In the constantly changing world of nutrition, plant-based milks have really taken center stage, often touted as better options than regular dairy. However, if you dig a little deeper into this booming trend, you’ll find that things aren’t always as perfect as they seem.
Indeed, the rise of almond milk has marked a significant turning point in our contemporary health crisis. We are now witnessing children under the age of 10 developing kidney stones, with almond milk being identified as a contributing factor. A 2015 publication in the Journal of Pediatrics, entitled “Hyperoxaluria and Genitourinary Disorders in Children Consuming Almond Milk Products,” discusses relevant findings.
“Our investigation of the oxalate content of several popular plant-based milk substitutes indicates that almond milk products are a particularly rich source of dietary oxalate. All genitourinary and urinary metabolic disturbances resolved after discontinuation of almond milk ingestion. Therefore, pediatricians should be aware of this potential link.”
Journal of Pediatrics
Top Reasons to Avoid Almonds and Almond Milk
Almonds are Loaded with Phytic Acid and Oxalates
Phytic acid, also known as phytate, is present in a variety of consumable seeds, including nuts, whole grains, and legumes. Its main functions are to safeguard the seed from harm and to serve as a reservoir for significant quantities of phosphorus. Due to its chemical composition, phytic acid is classified as an anti-nutrient.
It readily binds to specific minerals, and the regular intake of anti-nutrients such as phytate may lead to deficiencies in essential minerals. Additionally, dietary phytates can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances and hinder the absorption of nutrients within the digestive system, thereby decreasing the bioavailability of minerals in food.
Oxalates in Almonds
Oxalates have the ability to bind with minerals such as calcium within the kidneys, leading to the formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones, which are the most prevalent type of kidney stone. Additionally, oxalates can damage the linings of the digestive system, potentially resulting in conditions such as leaky gut or other gastrointestinal disorders. Among various nuts, almonds contain the highest concentration of oxalates per ounce when compared to cashews, macadamia nuts, and walnuts.
Just a quarter cup of almonds, which is only about 22 nuts, packs more than 120 mg of oxalates. To give you an idea, a low oxalate diet suggests you stick to around 40-50 mg daily. So, that single handful of almonds is already three times what you should be having in a day.
Most Brands Contain Carrageenan
Carrageenan is classified into two categories: undergraded and degraded. The distinction is straightforward. The undergraded form of Carrageenan is considered safe for consumption in food products by the FDA, whereas the degraded form is not approved for such use. As noted by the Cornucopia Institute:
“Degraded carrageenan is such a potent inflammatory agent that scientists routinely use it to induce inflammation and other disease in laboratory animals, to test anti-inflammation drugs and other pharmaceuticals.”
Only the undegraded version is used in food. The Cornucopia Institute reports that the chemical composition of Carrageenan inherently activates an immune response within the body, resulting in inflammation. This inflammation is known to be a precursor to more than 100 human diseases. Research conducted in the late 1960s even established a connection between the food-grade variant and gastrointestinal diseases in laboratory animals, such as ulcerative colitis and intestinal lesions.
Not Good For the Environment
Almond milk requires 17 times more water than cow’s milk, as reported by UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). Dairy milk consists entirely of milk with no added water; the only water involved in its production comes from what the cow consumes and the water used for cleaning the equipment. In comparison, the water needed for the complete production of a bottle or jug of almond milk is significantly higher.
It is important to note that cows contribute significantly to the water cycle through their urination, sweating, and respiration, which release substantial amounts of water. In contrast, fruits and vegetables do not play a major role in returning water to the cycle.
Almonds Pasteurization
It’s really important for people to know how nuts can be pasteurized. Most of the almonds produced in California go through a pasteurization process that is approved, like moist heat exposure (MH) or fumigation with propylene oxide (PO), to lower the risk of Salmonella bacteria contamination. The reason why using PPO is not allowed in organic products is that it’s an extremely toxic chemical. It’s found in things like foams for furniture and car seats, insulation for buildings, waterproof clothing, and de-icers for airplanes.
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