Soy Milk Is the Healthiest Plant-Based Milk, New Study Suggests

In recent years, the sales of non-dairy milks have jumped 61%, but a new study found what the most nutritious milk in the category is. After analyzing four types of plant-based milks, scientists found that soy milk is the most nutritious.

Researchers at McGill University analyzed four types of milk alternatives to see which is the healthiest. The team noticed that little to no research had been conducted to see the health benefits of soy, rice, almond, and rice milks.

The nutritional value of each of these “milks” was compared to that of cow’s milk. Soy milk won the contest by a large margin as the most nutritious and balanced non-dairy milk there is.

Soy milk has been touted for its anti-cancer properties for years. The tiny molecules in soy milk called isoflavones decrease the risk of breast cancer in women later in life, according to an Oregon State University study.

Soy Milk the Healthiest Non-Dairy Milk

Researchers found that isoflavone supplements, however, are not that effective in keeping breast cancer at bay. The only drawbacks of soy milk are its bean flavor and the presence of some chemicals that reduces its digestion. All in all, soy milk is the closest to match cow-s milk nutritional profile.

Rice milk was also reviewed, but researchers found that it has little nutritional value. Researchers recommend rice milk to people that cannot tolerate almond or soy milks because of allergic reactions. Rice milk is also very high is carbohydrates, but it can lead to malnutrition in small kids.

Coconut milk is a high-calorie milk because it contains plenty of fats, but has no protein and few calories. Researchers recommend it for people with high levels of bad cholesterol. It is highly perishable, so ensure that you store it no more than a couple of months.

Almond milk did not make a good impression. It is considered the less nutritious non-dairy milk and needs complementary sources of food to prevent malnutrition. Almond milk can be helpful in lowering bad cholesterol levels, as well.
Image Source: Maxpixel

Bio
Latest Posts

Anne-Marie Jackson

Anna grew up on a steady diet of 20th century literature, science-fiction movies and Viking lore. Unsurprisingly she turned into a technology geek with an inclination for history & fantasy.