Got MYLK?

The term MYLK refers to a white substance extracted from plant sources like almonds, cashews, soya, coconuts, etc.

Despite the considerable advantages of consuming cow milk, it has various associated disadvantages. To begin, various pathogens in milk have been linked to causing widespread disease outbreaks around the world. Also, cow milk allergy is one the most common allergies among infants and children.

Other issues widely associated with the consumption of cow milk, in both males and females, are lactose intolerance, and cancer. The main source of the lactose carbohydrate in our body is human and cow milk. The intolerance is due to the absence of the enzyme, lactase, in the digestive tract.

Therefore, the presence of cholesterol and vegetarianism have pushed people and the food industry to look for healthier alternatives.

The food industry has addressed these demands by introducing various plant-based milk beverages promoted as alternatives. These alternatives, also called ‘non-dairy alternatives,’ mainly include soy, almond, rice, cashew and coconut milk. Some other sources have also been used to produce these milks, but in minor quantities, like hemp, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, flax, and oats.

Plant based alternative milks

Almond milk: People have consumed almond beverages for a long time because of their flavor and taste. Recently, almond milk has become one of the most popular plant based alternative milks. The various health benefits involved in the consumption of almonds, are also one of the major factors that helped boost the consumer demand for it. Almonds have a high content of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), that are helpful in weight loss and weight management. Almonds also act as a vital source of various nutrients including proteins, fiber, vitamin E and manganese.

Soy milk: Soy is a unique dietary source which is very rich in proteins and fat. These seeds contain up to 35–45% protein and 20% fat, acting as an important source of protein especially for vegetarians. People widely consume soy milk for its health benefits, primarily because it contains isoflavones, which exhibit anti-cancer properties.

Coconut milk: It has a unique nutritional composition. Various researchers have found undeniable evidence that the consumption of coconut milk can increase the HDL (high-density lipoprotein) levels, which help in reducing the harmful LDL (low-density lipoprotein).

The incline of plant-based milk alternatives (MYLK) and decline of bovine milk is concerning from a public health perspective, yet, individuals and families could be using plant-based milk alternatives as total and complete nutritional replacements to bovine milk, with no other modification to their diet to make up for nutritional losses.

For personalized nutritional guidance and to embark on a journey towards a healthier lifestyle, feel free to reach out to our dedicated team of dietitians. Connect with us on WhatsApp and other social media platforms to explore tailored advice, and consider subscribing to our varied meal plans such as the vegan and vegetarian meal plans for a comprehensive approach to well-balanced nutrition. Here’s to your health and well-being!