerned about bone health, calcium-fortified soy milk may be a good choice. Choosing unsweetened soy milk can also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels. Sweetened soy milk products often contain high amounts of sugar, and excessive sugar intake has been linked to diabetes, obesity and fatty liver disease.

This article from Kormedi.com, Korea’s top health care and medical portal, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.