An increasing number of people are finding out that milky goodness doesn't require cows or cholesterol. Sales of milk substitutes grew at a healthy rate of 13 percent in 2010, according to the Wall Street Journal. Almond milk, based on anti-oxidant-rich almonds, started showing up in dairy cases in the late 1990s. Good in coffee, with cereal or in recipes calling for milk, Silk Pure Almond milk has numerous health benefits.
No Lactose
The use of almond milk is rising in households where one or more family members are lactose-intolerant. Lactose intolerance is a condition in which the intestines are deficient in an enzyme known as lactase. It can cause nausea, gas, bloating and other gastrointestinal symptoms. An estimated 30 to 50 million Americans have the condition, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center.
No Phytoestrogens
Silk Pure Almond is a phytoestrogen-free alternative to soy milk. Cornell University's Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research reports that soybeans are high in isoflavonoids, a particular type of phytoestrogen. Phytoestrogens are plant-based compounds with a chemical structure similar to the female hormone estrogen. Phytoestrogens mimic estrogen's effects in the body and may increase the risk of breast cancer if consumed in excess. Scientists have not established a direct correlation between soy milk and cancer, but almond milk is an option for those who want to avoid phytoestrogen.
A Low-Calorie Alternative
Almond milk stacks up well against its competitors in terms of calories. Eight ounces of Silk Pure Almond have only 60 calories, in comparison with the 130 calories in 8 ounces of 2 percent milk and the 100 calories in the same amount of Silk soy milk. Reducing calories is consistent with the goals of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Dietary Guidelines 2010, which notes that many Americans need to reduce their calories to avoid the health consequences of obesity.
Boost Your Calcium
Calcium is vital for bone health and the prevention of osteoporosis, a weakening of the bones that is common among postmenopausal women. While you may automatically think of dairy milk as the ideal calcium source, 8 ounces of 2-percent dairy milk provide only 29 percent of the recommended daily value for calcium. In contrast, Silk Pure Almond has 45 percent of the recommended daily value.
References
- Cornell University Sprecher Institute for Comparative Cancer Research: Phytoestrogens and Breast Cancer
- SilkPureAlmond.com: Silk Pure Almond™ Original Almondmilk Nutrition Facts
- SilkSoymilk.com: Plain (Natural), Quart, Half-Gallon, Twin Pack Nutrition Facts
- Health.gov: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2010
- USDA National Nutrient Database
- Wall Street Journal: Move Over, Cow Almond Milk Sparks Fight in Dairy Case; the Cookie Dunk-Off
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