Many milk alternatives don't have as much Vitamin D, calcium and protein as cow's milk, according to US researchers. — dpa
THE RISING popularity of plant-based milk alternatives has, like the growing plant and lab meat industry, prompted debate about whether these variants are as good for you as their animal-sourced antecedents.
It depends, is the answer, when it comes to milk alternatives made from the likes of almonds, oats, peas or soy.
The University of Minnesota put over 200 such variants available in the US through their paces, assessing them for their nutritional content, but found only 12% had as much or more Vitamin D, calcium and protein as cow’s milk.
Consumers need not worry too much, however, as these milk placebos do have nutritional value. After all, almonds, oats, peas and soy would make any comprehensive list of healthy foods.
But while milk alternatives are usually a good source of fibre, adherents need to make sure they get enough calcium, protein and vitamin D from other sources.
”Our results provide evidence that many plant-based milk alternatives are not nutritionally equivalent to cow’s milk,” said the university’s Abigail Johnson, who presented her team’s research at the American Society for Nutrition’s annual conference in Boston last month.
”Based on these findings, 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,” said Johnson, who will next examine what nutritional advantages milk alternatives have over cow’s milk. – dpa
