by RS Coolidge

Created on: January 16, 2009   Last Updated: January 28, 2009

There is a reason why man is the only animal, other than the house cat, to consume milk long after the end of childhood. The merits of milk are well known. Not all milk, however, is created equal. This article will discuss the main types of milk, show how they compare to one another and hopefully provide you, the reader, with ideas on which type of milk is right for you.

For most people, the word milk conjures up images of dairy cows grazing in fields. This is because, in the west, the milk that most people are accustomed to comes from cows. Rich in vitamins and minerals, the popularity of cow's milk stems, in large part, to its easy availability. It may be easy to acquire but its not so easy to digest. Studies suggest that up to 75% of the general population is lactose intolerant, making consumption of cow's milk a nauseating experience to say the least. Furthermore, in extreme cases cow's milk has been linked to other serious problems including diabetes in children and ovarian cancer in women. The dangerous possible side effects need to be weighed against the well known advantages that cow's milk provides.

A good alternative to cow's milk comes from its fellow mammal: the goat. Goat's milk contains lower levels of lactose than is typically found in cow's milk. Less lactose makes goat's milk a better option for the lactose intolerant, children and the elderly. Furthermore, goat's milk contains more vitamin A per unit than cow's milk. Vitamin A helps fortify a person against the danger of cancer. So for women who desire milk but fear ovarian cancer, goat's milk may be the answer. In the developing world, the benefits of goat's milk has been known for generations but, in the west, its merits have only just been discovered. Consequently, goat's milk is fast approaching cow's milk in popularity.

For those who desire milk but not when it comes from an animal there are two options available: Soy and rice milk.

Soy milk is extracted from soy beans. Studies find that soy milk is loaded with many important chemicals that help reduce the risk of cancer. Furthermore, soy milk is fortified with calcium and B12 to make it as vitamin rich as cow's milk. Soy milk does have its flaws. The first problem with soy milk is that anecdotal evidence suggests a link between soy milk and certain diseases like Alzheimer's disease. The more immediate problem, however, is the taste. Soy milk does not come in a standard form and can taste differently depending on how its made. It is not uncommon for some types of soy milk to taste like 'chaulk' according to drinkers. So if taste is of great concern then soy milk may not be for you.

Rice milk's claim to fame is its flavor. It's processed from brown rice and is typically unsweetened. It is generally very low in nutritional value so it should not be used as a primary source of milk for children. It can make for an excellent treat, however, for children and adults alike.

Life is filled with many complex choices. Deciding which type of milk to buy should not be one of them. The purpose of this article was not to provide answers to the cliqued 'got milk?' question but to suggest what type when the question is 'get milk?'.

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