Human Exposure to Potentially Toxic Elements from the Consumption of Soybean Beverages Commercialized in Spain

Abstract

Plant-based beverages have been positioned as an alternative to cow's milk. One of the most consumed plant-based beverages are those made with soybeans. Soybean beverages may be an important source of essential elements. However, the soybean plant is exposed to high amounts of contaminants from the soil and the environment, such as toxic metals. For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine the content of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) (Fe, Cu, Cr, Co, Mn, Mo, Zn, B, Ba, Ni , Li, Sr, V, Al, Cd, Pb) in order to evaluate the human exposure and the toxic risk from the consumption of these products. A total of 40 samples of different brands of soybean beverages were analyzed by ICP-OES (inductively coupled plasma - optical emission spectroscopy). The most notable PTEs is Al (3.93 mg/L), followed by Fe (1.91 mg/L) and Ba (0.69 mg/L). Considering a mean consumption of two serving per day (250 mL/serving), soybean beverages would contribute to the dietary intake of essential elements such as Fe and Mn. This consumption would mean considerable percentages of contribution to the maximum intakes of Al and Pb, which do not exceed the maximum values ​​indicated, but in cases of higher consumption these values could be exceeded with the consequent risk to public health.

Metals in Cow Milk and Soy Beverages: Is There a Concern?

“…Heavy metals inherent to CM are characterized by their bioaccumulation and ability to trigger cancer, mutagenicity, and developmental problems in children [ 2 , 7 , 24 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 ]. More recently, plant-based beverages like soybean beverages have been marketed as alternatives for CM [ 23 ], and they are currently one of the most consumed soybean by-products in the world [ 9 ]. Soybean plants and, consequently, SBs, contain high concentrations of contaminants, including toxic metals [ 9 , 21 ].…”

“…In the last few decades, the increased consumption of plant-based protein as a substitution for animal sources has been seen globally [ 8 , 9 ]. Soy beverages (SBs) are plant-based protein-rich beverages that are produced from soybeans; they are a steady emulsion of water, oil, and protein.…”

“…Thus, according to a report from the Subcommittee on Economic and Consumer Policy of the Committee on Oversight and Reform, U.S. House of Representatives [ 15 ], there is a great concern regarding Pb and Cd exposure from baby food. CM and SBs alone or as ingredients of many processed foods can contribute to this heavy metal exposure [ 9 , 16 , 38 ]. Even so, as reported by another Subcommittee Report [ 39 ], several baby food companies provided documents on toxic heavy metal levels in baby food.…”

Fluoride Exposure from Soybean Beverage Consumption: A Toxic Risk Assessment

“…The increase in environmental pollution and its impact on crops, especially soybeans, constitutes a risk to consumer health. Soy is capable of absorbing potentially toxic elements [ 16 , 17 , 18 ]. Among the different chemical elements that can pose a health risk, it is worth highlighting the fluoride ion.…”

“…The concentration of this ion can increase for various reasons such as human activity (pesticides, water fluoridation, etc.) or natural phenomena (volcanic emissions, soil erosion with high fluoride content, fluoride leaching into water) [ 18 ]. In the case of soybean beverages, the reasons for the presence of fluoride are the fluoride content of the soil, the fluoride concentration of the water used in the soybean harvest and the water used in producing the homogenate.…”