Why regular milk is better than soy milk

In recent times, a lot of hype has been created around soy milk, which is made from the seeds of soybean plant. Soy milk is being marketed as an alternative to regular milk and milk products such as best full cream milk, organic curd, cow milk products, etc. Due to extensive marketing of such products, many people are giving up regular milk and opting for soy milk. However, this may not be the best decision since several recent studies indicate that soy milk has many health issues. Let's take a look at some of the health concerns associated with soy milk.

Calcium - The calcium in soy milk is not natural and is a synthetic compound. As compared to this, the calcium in the best full cream milk, organic curd, and cow milk products is 100% natural. Furthermore, research studies also reveal that the body needs Vitamin K2 for proper absorption of calcium. This vitamin is naturally found in regular milk derived from cows and buffalos. So, even when soy milk may claim to have the same level of calcium, its fails the test when it comes to absorption of the type of calcium present. 

Vitamin D and Vitamin A - Research studies have found that the type of vitamin D suitable for humans is Vitamin D3, which is present in food sources such as the best full cream milk, organic curd, and cow milk products. In comparison, soy milk has the factory-produced Vitamin D2, which is very difficult to absorb by the human body and may even be harmful, as research studies indicate. Furthermore, Vitamin D requires healthy, natural fats to get absorbed in the body. Such healthy fats are abundantly present in cow and buffalo milk whereas the same may not be true about soy milk. The Vitamin A in soy milk is also a factory-produced, synthetic compound, which does not have the required co-factors for proper absorption in the body. In comparison, milk from cows and buffalos has natural Vitamin A, which is readily absorbed by the body.

Phytic Acid - Soy milk contains Phytic Acid, which has shown to limit the absorption of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and zinc. As per research studies, Phytic Acid also inhibits certain enzymes such as pepsin, which is required to break down proteins in the stomach; amylase, required for converting starch into sugar; and trypsin, required for digestion of protein in the small intestine.

In comparison, the best full cream milk, organic curd, and cow milk products are completely free from such harmful substances.

Evaluating Milk Myths - Uncover the truth

Myths are like weed that grows among a good crop. They do nothing except harm the good crop that is growing in the field. Myths are usually based on personal assumptions, without any proper scientific evidence or proof. A lot of myths are associated with milk as well, which drives away many people from using milk and realizing its immense benefits. Here, we shall attempt to bust some common myths associated with milk such as fresh milk, healthy double toned milk, etc. 

Milk Myth 1 - Milk causes kidney stones: On the contrary, milk may actually help reduce the formation of kidney stones. A study involving a group of men aged between 40 and 75 years, conducted over a period of 4 years, found that individuals who consumed a diet rich in calcium (1,326 mg calcium/day) such as those coming from cow milk and cow milk products, had a 34% reduced risk of developing kidney stones, as compared to people whose calcium intake was only 516 mg per day. Scientists have found that the role of calcium in formation of kidney stones is linked to the use of factory produced calcium such as calcium supplements available in medical stores. Since the calcium in milk is 100% percent natural and organic, milk consumption does not lead to the formation of kidney stones in the human body. 

Milk Myth 2 - Milk causes excess mucus production: There is a general belief among many people that drinking milk causes excess secretion of mucus, a condition that can aggravate symptoms of cold and asthma. However, recent scientific studies have shown that there is no clear evidence linking consumption of milk and cow milk products with increased congestion in upper or lower respiratory tract. Furthermore, the research studies also noted that milk cannot be blamed for symptoms like coughing and increased nasal secretions. On the contrary, fresh milk and healthy double toned milk may help recover faster since it will supply a wide variety of nutrients as well as the fluids needed to recover from cold. 

Milk Myth 3 - Milk causes early puberty: Some people say that dairy farms use bovine growth hormones (BST), which gets into the milk and eventually into humans, resulting in early puberty. However, the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has debunked this theory by saying that around 90% of such hormones are eliminated during the process of pasteurization and the remaining are broken down into inactive compounds in the gut. Since this is scientifically tested evidence, it becomes clear that freshmilk and healthy double toned milk do not have any link with early puberty.