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How well do plant based alternatives fare nutritionally compared to cow's milk?
Sai Kranthi Vanga1, Vijaya Raghavan1
1Department of Bioresource Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Environmental Studies, McGill University, 21,111 Lakeshore Road, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC H9X 3V9 Canada.
Journal of Food Science and Technology
|January 24, 2018
Summary
Plant-based milk alternatives like almond and soy milk are popular due to cow
Area of Science:
- Food Science
- Nutrition
Background:
- Growing consumer demand for plant-based milk alternatives driven by lactose intolerance and milk allergies.
- Increased market availability of plant-based beverages, such as almond and soy milk, as cow's milk substitutes.
- Limited research on the short-term and long-term nutritional implications of consuming these alternatives.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the nutritional content of cow's milk with popular plant-based milk alternatives.
- To provide a detailed nutritional outline and discuss health benefits of widely consumed plant-based milk beverages.
- To aid consumers in making informed decisions regarding milk choices.
Main Methods:
- Review of nutritional data for commercially available plant-based milk alternatives.
- Focus on four widely consumed plant-based milk beverages.
- Comparative analysis of nutrient profiles against cow's milk.
Main Results:
- Significant nutritional differences exist between cow's milk and plant-based alternatives.
- Nutrient profiles vary considerably among different types of plant-based milk.
Conclusions:
- Plant-based milk alternatives are not always direct nutritional substitutes for cow's milk.
- Consumers should be aware of the specific nutritional content and health benefits of each alternative.
- Informed choices can be made by understanding the detailed nutritional landscape of these beverages.
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