Almond milk is beneficial for lactose intolerance, milk allergy, heart health and weight loss.
Many people have a partial or complete lactose intolerance or milk allergy. When we discuss lactose intolerance and milk allergy, we are referring to cow’s milk. Actually, almond milk is not milk. It just looks like milk. Almond milk is a milky drink – a creamy white liquid – made from ground almonds. Unlike animal milk, almond milk contains no lactose or any animal products.
Benefits of Almond Milk
Almond milk is an alternative to cow’s milk for people with lactose intolerance or milk allergy. What is lactose intolerant? When a lactose intolerant person drinks milk, it causes abdominal discomfort, bloating and diarrhea. Among those over the age of five, approximately 90-95% of black individuals, 20-25% of white individuals and almost all East Asian people (Chinese, Japanese, Koreans) have a partial or complete lactose intolerance.
Milk allergy is the most common food allergy in early childhood. Approximately 2-3% of children younger than 3 years of age are allergic to milk. So for those who suffer any of such symptoms after consuming milk products, almond milk is an milk-like alternative.
Almond milk is organic, lactose-free, or fat-free. It is good for cardiovascular health and can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Almond milk is low in calories and carbohydrates. It is also good for those trying to lose weight.
Almond milk is commercially available in a variety of flavors like chocolate, vanilla and plain. And it often enriched with vitamins.
Side Effects of Almond Milk
Though almond milk has many benefits, but please note:
1. Almond milk is not an adequate source of nutrition for a baby. If you use it as an replacement of breast milk or cow’s milk, the baby will suffer from malnutrition and likely develop health complications.
2. Almond milk is not good for people who have weak and dry lungs. According to traditional Chinese medicine guidelines, almond (especially bitter almond) is a downwarding herb. It affects lungs and large intestine. It moves fluids out of lungs and send fluids downward to intestines. That is why almond has effects to remove mucus or phlegm in lungs and relieve constipation in intestines.
