The Benefits of Soy Vs. Cow's Milk

Although soy milk is a new discovery to many Western consumers, it's been produced in China for nearly a thousand years. Soy grows well in many geographic regions, it's cheap to produce and its products are as diverse as dairy products. Cow's milk, ice cream, cheese, yogurt, and butter--just to name a few products--all have quality soy alternatives. That's good news for people who prefer soy to cow's milk.

Nutritional Benefits

• Soy is a superior source of vitamin E, which according to the National Institutes of Health benefits the heart, circulation and skin. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the isoflavones found in soy milk can help lower LDL levels, known as the bad cholesterol. These isoflavones are absent from cow's milk. Soy milk has more protein, half the fat, slightly less calories and significantly more iron than whole cow's milk. Although soy milk has less calcium than cow's milk, some soy milk providers make a fortified soy milk with the same amount of calcium as cow's milk. Like cow's milk, soy milk also is available in low or nonfat varieties. It also comes in many delicious flavors.

Lactose Intolerance

• The health benefits of soy milk are significant for people who cannot consume dairy products. People with lactose intolerance are unable to digest the lactose in cow's milk. This disorder can result in gas, bloating and diarrhea. Other people are simply allergic to milk or any of its byproducts. Milk allergies can cause many problems, such as skin rashes and breathing problems.

Ecological Benefits

• Raising cows for either milk or meat requires a lot of land. Moreover, each cow consumes about 90 pounds of feed per day. So it takes a lot of energy to sustain a cow. Although it's difficult to quantify, dairy cows have additional expenses in terms of veterinary care and daily milk production. The soybean plant is a legume, which means it rejuvenates soil by putting nitrogen into the ground.