Soya milk is the healthiest alternative to cow’s

Soya ‘milk’ is the healthiest alternative to cow’s, new research suggests.

When analyzing the four most popular non-dairy alternatives, soya was found to have the greatest nutritional profile due to its high levels of anti-cancer compounds, known as isoflavones, a study found.

Although trendy almond milk contains healthy fatty acids, which aid weight loss and lower so-called ‘bad’ cholesterol, other essential nutrients are lacking, the research adds.

Study author Sai Kranthi Vanga, a PhD student from McGill University, said: ‘Consumers associate these alternatives to be a direct substitute of cow’s milk which might not be true in all cases’. 

Cow’s milk is the most common allergy affecting babies, with up to 3.5 percent of infants suffering, however, around 80 percent grow out of this by 16 years old.

Lactose intolerance, which occurs due to insufficient levels of the enzyme lactase in the digestive tract, affects between 15 and 75 percent of adults, with up to 100 percent of those of Asian or native American origin suffering.

Soya ‘milk’ is the healthiest alternative to cow’s, new research suggests (stock)

DOES BEING VEGAN DURING PREGNANCY AFFECT CHILDREN’S DEVELOPMENT? 

Vegan mothers are more likely to have children who perform badly at school, research suggested in March 2017.

Such women are preventing their babies from getting enough of the vital nutrient vitamin B12 in the womb, a study found.

This then affects their development in later life, the research adds.

Children with low levels of vitamin B12, which is found in animal products such as meat, dairy and eggs, score worse on tests, the study found.

They also struggle to complete puzzles, as well as being less able to recognise letters and interpret other children’s feelings, the research adds. 

The researchers, from Uni Research in Bergen, believe having a vitamin B12 deficiency impairs, and even delays, brain development in young children. 

They collected blood samples from 500 infants in Bhaktapur, Nepal, to measure their B12 status. 

Around five years later they contacted more than half of these youngsters to conduct various tests of their mental ability. 

How the research was carried out 

The researchers analyzed the four most commonly consumed milk alternatives.

These are soya, almond, rice and coconut.

The researchers compared the nutritional qualities of 240ml of these unsweetened non-dairy drinks to cow’s milk.

What are the benefits of other non-dairy milks? 

Results further reveal that rice milk is liked for its sweet taste, however, it is very high in carbohydrates and offers little nutritional benefits.

Coconut milk, which is widely consumed in parts of Asia, helps to reduce bad cholesterol levels, however, it has no protein and is largely made up of fat. 

Its nutritional values also reduce if it is stored for more than two months.

The findings also show that despite soya milk’s benefits, many dislike its ‘beany’ flavor.   

Cow’s milk is still the healthiest 

Despite analyzing non-dairy alternatives, cow’s milk was still found to be the most wholesome drink, providing fat, carbohydrates and protein.

Past studies show drinking cow’s milk strengthens people’s immune systems, with infants who consume it having fewer fevers and lung infections.

Yet, pathogens such as Salmonella and E.coli from milk have caused serious outbreaks around the world. 

The findings were published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology.  



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