Oat, soy, almond – look in anyone’s fridge or head to a cafe and you might find a slew of plant-based drinks.
We hear multiple claims about health and the environment, but are these drinks actually – as is so often claimed – better than cow’s milk, better for the climate or better for those of us with allergies?
Some of these claims are true, some are not. Our fact-checkers assess seven popular statements.
1. Plant-based drinks are healthier than cow’s milk
False.
Milk and dairy products naturally contain easily digestible protein, which is essential for building and maintaining muscle. The German Nutrition Society says they also provide calcium for bone health, as well as vitamins and iodine.
You only find meaningful amounts of such micronutrients in fortified plant-based alternatives. If you are cutting out dairy products, check the ingredients in plant-based drinks or find another way to add in the nutrients you are missing.
2. Organic plant-based drinks replace the nutrients in cow’s milk
False.