Is Vegan Milk Better Than Cow's Milk?

Milk is considered to be one of the most important sources of calcium which the body needs right from the birth of the baby. When the baby is born he needs milk in order to survive and grow since it is the only food option for him. As the baby grows up to become a toddler and so on, he needs milk for the proper development and growth of his bones and nails. Moving towards adolescence, milk is very important in providing the body with essential nutrients which can only be fulfilled through milk. As the person grows older, milk becomes a necessity in order to avoid the deficiency of calcium which might lead to weak bones and prone to fractures.

Milk is equally important for both men and women in their growing age and so on. While most of the people trust cow's milk over any other option, there are some people who are lactose intolerant so they tend to consume soy milk etc. However cow's milk is said to be the best for everybody since no other form and source of milk can beat the purity of cow's milk. There are a lot of alternatives to cow's milk in the market. Since cows are animals so people following Veganism find it unethical to consume its milk as it violates the basic thumb rule of vegan food. Some of the many advisable and available alternatives are soy milk, almond milk, rice milk, coconut milk etc. Let's have a detailed comparison of the nutrients present in different types of milk to make it more clear. 

A COMPARISON OF MILK AND MILK ALTERNATIVES 

PROS OF COW'S MILK

• Whole milk can provide essential proteins, extra calories from fats, as well as vitamins and minerals.
• Lactose-free versions are available for people who have a lactose intolerance.
• Cow’s milk, including grass-fed and low heat pasteurized options, is widely available in grocery stores and convenience stores.

CONS OF COW'S MILK

• Whole milk is high in calories and fat.
• Many people are intolerant to lactose, a sugar found in milk.
• Some people have ethical concerns about modern dairy farming practices.

If you drink cow's milk, there's really no reason to switch to a plant-based option. Cow's milk is a good dietary source of necessary vitamins and minerals. A serving of cow's milk contains calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and a host of micronutrients that you need in your diet. That said, there is no nutritional requirement that you drink milk or eat dairy products specifically. In the past, experts recommended eating dairy products to build bones and prevent fractures, says Malik. It turns out there's not very strong evidence that drinking a lot of milk or eating dairy products has a real benefit when it comes to reducing fracture risk. So, if you want to switch to a plant-based product, or if you need to do so because of a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, you can get the same nutrients by carefully choosing the right plant-based milk product instead. For added assurance, you can take a calcium supplement if needed, says Malik.

The quality of plant-based milks varies greatly when it comes to nutrients. Some contain virtually the same amount of vitamins and minerals as cow's milk; others fall far short. For example, many almond milks are much lower in protein than cow's milk. If you are going to switch to a plant-based milk, be certain to read the label and find a product that contains good amounts of protein, vitamin D, iron, and calcium. Ideally, aim for a milk that has at least 8 or 9 grams of protein per serving.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Cow's milk or dairy milk is naturally sweet, has the desired fat content and has been considered one of the purest forms of milk which incorporates all the possible nutrients the body needs from milk which many different forms of milk may fail to give. However it is true that people have their own reasons for switching to different forms of milk, so they must make the decision wisely. One must think carefully about all the aspects of vegan milk and dairy milk before making a decision on the form of milk he or she would consume because at the end health matters the most.