by Gail Bertram

Created on: January 14, 2009   Last Updated: January 01, 2011

"Got Milk?"

That iconic phrase has been used in United States marketing for over fifteen years, encouraging the nation to drink cow's milk. These days, the USA alone produces more than 82 million tonnes of cow's milk every year. However, with increasing dietary diversity, such as vegan lifestyle, and medical issues such as lactose intolerance arising within the population, the demand for milk alternatives has never been higher. So whether you believe in bovine or swear by soy, there's a type of milk out there for you.

Cow's Milk

Millions of gallons of cow's milk are sold world-wide every year, making it the most popular cool drink on a global scale. Due to mass production, it is also the cheapest available on the market, and the health benefits are widely studied.

It has been suggested that cow's milk is an excellent source of the following:

Calcium and Vitamin D: Essential for good bone health and may also help to protect against cancer, migraines and obesity.

Iodine: Necessary to regulate and maintain thyroid function.

Riboflavin and Vitamin B12: Helps to maintain cardiovascular health.

Low fat milks are beneficial to people suffering from a high risk of heart disease, while high calcium products can help to protect women against osteoporosis and other skeletal weaknesses.

It is inadvisable to feed cow's milk to infants due to the low iron content. However, above that age full fat cow's milk is encouraged because it is rich in essential vitamins, minerals and fats. These help children to develop strong bones and provide the necessary nutrients for rapid growth.

Sheep and Goat Milk

Many other mammals provide milk, but the most popular are goats and sheep. Both taste relatively similar to cow's milk, although the diet of the animal, whatever its species, will affect the flavor. Goat milk is slightly more watery than that from the cow, while sheep's milk is creamier and a little sweeter.

These animals are not farmed as intensively as cows, and therefore their milk may be more expensive. However, sheep's milk has a higher level of calcium and essential minerals than cow's milk, and may be more suitable for children, as it also provides a higher level of fat.

Goat's milk, on the other hand, is less nutritionally rich, but still contains reasonable levels of vitamins and minerals while having a significantly lower fat level, making it a suitable drink for those with high cholesterol or a high risk of cardiovascular issues.

Almond and Soy Milk

Milk from nuts

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