There are several different kinds of milk besides the regular cow’s milk. One of the most well-known is soy milk. Some people think that soy milk vs milk are interchangeable, which may be true if you just need something to pour over your cereal. However, there are several important differences that set the two apart.
Continue reading to learn more about:
– The nutrition of soy milk and regular milk,
– The benefits of each type of milk,
– The possible health risks of soy milk and regular milk, and
– Which milk that is better for you.
Nutrition
Soy milk does not contain any dairy product. It does not have any dairy protein and lactose. It has no cholesterol. Instead, soy milk is made from crushed soybeans that are mixed with some water. In general, soy milk contains lower calories along with significantly lower fat than regular milk. See also: Coconut Milk vs Soy Milk.
A 250-ml serving of soy milk contains about 138 kcal energy. It also contains 7 grams protein, 4 grams fat, and 25 mg calcium.The protein amount is only slightly lower, but the calcium content is much lower.
On the other hand, regular milk contains dairy proteins, lactose, and cholesterol. This milk is acquired from cows. It generally has higher calories, fat, protein, and calcium.
A 250-ml serving of regular milk contains about 150 kcal energy. It has 8 grams protein, 8.1 grams fat (with at least 4.7 grams saturated fat), 25 mg cholesterol, and 282 mg calcium. The nutritional values are indeed richer, but there are some elements that may cause issues for some people.
Benefits
Soy milk is especially recommended for people who are allergic to dairy proteins or have lactose intolerance. Soy milk has neither of the two elements, while coming with almost similar levels of nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and potassium. Hence, soy milk is also preferred by vegans and vegetarians.
Soy milkvs milk is good for people who want to lose weight due to the lower calories. It is great for people with high cholesterol and people with heart conditions. Finally, according to WebMD, soy milk is often recommended for women experiencing menopause symptoms, as the isoflavones can be used by the body like estrogens in some ways.
Regular cow’s milk is the most popular milk in the world. It is preferred due to the rich nutrition. It can provide essential proteins, extra calories from fats, vitamins, and minerals for infants as well as the elderly. The high calcium can maintain bone strength and health.
Potential Issues
Too much soy milk is bad, as it may cause thyroid disease and other conditions. On males, it may lead to lower sperm counts and fertility problems. This is probably because of its isoflavones. Soy milk should be avoided by women with estrogen receptor-positive cancer. This is because the cancer cells may feed on the isoflavones. Finally, some people may experience increased stomach acid after consuming soy milk.
Regular milk is not the most recommended milk if you want to lose some weight. Regular milk that is not fat-free contains high saturated fat and cholesterol, so it is bad for people with high cholesterol and heart problems.
Soy Milk vs Milk
| Soy Milk | Regular Milk |
|---|---|
| - Acquired from crushed soybeans | - Acquired from cows |
| - Lower protein, fat, and calcium | - Generally richer nutrients |
| - Suitable for weight loss due to the lower calories | - Higher calories which may be bad for weight loss |
| - No cholesterol; suitable for vegans and vegetarians | - Contains higher fat and cholesterol |
| - Too much soy milk is bad for males | - Generally more recommended for males |
Conclusion
If you don’t have any issue with high cholesterol or heart disease, regular milk is still more recommended. It generally has higher levels of nutrition. Males and women with estrogen receptor-positive cancer should choose regular milk. Meanwhile, soy milk is a good alternative for vegans and vegetarians, people with dairy allergy or lactose intolerance, and people with high cholesterol or heart disease.