Why is plant milk good for you

Is plant milk an alternative to cow's milk?

It is unfair to consider this drink as milk.

After all, milk, by definition, is a product of the mammary glands of mammals.

Vegetable milk (as it is commonly called) is nothing more than a drink made from water, seeds or nuts, a water emulsion of, for example, almonds, oats or rice. And naturally, the properties depend on the plant from which it was made, it is a different product.

What does it have in common with milk?

Only a liquid consistency and color, and not always, and the presence of the word "milk" in the name.

These herbal drinks are suitable for people with lactose intolerance or allergies to cow's milk protein.

They can be included in the diet of children from the age of one. But there is an exception - rice milk is not recommended for children under 4-5 years old because of the possible arsenic content in the rice bran used to make the product. The amount of arsenic in rice milk is safe and does not harm adults, but it can be harmful to children.

Each of the herbal drinks has its own taste, composition and digestibility. Some plant-based drinks will have a little more of certain vitamins, for example, peanut milk has more vitamin E than, say, soy milk.

• Oat milk contains beta-glucans, which have a positive effect on the immune system. In addition, calcium and vitamins A and D are often added to industrially produced plant milk.

• Soy milk contains more vegetable protein. This makes it close to cow's milk. It is also used to make soy cream and yogurt. Look for soy milk without added fat and added sugar.

• Coconut milk is higher in fat and calories than all types of vegetable milk. Such drinks can be present in our diet, but it is important to understand that they will not replace the beneficial properties of dairy products, which should be in small quantities in a healthy diet every day.

Vegetable milk is easy to make at home on your own, but you can't store it for a long time. It is most often added to coffee, used for baking, salad dressings and stewing vegetables.

What kind of milk do you prefer?