Stick with Milk

No Gravatar
A glas of soy-rice milk ("Soja-Reis Drink...
A glas of soy-rice milk (“Soja-Reis Drink Natur” made in Germany by “Alnatura”) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Before I begin today’s post, I want to let you know that this does NOT apply to those who are lactose-intolerant.   Because they can’t deal with milk.  But, everyone else?  Reconsider your desire to substitute soy for real (or 1% or 2%) milk.

It seems that no one considered oral health when making that switch.  And, now, Dr. Reynolds, along with Drs. Dashper, Salon, Stacey, and Yuan and Mr. Stanton of the Melbourne Dental School (University of Melbourne) have compared some soy milk brands and milk for their effect on oral health- in particular their acidogenic (acid nature) characteristics.   The beverages were combined with Streptococcus mutans (a common microbe in the mouth, associated with the production of cavities), to determine if any changes in pH were to be recorded.

At a pH of 6.5, acid production with milk was about 15 to 20% of that when soy beverages were tested; when the pH was lowered to 5.5 (more acidic), the rates of acid production were 20 to 33% of that of soy beverages.  (Part of this is due to the lessened buffering capacity of soy versus milk beverages.) Not surprisingly, there were higher levels of soluble calcium in milk than in the soy beverages, even though the calcium levels were equivalent in both.

This is not terribly surprising, however, since we already know that milk rarely promotes cavities.  But, neither will the ingestion of a single dose of soy beverage.  Sucking on the beverage for a few hours (as an infant would do) is more problematic.  However, we must note that these were in vitro studies; an in vivo (real life) study must be performed to be totally positive about the results.

Enhanced by Zemanta
Share this:
Share this page via Email Share this page via Stumble Upon Share this page via Digg this Share this page via Facebook Share this page via Twitter
Share

19 thoughts on “Stick with Milk”

  1. Yeah, I am one of those lactose people, though I can eat cheese fine…Soy has another probably more subtle side affects as well…Soy contains phytoestrogens, which is similar in structure to estrogen, which causes a break down in estrogen quicker. It is used to help with menopause symptoms, and in some cases prostate issues. There is a huge debate on the health merits of soy and whether that is a myth or not. Personally it gives me hot flashes, so I had to switch to almond milk. That said, do you think the changing PH could be related to the epic amount of sugar soy milk is processed with? I’d say that is probable. Great post, Roy!
    Lisa Brandel recently posted..Renata by Lisa Brandel

  2. That is really interesting. I drink neither so I haven’t thought much about this before. I wonder how many others have? I have heard that milk allergies can cause ear infections . My youngest son had a milk allergy and was given soya milk on prescription (early 90’s) He then suffered from many many ear infections. Your post has me wondering about other comparisons between milk and soya milk. It is strange how we just except one thing to be healthier than the other without really researching first.
    Kama recently posted..Comment on Loving Confidence and Making a Commitment – L – (A-Z of Confidence) by Kama

    1. That’s an interesting concept, Kara. I had not heard of that- and with all the allergies in my family (yes, my children thank me daily), I’m surprised we hadn’t run into it.

      Now, I’ve got some research to do…

  3. My mother always told me “Just stick to what the cow gives you”. So yes, I am sticking with that!

    Though I like the soy substitute, I just see no reason for shifting. But yes, people do tell me that the soy creams are better because they have lesser calories. I really don’t know to what extent that is true.

    1. I certainly hope you don’t suck on soy milk all day long- so, the negative affects may not be as pronounced for you, Hajra. But, I’m with you- if not allergic, then there is no need to turn away from a truly natural product.

      Roy

  4. I was weaning my baby girl when she caught a cold at age 2. She developed loose stools that lasted for 3 weeks. The dr. was stumped. I pulled out my old LaLeche League materials and took her off all foods except for increasing the nursing. Guess what stopped. Turns out the kid is very, very allergic to many things. When she quit nursing at 3, I had weaned her onto Lactaid. What if I hadn’t had the best stuff in the world to offer her? Oh and soy milk doesn’t always work for menopause either, unfortunately. I just love it anyway. Thanks for the reminder, Roy.
    Ann Mullen recently posted..Noise Pollution: A Health Hazard for Seniors

  5. Thanks Roy for this interesting study. I do not drink soy milk, it fine I guess, but I use whole milk as I have learned and there are studies to back this up as well that dairy products should be eaten or drank with fats as it aids in the proper digestion of the product. It is interestingly enough the reason that some people are allergic to dairy products. Simply because their body does not know what to do with something that did not come the way it was made.

    It does not surprise me that soy milk has a higher acid rate. Not that I think there is any thing wrong with it, just that it does not start off in a milk form. So it has to be created and most veggies are a little higher in acid than dairy is. Thanks for the post this was very interesting to read. And I loved the comments. And I agree with Ann breast milk is best and that is why I have breast feed all my little ones.
    Gen recently posted..Intention Equals Creation

    1. Gen:
      You are right, that in the best conditions (assuming the mom can) that breast milk is the best choice for infants.
      But, many folks were under the impression that they could and should supplement with soy millk and not regular milk (because they thought it was healthier and better for thier infants). This data demonstrates that that may have been a foolkardy enterprise.
      Thanks for the information in the first paragraph, too!

      Roy

    1. Kristen:
      Introducing soy milk to a child is one thing. Using it in the bottle for babes is the critical issue that was determined by this research.
      Thanks for the visit- and especially for your comments.

      Roy

  6. I tried soy several years and and it was awful. I try to eat natural foods as much as possible so skim milk works for me. With regard to one of the comments, I’m going to try almond milk. It sounds good.

    A friend of mine refuses to give her kids milk because she has read that it has no value. I disagree. I like the calcium benefits and maybe I’m old school, but milk is something I’ll continue to give my kids.
    Lisa Kanarek recently posted..Bare Essentials: Keyboard, Corkboard and Room and Board

    1. Lisa:
      Your friend’s concept is one of the reasons why I felt that the post needed to be written.
      I understand the issue with vegans and not wanting milk to be part of their diets. However, they should know the risk their children are presented should soy beverages be employed in the bottles of babes.
      I personally cook with soy and almond milk. Since I keep kosher, it is possible to find non-dairy beverages that can be used to augment the concoction and add to the flavors. (Note that manufacturer’s claims that something is not dairy is inadequate for my use. One of the first things I learned when I began cooking (for myself and others) a half-century ago was that there is a difference between completely non-dairy and what the manufacturer says is non-dairy. (Check out Cool-Whip, the “non-dairy topping”. that is marked as dairy by the kosher authorities.)

      Roy

Comments are closed.