Q: Can I take soymilk if cow milk is prohibited for stomach and mucus trouble?

A:Soymilk has long been a popular alternative for people who are unable to drink cow's milk (usually due to lactose intolerance). Soymilk is high in protein, and because it is made from beans, also contains considerably more fibre than cow’s milk. The biggest benefit of soymilk is isoflavones. Sounds complex, but basically isoflavones are chemicals very similar to the hormone estrogen. Isoflavones are connected to a host of health issues with the most important being the prevention of many cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis and more. Soymilk isn’t fat-free, though some people think it is. Soymilk does have a bit more fat than 2% cow's milk, but none of the nasty cholesterol (of which there is approximately 20 mg per cup, in 2% cow's milk). The biggest drawback of soymilk is the lack of calcium. Soymilk has only about a quarter of the calcium, compared to cow's milk. Many soymilk manufacturers are adding calcium to their products, but that it is not as healthy as naturally occurring calcium. I suppose when it comes to adding soy milk to ones coffee or tea, it might seem like a small point considering the quantity. But when it comes to your health, you should make every drop count.