Soymilk vs. cow’s milk

Famed pediatrician Dr. Benjamin Spock, in the last edition of his best selling Common Sense Book of Baby and Child Care, argued that cow’s milk was for baby cows not human children, suggesting that it may be a factor in childhood onset diabetes and in kids’ respiratory and ear problems. He encouraged mothers to give infants only human breast milk and to consider soy and rice milk products for older kids. Chief among available alternatives to cow’s milk is soymilk, which has about the same amount of protein but much more fiber than cow’s milk. In striking contrast with cow’s milk, soymilk actually reduces the body’s cholesterol levels. It also contains isoflavones, natural plant hormones that act as antioxidants and have been linked to many human health benefits including t he easing of menopause symptoms, protection against prostate problems, better bone health and even a reduction in heart disease and cancer risks.