Most plant milks are lower in key micronutrients than cow's milk

There is a person by the name ofClare Wilson.

Most plant-based milks have lower amounts of four important minerals than cow's milk. Milk substitute made from peaprotein has the same levels of cow's milk.

The FDA carried out the first large study to compare the levels of these four minerals in different plant-based milk substitute.

The popularity of alternative milks, which are usually made by grinding up produce such as almonds, oats or rice, soaking it in water and adding emulsifiers and stabilisers, has grown in recent years.

Producers in the US are required to state their concentration on packaging if they fortify their plant milks with calcium and iodine. Milk and other dairy products are a major source of some minerals that aren't required to be on the label.

Redan's team analysed the levels of the minerals in 85 samples of plant milks. Pea milk was similar to cow's milk in terms of the vitamins, but other products had lower levels.

cow's milk has about one-ninth the amount of phosphorus as almond milk. It is necessary for growth and tissue repair as well as the use of vitamins and minerals. Cow's milk has the same levels of oats.

The products had lower levels of the mineral than cow's milk. It's important for a healthy immune system to have selenium.

Redan says that those who consume plant-based milk alternatives lower in target minerals should look for other foods or beverages to get the vitamins and minerals they need.

According to the British Dietetic Association, nuts, seeds and lentils can be used to get all of those vitamins and minerals.

A balanced diet containing a variety of whole-plant foods, fortified foods and supplements would give people enough of the minerals in question, according to the UK's vegan society. She says that it is not necessary for plant alternatives to cow's milk to give the same amount of all the vitamins and minerals.

The findings were presented at the fall meeting.