Delicious food is irresistible to everyone, especially nutritious and healthy food, which is always favored by people. So, which one has higher nutritional value, soy milk or milk? Let's find out:
Soy Milk vs Milk: What's the Difference in Nutritional Value
Soy milk is often referred to as the "common people's milk". It has many components similar to milk, but they come from different sources - plants and animals, respectively. Their nutritional composition is not exactly the same. Choose the one that suits you based on your specific situation.
1. Milk Builds Strong Bones
From the perspective of calcium supplementation, the calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in milk is more appropriate. It also contains factors such as vitamin D, lactose, and amino acids that promote calcium absorption, making it the main source of high-quality dietary calcium.
On the other hand, soy milk contains about 10 mg of calcium per 100 grams, which is only 1/10 of the calcium content in the same amount of milk. If you want to supplement calcium through soy milk, you need to take some measures.
2. Milk Delays Aging and Promotes Hair Health
Milk not only contains vitamins A and D, which are absent in soy milk, but also higher levels of vitamin B2 and B6. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can delay aging. Vitamin B2 promotes hair growth and helps with the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. Vitamin B6 is essential for regulating the nervous system and maintaining healthy skin.
3. Soy Milk Aids Weight Loss and Prevents Chronic Diseases
In terms of fat content, milk contains about 3% to 4% fat, while soy milk contains about 0.7% fat.
The fat in milk is mainly triglycerides, with a small amount of cholesterol. On the other hand, soy milk mainly contains unsaturated fatty acids and no cholesterol. Therefore, soy milk is a good choice for people with high blood lipid levels, obesity tendencies, and cardiovascular diseases.
The plant-based health-promoting components in soy milk, such as soy isoflavones, soy polysaccharides, and abundant dietary fiber, are effective in preventing diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and many other chronic diseases.
4. Both Can Provide Protein
In terms of protein content, both milk and soy milk contain high-quality proteins that are easily absorbed and utilized by the human body.
There is not much difference in protein content and absorption rate between the two. Moreover, they both contain the 9 essential amino acids required by the human body. Therefore, when it comes to supplementing protein, there is not much difference between soy milk and milk.
Considerations When Drinking Soy Milk
1. Some Medications Can Affect the Nutritional Composition of Soy Milk
Some medications can destroy the nutritional components in soy milk, such as tetracyclines (minocycline, doxycycline), macrolides (clarithromycin, azithromycin, roxithromycin), and other antibiotics.
2. Soy Milk Can Affect the Absorption of Medications
Calcium in soy milk can react chemically with certain components in medications (such as iron, calcium, and aluminum-containing preparations), forming precipitates. Prolonged exposure to this situation may lead to the formation of stones.
3. Protein in Soybeans Can Affect the Absorption of Iron
The protein in soybeans can hinder the absorption of iron by the human body. If you consume iron-rich foods or medications (such as oral ferrous sulfate solution) and drink soy milk at the same time, the absorption rate of iron will be significantly reduced, and the effectiveness of iron supplements may not be fully realized.
