Australians are drinking more soy-based beverages than ever before – and fewer sports or energy drinks.

According to Roy Morgan Research, in the 12 months to the end of March, 5.7 per cent of Australians aged 14 and older drank at least one soy-based drink per week.

Energy and sports drinks were both consumed by 5.6 per cent of Australians per week, representing a dip of 1 per cent on 2011-12 numbers in the former case and one of 0.4 per cent in the latter.

Consumption of soy-based drinks, on the other hand, was up 0.4 per cent.

The number of people who consumed iced tea remained unchanged at 4.7 per cent, while another 4.7 per cent of people said they consumed breakfast beverages, an increase of 0.3 per cent.

ACT residents drink the most soy beverages, according to the research, with 9.3 per cent claiming to drink them at least once a week. Melbourne residents came second with approximately 8 per cent doing so, while only 6 per cent of Sydneysiders could bear to tear themselves away from the creamy deliciousness that is, you know, actual milk.

Then again, not even those who drink soy regularly have torn themselves away from it. It’s not like 1.1 million Australians have suddenly become lactose intolerant (though there are probably that many running around claiming that they have). Roy Morgan Research found that almost one third of people who said they consume soy on a weekly basis also said they drink regular milk. Why anyone not allergic to dairy would subject themselves to soy milk was unclear, though Roy Morgan Research’s Norman Morris had a few ideas.

In addition to the lactose intolerant, “consumers interested in health and nutrition are also more inclined to drink soy beverages,” he said. “For example, people who ‘favour natural medicines and health products’ are more than 50 per cent more likely than the average Aussie to drink soy milk, as are those who ‘look for drinks with added ingredients that are good for my body’.”

“However, the fact that almost a third of soy drinkers also consume regular dairy milk suggests that for some people, soy drinks aren’t a lifestyle choice but simply another beverage option,” he said. “Just as a consumer might drink coffee and hot chocolate, or cola and lemonade, so too might someone vary the kind of milk they consume.”

Holier-than-thou types on the one hand and try-anything, open-minded types on the other? Sounds about right to us.