Animal or vegetable milk… which is more beneficial?

Is it worth following the trend and buying plant-based milk, or can you buy regular cow’s milk from your nearest dairy effortlessly? T.Ru talks about the main features of both products.
Total amount of nutrients

Cow’s milk is an important source of proteins – casein, albumin and globulin, which supply the body with essential amino acids. In addition, regular milk contains fast carbohydrates (sugars), macro and micronutrients, saturated fatty acids and B vitamins, including vitamin B12 found only in animal products.

Plant milk: In this case, the benefits depend on the raw materials from which the milk is made.

Soy milk contains soy protein, which is also a building material for cells, but differs from cow’s milk in the content of amino acids, lecithin, and vitamin E. However, it does not contain much calcium and saturated fat. Coconut milk is rich in magnesium, iron, selenium, vitamin C and potassium, as well as protein, healthy saturated vegetable fats, and lauric, oleic, myristic and palmitic acids. Almond milk is high in calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous as well as vitamins E and D. Oat milk contains almost no protein, but it does contain carbohydrates and fiber.

The result: Both types of milk contain different beneficial substances, but cow’s milk contains vitamin B12, which is vital for preventing anemia.
Calorie content

While animal milk appears to be a lot more nutritious than plant milk, it’s not quite that simple. More precisely, it is not at all easy, because in most cases the calorie content is almost the same.

The calorie content of cow’s milk is 65 kcal per 100 ml. In lactose-free milk – 52 calories per 100 ml.

The calorie content of most plant milks is approximately equal to cow’s milk (or slightly less), but there is an unpleasant nuance: in 90% of cases, manufacturers add sugar to the composition of plant milks to add flavor.

Almonds: 51 calories per 100 ml.

Soy: 54 calories per 100 ml.

Coconut: 138 calories per 100 ml.

Oatmeal: 42 calories per 100 ml.

The result: Be careful when eating a cappuccino or latte with coconut milk: two cups of calories can cover your entire daily caloric reserve.
The ability to cause allergic reactions

Cow’s milk is a source of lactose, and lactose is the leader in the list of allergens. This is especially true for residents of regions where animal husbandry was not initially developed (for example, in Thailand, up to 98% of the population is lactose intolerant).

Vegetable milk: it all depends on the type of product. For example, oatmeal or coconut practically does not cause allergies, and almonds rarely, but for those who prefer soy milk, we have bad news. Soy milk contains more than 20 types of protein allergens that cause skin, respiratory or digestive reactions. Children are particularly affected.
Compatibility with other products

Cow’s milk: Here the situation is twofold. On the one hand, it goes well with cereals and sweets. On the other hand, despite the huge popularity of coffee and tea with milk, it almost “kills” all the benefits of these drinks. Milk protein reacts with polyphenols (substances that have antioxidant properties) and neutralizes them.

Plant-based milk proteins don’t do this. Furthermore, coconut, almond, and soy milk contain antioxidants and get along better with other products.