Nearly 90% Of Plant-Based Milk Is Lacking Important Nutrition Found In Dairy, Per New Research
Almond milk, oat milk, etc. have become incredibly popular over the last several years, but a new study has uncovered that traditional dairy is much better for your health.
In recent years, veganism and vegetarianism have surged in popularity, evolving from fringe movements to mainstream lifestyle choices. This shift is driven by a blend of ethical considerations and growing societal trends. According to a report from The Vegan Society, there's been a fourfold increase in the number of vegans in the UK from 2014 to 2019. Similarly, the United States witnessed a massive rise in vegan consumers from 1% in 2014 to 6% in 2017.
Countless consumers were convinced that there are potential health benefits of plant-based diets, even though many of these claims have turned out to be false. There are also concerns about the environmental impact of animal agriculture and ethical reasons for abstaining from animal products. One product that has exploded in popularity over the last several years is plant-based milk alternatives. However, a recent study suggests that they’re really not that nutritious at all, and you might even be better off going with the traditional dairy.
Nearly 90% of Plant-Based Milk Is Missing Out on Important Nutrition Found in Dairy
According to market research firm Mintel, one in three people now consume plant-based milk substitutes, such as soya, oats, and almonds. However, a comprehensive analysis by researchers from the University of Minnesota found that just 12% of these alternatives could rival the nutritional value of traditional cow's milk, as reported by the Telegraph.
The study, encompassing 237 plant-based milks from 23 manufacturers, found that most of these products lacked equivalent levels of protein, vitamin D, and calcium—essential nutrients abundantly found in cow's milk. Of all the alternatives analyzed, including almond, cashew, coconut, flax, hazelnut, hemp, oat, pistachio, pea, rice, soy, walnut, and plant blends, just 28 matched or surpassed cow's milk in terms of calcium, vitamin D, and protein content.
Dr. Abigail Johnson, assistant professor and associate director of the University of Minnesota School of Public Health Nutrition Coordinating Center, cautioned consumers, saying, “Our results provide evidence that many plant-based milk alternatives are not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk. Consumers should look for plant-based milk alternative products that list calcium and vitamin D as ingredients. They may also want to consider adding other sources of calcium and vitamin D to their diets.”
The team discovered that 76% of the oat, 69% of the soy, and 66% of the almond-based alternatives were fortified with both calcium and vitamin D. However, only a meager 16% of the plant-based milks studied boasted a protein level equal to or higher than the 8 grams per 240 milliliters present in cow's milk. Among the vegan milks, soy and pea-based alternatives were more likely to contain higher protein levels.
Yet, while the study focused primarily on the nutrients found in cow's milk, the researchers plan to investigate further into other nutrients that might be present in plant-based milks and absent in traditional dairy—such as dietary fiber.
"We know from our dietary assessments for nutrition studies that consumers are choosing more plant-based milk alternatives,” Dr. Johnson added. “Our findings point to a need to ensure that consumers are aware that many plant-based milk alternative products in the marketplace today are not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk."
Product labeling requirements and public dietary guidance are among the suggested approaches that might aid in alerting and educating consumers about this nutrition gap. It's important to stress that individuals can still obtain a balanced diet while consuming plant-based milks—it just requires more diligent attention to the overall nutrient intake.
The findings were presented at Nutrition 2023, the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutrition held in Boston, Massachusetts. It adds a fresh dimension to the discussion surrounding plant-based diets, highlighting the need for more in-depth consumer education about the nutritional content of the foods they are increasingly opting for.
Plant-based milks are said to be more sustainable and cruelty-free when compared to dairy, but it is also essential to ensure that the switch doesn't compromise the nutritional balance in our diets. A well-planned diet that includes a range of foods, fortified or otherwise, can help to fill these nutritional gaps, thereby supporting a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. The vegan diet may be pushed by elitists, public health organizations, and various medical professionals, but more and more evidence is coming out showing that eating exclusively plant-based can have negative effects on people in the long run. Plants offer much nutritional value, but most people require additional nutrition that comes from high-quality animal sources.
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