Either plant-based or dairy, milk is one of the most resilient edible products. How could it not, when is the first food we ingest when we come into this world?
About Dairy and Plant-based Milk
Milk’s contents provide benefits for growth, such as lipids, lactose, and protein, essential amino acids and amino groups, essential fatty acids, vitamins, inorganic elements, and water. Dairy is effective at promoting muscle growth.
But milk has its limitations, and people started consuming alternatives, such as plant milk. Almond, cashew, peanut, soy, hemp, rice, oat, pea, quinoa, pumpkin seed, flax, coconut, you name it! They each have their advantages when compared to dairy, but they have disadvantages too.
Plant-based milk’s ancestor is horchata, made from tiger nuts, a traditional Spanish beverage dating from before the year 1000.
Coming from plants, it is cruelty-free. It is a simple mix of water and a specific ingredient. It is also eco-friendly, while the dairy industry is one of the most blamable sources for the ecology system. In some aspects, plant milk is healthier than dairy. And, no less important, it is lactose-free.
Dairy Vs Plant-based Milk – Pros and Cons
Plant-based Milk
Pros:
- It is lower than dairy in calories, fats, saturated fat, carbs, sugar, and has no cholesterol. It also contains fibers, unlike dairy. It is richer in calcium and vitamins A and B12.
Cons:
Take a good look at the recipient of plant-based milk. Many manufacturers add sugar and aroma to it, so it might not always be bio or healthier than cow’s milk.
Dairy
Pros:
- It has higher values of protein, potassium, sodium, and vitamin D. It also contains vitamins B6, C, D, K, E, thiamine, niacin, biotin, riboflavin, folates, iodine, magnesium, selenium, and pantothenic acid.
- Despite being more abundant in calories, fats, and sugar, dairy is an effective supplement for reducing body fat, some studies suggest. So, if it is just weight you are thinking when you choose plant milk, you should know that.
Cons:
- Food allergies and lactose intolerance.
- Cow’s milk, different from plant-based milk, might lead to heart disease in people with a history of cardiovascular conditions.
