SUSU KEDELAI:ALTERNATIF MAHALNYA SUSU SAPI

Kalau harga susu sapi membubung tinggi, mungkin susu kedelai bisa jadi pengganti. Sebab mutu proteinnya nyaris sama dengan susu sapi. Dua gelas susu kedelai sudah dapat memenuhi 30% kebutuhan protein sehari
Sejak abad II sebelum Masehi, susu kedelai sudah dibuat di negeri Cina. Dari sana kemudian berkembang ke Jepang dan setelah PD II masuk ke Asia Tenggara. Di Indonesia, perkembangannya sampai saat ini masih ketinggalan dengan Singapura, Malaysia, dan Filipina. Di Malaysia dan Filipina susu kedelai dengan nama dagang “Vitabean” yang telah diperkaya dengan vitamin dan mineral, telah dikembangkan sejak 1952. Di Filipina juga dikenal susu kedelai yang populer dengan nama “Philsoy”. Sementara di tanah air baru beberapa tahun terakhir dikenal susu kedelai dalam kemasan kotak karton yang diproduksi oleh beberapa industri minuman.

Gizi susu kedelai
Komposisi susu kedelai hampir sama dengan susu sapi (lihat tabel). Karena itu susu kedelai dapat digunakan sebagai pengganti susu sapi. Susu ini baik dikonsumsi oleh mereka yang alergi susu sapi, yaitu orang-orang yang tidak punya atau kurang enzim laktase dalam saluran pencernaannya, sehingga tidak mampu mencerna laktosa dalam susu sapi.

Laktosa susu sapi yang lolos ke usus besar akan dicerna oleh jasad renik yang ada di sana. Akibatnya, orang yang tidak toleran terhadap laktosa akan menderita diare tiap kali minum susu sapi. Umumnya, mereka orang dewasa yang tidak minum susu pada waktu masih kecil. Karenanya, penderita kebanyakan berasal dari kawasan Asia, Afrika, Amerika Latin, dan negara-negara berkembang.

Untuk balita dua gelas susu kedelai sudah dapat memenuhi 30% kebutuhan protein sehari. Dibandingkan dengan susu sapi, komposisi asam amino dalam protein susu kedelai kekurangan jumlah asam amino metionin dan sistein. Tetapi, karena kandungan asam amino lisin yang cukup tinggi, maka susu kedelai dapat meningkatkan nilai gizi protein dari nasi dan makanan sereal lainnya.

Mutu protein dalam susu kedelai hampir sama dengan mutu protein susu sapi. Misalnya, protein efisiensi rasio (PER) susu kedelai adalah 2,3, sedangkan PER susu sapi 2,5. PER 2,3 artinya, setiap gram protein yang dimakan akan menghasilkan pertambahan berat badan pada hewan percobaan (tikus putih) sebanyak 2,3 g pada kondisi percobaan baku. Susu kedelai tidak mengandung vitamin B12 dan kandungan mineralnya terutama kalsium lebih sedikit ketimbang susu sapi. Karena itu dianjurkan penambahan atau fortifikasi mineral dan vitamin pada susu kedelai yang diproduksi oleh industri besar.

Dari seluruh karbohidrat dalam susu kedelai, hanya 12 - 14% yang dapat digunakan tubuh secara biologis. Karbohidratnya terdiri atas golongan oligosakarida dan golongan polisakarida. Golongan oligosakarida terdiri dari sukrosa, stakiosa, dan raffinosa yang larut dalam air. Sedangkan golongan polisakarida terdiri dari erabinogalaktan dan bahan-bahan selulosa yang tidak larut dalam air dan alkohol, serta tidak dapat dicerna.

Secara umum susu kedelai mempunyai kandungan vitamin B2, B2 niasin, piridoksin, dan golongan vitamin B yang tinggi. Vitamin lain yang terkandung dalam jumlah cukup banyak ialah vitamin E dan K.

Salah satu produk susu kedelai yang baik adalah Melilea Organic Soya Drink produk susu kedelai yang diproses melalui teknologi modern sehingga menghasilkan gizi tinggi, tekstur yang lembut dan cita rasa yang benar-benar lezat. Nilai gizi dari kacang kedelai yang mengandung protein kacang kedelai, zat besi dan gizi-gizi lain yang baik untuk tubu Anda, tetap Anda rasakan! Sangat cocok untuk bayi yang alergi terhadap susu Sapi, dan sangat baik di konsumsi bagi mereka yang mengalami obesitas, karena tidak mengandung kolesterol, serta kandungan Flavanoidnya sangat baik.

Read More

Watermelon Juice: A Thirst Quenching Super Food Juice

(NaturalNews) Watermelon is a deliciously thirst quenching, healing super food. Juicing watermelon is especially nutritious because you can juice the entire melon…fruit, rind and seeds, all of which offer incredible benefits. In fact, studies show that the most nutrient dense part of the melon is the rind, and the seeds contain beneficial fat. When only the red part it eaten, we throw away the goodness that makes this such a spectacular food. The whole fruit is also far lower in sugar than the red fruit juiced on its own.

Watermelon juice is wonderful for athletes and active people because it is deeply hydrating. Gatorade and other re-hydrating drinks cannot possibly compare with the rebalancing power of this yummy juice. Watermelon not only moistens the body and the cells, it also flushes out the kidneys, gall bladder and bladder.

Bursting with Antioxidants

This sweet and juicy fruit is full with some of nature's most potent antioxidants. It is a dense source of vitamin C and beta-carotene (which turns into vitamin A in the body). These powerful antioxidants are the natural antidote to aging and disease causing free radicals. They are at the root of most illnesses. Vitamin C and beta-carotene neutralize these damaging molecules so that we can defy age naturally. A diet high in these two vitamins is known to reduce the risk of heart disease, asthma, arthritis, and even cancer. They also boost the immune system and improve eyesight.

Loaded with Lycopene

Tomatoes are renowned for their high level of the potent antioxidant lycopene, but watermelon juice is a very concentrated source as well. Scientific studies show that people who eat a diet high in lycopene are much less likely to suffer with these problems than people who don't.
The cancer preventing properties of Lycopene have been extensively studied. It has been shown to protect against a growing list of cancers including prostate cancer, breast cancer, endometrial cancer, lung cancer and colorectal cancers. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study which found that people who had colorectal polyps, which is an early warning sign for colorectal cancers, had 35% lower levels of lycopene than those with no polyps.

Studies have also revealed that people are less likely to get sunburnt after increasing their levels of lycopene. It protects cells and other structures in the body from oxygen damage and even DNA damage.

Watermelon Juice is High in B6

Vitamin B6 is vital for balancing the brain and reducing the symptoms of anxiety and depression. It is also a very good hormone regulator and helps women through their menstrual cycle.

So if you don't already indulge in watermelon juice, you might consider making it part of your regular juicing menu. You can mix it with other vegetables for even more amazing health benefits. Watermelon, celery, cucumber and ginger is a delicious combination that will enhance beauty, health and overall wellbeing.

Read More

Milk Thistle for Liver Repair

(NaturalNews) There may be disagreement from gardeners and landscapers about the positive aspects of milk thistle, but as far as its herbal benefits, milk thistle is a very beneficial plant. When mature, it can be several feet tall and it boasts a pretty purplish full bloom on top. It is best admired carefully, however, because its stem and leaves have sharp thorns. You will discover that navigating these thorns is worth it when you learn all of the benefits that can be derived from this powerful plant.

•The stem can be peeled to remove the thorns and then can be consumed like celery.
•The leaves can be steamed similar to spinach.
•The roots can either be boiled or even eaten raw.
•The seeds are edible as well (however these are potent and this should only be done under the supervision and guidance of an expert).

The interesting thing about this herb (and many others) is that the way most of us consume our herbs is to automatically purchase the prepared (and often) synthetic version of the herb. Milk thistle is a great example of an edible herb that when eaten in its natural state can be not only delicious, but beneficial for our bodies. Milk thistle has long been a recognized beneficial herb by herbalists and is also very popular in Europe.

Milk thistle contains flavonoids that have direct beneficial effects on the liver. There are even recent studies that have concluded that the flavonoids contained in milk thistle can help treat acute and chronic hepatitis, jaundice, and may even counter the ill effects of alcohol consumption and some drug consumption. In short, milk thistle can repair the liver and even promote the development of new liver cells.

The liver is the second largest organ and the proper function of the liver is paramount to humans' overall good health. The liver produces bile, which is needed for fat breakdown. The liver also detoxifies the pollutants that enter the bloodstream. These detoxification abilities include alcohol, nicotine, and toxins from the air around us (including carbon monoxide). As our environment becomes more and more toxic our livers must work ever harder to keep up. People who work with chemicals, who are exposed to second-hand smoke, or who regularly drive in rush-hour traffic should seriously consider helping their liver out by supplementing with milk thistle.

Milk thistle is not one of the new miracle supplements that are being promoted among the supplement manufacturers. It is a powerful herb with a specific purpose and function that can benefit a large segment of our population. Almost everyone comes into contact with chemicals on a regular basis. Unfortunately, many of us are exposed to second-hand smoke all too often. Additionally, a large percentage of us spend time every day in rush-hour traffic. For these reasons, everyone could benefit from supplementing their diets with natural milk thistle.

Read More