Almond milk is identified by its creamy appearance and its nutty flavor. For those people who don’t prefer to drink branded milk available at grocery stores, drinking almond milk is a good option for its many benefits. Besides, it can be made at home very easily.
Almond Milk Vs. Cow’s Milk
Almond milk doesn’t contain as many calories as cow’s milk nor does it have as much fat. A cup of vanilla flavored and sweetened almond milk has 2.5 gm of fat and 90 calories, when compared to 5 gm of fat and 120 calories of the same quantity. However, it has a higher carbohydrate content than cow’s milk. Besides, since almond milk isn’t an animal product, it doesn’t contain cholesterol nor saturated fat. So, it is good for those trying to have a heart-healthy diet.
Vitamin Content
Usually, almond milk is fortified with a range of vitamins, such as A, B12 and D. A cup of almond milk contains 500 IU of Vitamin A, 3 mcg of Vitamin B12 and 100 IU of Vitamin D. While Vitamins A and D contribute largely to developing a healthy immune system, B-12 is responsible for blood cell formation, DNA synthesis and other important functions.
Minerals
Almond milk also contains an impressive amount of potassium, phosphorus and zinc. It also contains a lot of calcium, important for bone development and health.
Benefits of Almond Milk
1. It controls blood sugar
Almond milk that is free of additives does not contain a lot of carbohydrates, so it doesn’t increase blood sugar levels, thereby controlling the chance of developing diabetes. Due to its low glycemic index, the body uses the carbohydrate content of almond milk as energy, thereby not allowing any sugars as fat.
2. It is heart-healthy
Almond milk completely lacks cholesterol, which enables one to have a healthy and strong heart. According to studies, almond milk helps lower the chances of heart disease. Potassium contained in almond milk behaves like a vasodilator that lowers a strain on the heart. Almond milk also has a low content of sodium while having a high content of healthy fats like Omega fatty acids which help blood pressure and heart disease from increasing.
3. It promotes weight loss
For anyone on a low-carb diet, almond milk is ideal as it contains just two grams of carbohydrate per cup as compared to 12 grams in skimmed milk. Since it is low in carbohydrate, almond milk improves the triglyceride levels or good cholesterols in the body.
4. It prevents cancer
By drinking almond milk, the growth of LNCaP prostate cancer cells can be suppressed by 30% which are encouraged by drinking cows’ milk. However, it does not have any adverse impact on breast cancer cells, which soy milk stimulates.
5. It gives you strong bones
Though almond milk can’t compare with cow’s milk when it comes to calcium content, yet it contains 30% of the daily recommended amount and 25% of the recommended daily amount of Vitamin D. This is beneficial in lowering your risk for osteoporosis, arthritis and an improved immune function. All these ingredients work to develop and maintain healthy bones and teeth.
6. It improves eyesight
Almond milk’s abundance of vitamins, such as Vitamin A, makes it ideal for promoting good vision and its normal functioning. Overexposure to computers and smart phones can strain the eyes, something that can be treated naturally by increasing one’s intake of Vitamin A, which is largely available in almond milk.
7. It promotes kidney health
Excessive quantities of potassium and calcium can harm the kidneys, but if one drinks almond milk. The good news is that almond milk contains a low quantity of these minerals. It is therefore advisable that people with chronic problems and allergic reactions get the benefit of almond milk.
[ Read: How To Detoxify Your Kidneys Naturally ]
8. It promotes healthy skin
Almond milk contains an abundance of Vitamin E, which helps promote skin health. It not only contains vitamins, but also many antioxidants which not only help mend damaged and blemished skin but also regulates Vitamin A. Both Vitamin A and E are present in almond milk, which is made at home and that which is made commercially. Almond milk is also used as a skin cleanser, particularly when added to rosewater.
9. It helps develop strong muscles
By eating the right kind of food, one can build strong muscles very natural, especially if the foods contain muscle-building vitamins and minerals. For example, it is well-known that almond milk contains riboflavin, a form of Vitamin B that works well with essential nutrients such as iron that contribute to normalize muscle growth and strength. It also helps produce red blood cells and release the required energy for the body. Riboflavin is also a protein source, present in skin, muscles and other organs which play an instrumental role in repairing and maintaining the body.
10. It slows down the signs of aging
Being rich in antioxidants like Vitamin E, almond milk can prevent the spread of cancer and retard the signs of aging. Flavonoids contained in almond milk also helps lower the presence of free radicals in the body that damage the skin cells and protect you from several degenerative diseases, osteoporosis and type 2 diabetes.
11. It helps in overall health
Almond milk is rich in fiber, which promotes good health in many ways. High-fiber diets help to normalize bowel movements, maintain good digestive health, reduce bad cholesterol, normalize blood sugar levels and therefore promote weight loss. By increasing the fiber content to one’s diet in the form of almond milk, one’s overall health can increase.
12. It is lactose-free
Lactose, present in cow’s milk, is known to cause bloating, abdominal discomfort and diarrhea. Drinking almond milk is safe as it does not cause these conditions. Almond milk is safe to drink because it is extracted from almonds which is a nut. Since these nuts are sourced from plants and are lactose-free, the milk of these nuts can easily be drunk instead of cow’s milk.
With so many benefits, isn’t it worth switching over immediately to almond milk? Try it today.