11 Reasons Why Drinking Almond Milk Can Make Your Life Healthier And Easier

Healthy plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk are growing in popularity, with almond milk being one of the most commonly purchased dairy-free milks. Almond milk is a tasty alternative for vegans or anyone suffering from dairy allergies. Cow's milk does provide more protein and calcium per cup. However, adding almond milk to a healthy diet has a number of benefits. Here are eleven reasons why drinking almond milk can make life healthier and easier.

Helps With Weight Management

Although almonds are made up of fifty percent fat and are high in calories, almond milk contains fewer calories than cow's milk and goat’s milk do because it is diluted with water. On average, one cup of almond milk contains 60 calories, one cup of whole milk contains 146 calories, two percent milk contains 122 calories, one percent milk contains 102 calories, and skim milk contains 86 calories. Substituting almond milk for cow’s milk can facilitate weight loss by keeping daily calorie consumption low. Many commercial brands of almond milk contain added sugar and syrups, so be sure to read nutrition labels and look for unsweetened versions without many additives.

Keeps The Heart Healthy

Almond milk contains no cholesterol or saturated fats because it is a plant-based milk. High cholesterol levels are a precursor to heart attacks and strokes. Replacing saturated fats with healthy fats, such as omega fatty acids, is an effective way to protect the body against coronary heart disease. The fat found in almond milk is beneficial for the heart. It plays an important role in decreasing the risk of metabolic syndrome disorder, which occurs as a result of high blood pressure and extra body fat around the stomach. Drinking almond milk on a regular basis also ensures that the body receives enough potassium, which acts as a vasodilator to reduce tension and strain on the heart. Potassium also helps to maintain a normal blood pressure.

Maintains Bone Strength

Almond milk may not contain the same amount of calcium that cow’s milk does, but it still provides thirty percent of the recommended daily amount and twenty-five percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin D. Many almond milk producers enrich their milks to increase the percentage of nutrients they contain. As a result, some almond milks contain more calcium and vitamin D than cow’s milk does. Calcium and vitamin D are essential for reducing the risk of arthritis and osteoporosis and improving immune function. These two nutrients also work together to maintain strong bones and teeth. According to a study conducted with animals, consuming monounsaturated fat, which is found in almond milk, is one way to prevent bone loss.

Makes Skin Glow

Containing fifty percent of the recommended daily dose of vitamin E, almond milk is an excellent food for keeping skin clear and glowing. Free radicals cause damage to the skin by depleting collagen and elastin, which are important for giving skin its elasticity and firmness. Vitamin E helps protect skin from the harmful effects of free radicals. Almond milk also contains antioxidants, which repair sun damage and regulate vitamin A levels. Riboflavin, which is yet another nutrient found in almond milk, helps the body synthesize the amino acid tryptophan and produce niacin. These substances improve circulation in the skin and moisture in cells. Almond milk can also be used directly on the skin to cleanse it.

Low Impact On Blood Sugar

Almond milk does not significantly increase blood sugar levels because it is naturally low in carbohydrates. In fact, the carb content of almond milk is lower than its fat and protein content. For this reason, almond milk does not cause a spike in blood sugar levels, making it a suitable milk for people with diabetes. In addition, because almond milk is low on the glycemic index, the body uses the carbs in it as energy instead of storing it as fat. This is just one of the reasons why almond milk is popular among people who are on a low-carb diet.

Contributes To Muscle Strength And Healing

The amount of protein in almond milk is limited, but the beverage does contain plenty of B vitamins, such as iron and riboflavin, which are essential for muscle growth and healing. The iron in almond milk helps muscles absorb and use protein for energy, growth, and repair. It also regulates certain cell functions, such as oxygen absorption. Riboflavin, also known as vitamin B2, helps to produce red blood cells and release energy from carbohydrates. Furthermore, studies have shown that almond milk may be helpful in preventing the growth of cancer cells, particularly in the case of prostate cancer. Unlike cow’s milk, which can stimulate the growth of cancer cells, almond milk has been shown to suppress the growth of prostate cancer cells by thirty percent.

Keeps Digestion In Check

Containing large amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre, almond milk protects the intestinal wall and colon. It also helps to regulate the absorption of sugar and fats while maintaining healthy cholesterol levels. In one serving, almond milk contains almost one gram of fibre, which is essential for healthy digestion. Furthermore, it is an easily digestible milk that is often recommended for people who cannot tolerate lactose. Although almonds and other types of nuts contain phytic acid, which is indigestible and can block minerals in food from being absorbed, soaking nuts to make milk reduces the phytic acid and makes them easier to digest. Soaking almonds also initiates the germination process, which deactivates the enzyme inhibitors. This increases the nutritional value of the nuts and makes them much easier to digest.

It Contains No Lactose

Studies have shown that approximately sixty-five percent of the human population may have difficulty digesting lactose. For people of East Asian descent, up to ninety percent of the population may be lactose intolerant, and in the United States, approximately twenty-five percent of the population has difficulty digesting lactose. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body lacks the enzymes needed to digest the sugar in cow’s milk. Although some people develop lactose intolerance as a child, it is also common to become lactose intolerant as an adult because adults' diets typically contain less dairy than children's diets do. Almond milk is a suitable lactose-free substitute for dairy.

Tastes Better Than Cow’s Milk

Although it still has an off-white colour and creamy texture, almond milk does not taste like cow's milk at all. It has its own unique flavour that contains a hint of nuttiness and is often described as tasting 'light' and 'crisp.' These days, it is easy to find a variety of almond milk flavours on store shelves. Some brands sell almond milk in as many as eight flavours, including original, vanilla, and dark chocolate. There are also ice creams and coffee creamers made from almond milk. If a recipe calls for milk, almond milk makes a great substitute in baked goods and smoothies because it has the same consistency as cow’s milk.

Does Not Require Refrigeration

Dairy products are pasteurized using a process that involves applying heat to destroy pathogens in foods. This method of heating milk gives it a shelf life of only five to fifteen days when refrigerated. If cow’s milk is left at room temperature, this shelf life dramatically drops and the milk becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and germs. Much like other nut milks, almond milk is produced using a different pasteurization process known as aseptic processing. This involves heating milk using sterile equipment and filling it under aseptic conditions, which prevents the milk from spoiling for an extended period of time. Dairy products that have been sterilized using aseptic processing and wrapped in sterile packaging do not require refrigeration. Once they are opened, however, all milks must be refrigerated.

It Is Easy To Make

Cow's milk and goat’s milk are difficult to make at home, but homemade almond milk is much easier to make. This is beneficial because when milk is made at home, it is possible to control what goes into it. To make homemade almond milk, soak a cup of raw almonds in cold water overnight. If tight on time, soak them for a couple hours in hot water instead. Then combine the soaked almonds and five cups of water in a blender. If desired, add sweeteners, such as dates or maple syrup, at this point. Once blended, pour the mixture into a nut milk bag or thin dish towel and squeeze it until all the liquid has been collected. The pulp can be discarded or saved to use in another dairy-free recipe.