Dear Dairy,
We regret to inform you your services are no longer needed. We noticed that your sales plummeted $1.1 billion from 2017-2018 and there has been a 20% increase in the amount of Americans who consume plant milk. These numbers indicate that more people are realizing the harmful effects of dairy products and switching to healthier, plant-based alternatives.
Best,
Plant Milk Consumers
According to present day statistics, plant milk comprises 15% of the total milk market, and the plant-based dairy alternative market is only continuing to grow. Founded by Plant Based News in 2017, World Plant Milk Day (August 22nd) is a campaign that has support from millions people around the world. The goal is to encourage the switch to plant-based dairy alternatives, and to change the narrative of dairy products “needing” to be in diets to maintain healthy bodies.
Some people are hesitant to make the plant milk switch because they are more expensive that regular milk. Want to know why that is? Roughly 75% of dairy sales are subsidized, making them affordable for everyone. If plant milk was subsidized, they would cost less and people might be more willing to try them.
Health Effects Of Cow’s Milk
First off, you don’t need to consume dairy products to be a healthy person. This propaganda from the dairy industry has caused dairy products to be featured in the food pyramid. When you consider that 65% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant, why are dairy products recommended for a healthy body? Research has shown that regular consumption of cow’s milk may be linked to high cholesterol levels, primarily because it is filled with saturated fats, which you typically want to avoid to maintain heart health. It’s not looking like dairy is good for your arteries, people! Additionally, cow’s milk is rich in estrogen and may increase a woman’s risk of breast cancer. Petri dish studies show that estrogen receptive breast cancer cells grow 30% faster when cow’s milk comes in contact with them, and 30% slower when they encounter almond milk.
The Environmental Impact: A Comparison Between Milks
Dairy milk requires much more land and water than rice, soy, oat, or almond milk varieties need. The emissions from a dairy farm, including the processing plants, are more harmful to the environment than what it takes to produce plant milks. When it comes to agricultural water usage, especially in California, many people blame the California drought on almonds. It is true that almonds require a lot of water to grow, but the reality is that California produces 80% of the world’s almonds, using only 10% of the state’s agricultural water. Meat and dairy typically use 50% of California’s agricultural water to produce a very small amount of the world’s dairy and meat.
Not All Plant Milks Are Created Equal
Not all plant milks are beneficial for the body, for the simple reason that added sugars, flavors, and be harmful to the body. It is always best to do your homework about which plant milk brands make the highest quality products, all of which should be free of sugars, gums, or flavor enhancers. Unsweetened organic varieties are the best ones to choose, but make sure that “natural flavors” are not added. Always read the labels, no matter what you are buying!
World Plant Milk Day intends to promote overall wellness and a cleaner environment. The fact is that plant milks can provide more vitamins and minerals than dairy milk, and the body has an easier time absorbing and digesting these nutrients. Join the plant milk revolution, if you haven’t already done so. If you currently drink plant milk, tell us why you prefer it or what your favorite varieties are in the comments below.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
