These milk alternatives are especially recommended

Experts examine different milk alternatives

Many people around the world like to drink milk. Milk is a good source of calcium and protein, but it also contains important vitamins and minerals. Most people have already consumed milk from cows, but there are alternatives for lactose intolerant and vegetarians in the form of other milk. Researchers examined different types of milk in their study.

McGill University researchers wanted to find out how well milk from soy, almonds, rice, and coconut nutritionally keeps up with milk from cows. The experts published the results of their study in the English-language journal "Journal of Food Science and Technology".

Cows' milk contains many healthy ingredients

Cows' milk contains calcium, proteins and vitamins A, D, B2, B12 as well as minerals like zinc and iodine. However, vegans or lactose intolerant people can not drink milk from cows. Are there alternatives for these people? Exactly this question, the doctors tried to answer their investigation. For this reason, the researchers analyzed four popular herbal milk alternatives: almond, soy, rice and coconut milk.

Soy milk is the best substitute

The scientists found that soymilk was the healthiest. This is because this milk contains so much protein and helps people to eat a balanced diet. Soy milk is the best alternative for replacing cow's milk in the human diet, the researchers report. But why were the other three types of milk alternatives not rated as well as soymilk? The purpose of the study was to compare milk alternatives with cow's milk. So, all four alternatives were judged according to their suitability as near-perfect replacement for the animal product. Therefore, it was actually about which herbal milk could provide the same or at least similar nutrients, vitamins and minerals as cow's milk.

Almond milk does not have a high nutrient density

Almond milk could be an alternative to people who can not eat cow's milk, dislike the taste of soymilk, or have a soy allergy. The study rated almond milk as tasty and low in calories. However, the nutrient density and total calories of almond milk are not as high as those of cows' milk. In addition, there are also people who are allergic to almond milk.

Milk from rice contains a lot of sugar

Rice milk contains a comparable amount of calories as the milk of cows. However, rice milk contains a lot of sugar and can promote an unbalanced diet if consumed regularly. Rice milk is also a bad source of protein and fat, the researchers add.

Coconut milk contains little protein

Coconut milk has a good taste and has been classified as low in calories. But this milk contains little protein, but is rich in saturated fats. Rice milk and coconut milk may not be an ideal alternative to cow's milk because of limited nutrient diversity, but they are an option for consumers allergic to soybeans or almonds, explain the physicians.

Benefits for the heart health do not apply to milk from nuts

Milk from almonds and coconut has a good taste, but it contains a lot of water. Although nuts are actually high in monounsaturated fats and good for the heart, these benefits do not apply to milk made from nuts. The health benefits can only be enjoyed if the nuts are eaten, the researchers say. Coconut milk is also so rich in saturated fat that it could cause cardiovascular problems.

What makes soy milk so healthy?

Because of its nutritional value, soymilk has been used as a substitute for cow's milk in the West for over four decades. In the meantime, soy has been an integral part of the South Asian diet for hundreds of years. Soya is a unique food source rich in protein and fat. Soya seeds contain up to 45 percent protein and 20 percent fat. This makes soymilk an important protein source for vegetarians.

Choose calcium-fortified milk

No matter which alternative to cow's milk you are taking, be sure to choose a calcium fortified variety. If you always opt for a calcium-enriched alternative and best for unsweetened milk, the experts advise. (As)