Almond milk is a substitute for ordinary cow's milk, it is lower fat and cholesterol content, and those who are unable to drink cow's milk, due to allergies, can often drink it. It is made simply by mixing ground almonds with water. Since the U.S Food and Drug Administration requires that all almonds sold in the U.S. be treated to make sure they are safe for human consumption, almond milk does not require further processing, unlike dairy milk, which is generally pasteurized. Almond milk contains significant levels of several important minerals.
Calcium
One 8 oz. serving of typical raw almond milk contains about 20 percent of your recommended daily intake of calcium. You should be aware that this is because most brands of raw almond milk fortify the product with calcium to make it more nutritionally similar to dairy milk; homemade almond milk will not have this calcium content. Calcium is important for building healthy teeth and bones, as well as for proper function of your organs, nervous system and muscular system. Adults need about 1,000 mg of calcium per day until age 50, while those older than 50 need about 1,200 mg per day.
Phosphorus
Almond milk is also a good source of phosphorus, with about 4 percent of your recommended daily intake in the one 8 oz. serving. Phosphorus and calcium work together to keep your teeth and bones strong. Phosphorus also contributes to proper kidney function, to creating DNA and to building and maintaining your body's cells. Most adults need about 700 mg of phosphorus per day.
Magnesium
There is also about 4 percent of your daily required intake of magnesium in a serving of almond milk. Magnesium is used for many different purposes by your body, such as helping produce energy from the food you eat, controlling the amounts of other minerals and vitamins in your system, and helping with bone production. Men need 270 to 400 mg of magnesium per day, while women need 280 to 300 mg per day.
Iron
A serving of almond milk contains about 2 percent of your recommended daily requirement of iron. The primary function of iron is its use in the creation of red blood cells, which are used to carry oxygen throughout your body. Insufficient iron intake can be the cause of conditions such as anemia. Adult men need about 8 mg of iron per day. Adult women need about 18 mg of iron per day, until menopause, after which they need about 8 mg per day.
References
- LIVESTRONG.com MyPlate: Almond Breeze Almond Milk Original
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Calcium; March 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Phosphorus; June 2009
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Magnesium; June 2009
- Almond Board of California: The Food Safety Program & Almond Pasteurization
- Almond Breeze: Refrigerated Almond Breeze
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