2023-07-29 07:41:59
New Research Shows Cow’s Milk is Nutritionally Superior to Plant-Based Alternatives
New research presented at the American Society for Nutrition conference in Boston reveals that cow’s milk and plant-based milk alternatives are not nutritionally equivalent. The study, which analyzed the nutritional labels of 237 plant-based dairy products from 23 different manufacturers, found that plant-based milk is often lower in vitamin D, calcium, and protein compared to cow’s milk.
Among the plant-based dairy products, oat milk was the most frequently fortified with calcium and vitamin D, with 76 percent of the oat milk products containing both nutrients. Soy milk and almond milk followed in the next places. However, there were significant differences in the nutritional content of the plant-based milk alternatives.
According to Dr. Abigail Johnson, a nutrition researcher at the University of Minnesota, manufacturers seem to be more focused on taste, mouthfeel, and other characteristics of the products rather than ensuring they are nutritionally consistent with cow’s milk. This explains the variations in nutritional content across different plant-based milk options.
While cow’s milk was found to be more nutrient-dense in terms of vitamin D, calcium, and protein compared to most plant-based alternatives, some experts question the results of the study. Dr. Christopher Gardner, director of the Stanford Diabetes Research Center, argues that the claim that cow’s milk is nutritionally superior is “bold.” He highlights the benefits of plant-based milk, such as its absence of cholesterol and low saturated fat content.
Despite the nutritional differences, experts state that individuals who prefer plant-based milk alternatives do not need to switch to cow’s milk. Most Americans already get enough protein in their diet, so the lower protein content in plant-based milk is not a major concern. To ensure adequate calcium and vitamin D intake from plant-based milk, it is important to carefully read the labels and choose products that provide similar amounts of these nutrients as cow’s milk.
In conclusion, while cow’s milk has a higher nutrient density compared to most plant-based alternatives, individuals can still meet their nutritional needs by choosing fortified plant-based milk products or sourcing calcium and vitamin D from other dietary sources.]
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