Nowadays, more and more people choose to drink soy milk instead of cow's milk because of the added health benefits. So, what are the benefits of drinking soy milk as compared to cow's milk?
FIRST, soy milk contains only vegetables proteins. Vegetable proteins have the advantage that they cause less loss of calcium through the kidneys. It is known that a diet rich in animal creates a higher risk for osteoporosis.
SECOND, soy milk contain no lactose. About 75% of the world population cannot tolerate lactose. Some ethnic group are more affected than others. For example, 75% of Africans and 90% of Asians have lactose intolerance. As an additional benefit, soy milk contains the prebiotic sugars stachyose and raffinise. These prebiotic sugars boost innunity and help decrease toxic substances in the body.
THIRD, fewer people are allergic to soy milk.Only 0.5% of the children are allergic to soy milk, whereas 2.5% is allergic to cow's milk.
FOURTH, soy milk reduces cholesterol. The saturated fats in cow's milk are unhealthy and increase your cholesterol. The protein in cow's milk has no benefits for the cholesterol. Soy protein can decrease cholesterol levels.
FIFTH, soy milk contains no hormones. Cow’s milk contains natural hormones (from the cow) but also synthetic hormones, which can influence the good working of our own body. The synthetic hormone rBGH (recombinant bovine growth hormone) increase milk production by as much as 20 percent.
SIXTH, soy milk does not cause insulin dependent diabetes. Although no general consensus exists among scientists, some studies have shown an association between drinking cow's milk in early life and the development of insulin dependent diabetes. This association does not exist with soy milk.
SEVENTH, soy milk is rich in isoflavones. The presence of isoflavones is the most important and unique benefit of soy milk. Each cup of soy milk contains about 20 mg isoflavones (mainly genistein and daidzein). Cow’s milk does not contain isoflavones. Isoflavones have many health benefits including reduction of cholesterol, easing of menopause symptoms, prevention of osteoporosis and reduction of risk for certain cancers (prostate cancer and breast cancer). Incidents of these cancers are very low in countries with high intake of soy products, including soy milk. Isoflavones are also antioxidants which protect our cells and DNA against oxidation.
I don't like milk at all, but I love soy milk very much. I hate the smell of milk, but soy milk do not have that kind of smell. That's the reason why I only drink soy milk.
