Health Benefits of Almond Milk

Almond milk, like soy milk, is an alternative to cow's milk. This fortified beverage, produced from almonds, has a surprisingly frothy taste. Lower in calories and fat than regular cow's milk, it's high in vitamins, such as vitamin E. Like cow's milk and fortified soy milk, almond milk boasts a remarkable dose of bone-building calcium.

Great-tasting, nutrition-dense almond milk is derived from almonds. Almonds are some of the healthiest nuts in the world. They have been long touted for his or her nutritional excellence. The nutritional content of almonds could be extracted through either a grinding or juicing process. The end-product is almond milk is a healthy alternative to cow’s milk. 

Alternative Nutrition

The best documented risk of almond milk is replacing it for breast milk or infant formula. Since it contains only extract of almond in water, almond "milk" doesn't provide adequate nutrition for infants.

Symptoms

In 1991, a baby that had been fed primarily almond milk in the age of 2 1/2 months was identified as having low bone density, nutritional rickets, low tone of muscle, and a visible goiter. All were traced to nutritional deficiency.

Goitrogens

Many foods generally regarded as healthy are also goitrogenic. This includes cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cauliflower, spinach, soya peanuts and almonds.


Iodine Deficiency

Severe iodine deficiency causes goiters, like the one observed in the infant described above. Almonds are known goitrogens, meaning they contain chemicals that inhibit thyroid function by disturbing iodine intake.


Preparation

While individuals with hypothyroidism are advised to avoid goitrogens. The goitrogenic effects are negated by cooking or light steaming. Most almond milk is produced raw, and could be heated to prevent any potential goitrogenic effects.