Physicians Committee Doctors Offer 5 Nutritious Alternatives to Cow’s Milk for Consumers Avoiding Dairy Over Concern About Bird Flu
2024年4月25日 - 9:05PM
ビジネスワイヤ(英語)
Researchers Say Bird Flu May Be Catalyst For
Next Pandemic
On April 23, the FDA found remnants of bird flu virus in
pasteurized milk. The Physicians Committee for Responsible
Medicine, a public health nonprofit of more than 17,000 doctors, is
offering 5 Nutritious Alternatives to Cow’s Milk for
consumers concerned about bird flu in cow’s milk. A virulent strain
of bird flu was identified for the first time in U.S. cow’s milk
and among dairy cattle in Texas on March 25, and a dairy worker in
Texas has contracted the virus.
People are concerned about drinking cow’s milk and are seeking
alternatives. “To avoid health concerns associated with drinking
cow’s milk, there are many great dairy alternatives to try,” says
Nutrition Education Specialist Dr. Anna Herby of Physicians
Committee. “Soy milk is the highest in protein and has the added
benefits of isoflavones, which can reduce breast cancer risk.
Almond milk goes great on cereal, and oat milk is tasty in a
latte.”
Nutritious plant-based milks exist for those who can’t safely
consume or don’t want to consume cow’s milk. Dr. Herby offers
these:
5 Nutritious Alternatives to Cow’s
Milk, in no particular order.
1. Almond Milk:
- Low in calories.
- High in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant.
- Typically fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
- Suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
2. Soy Milk:
- Isoflavones have been shown to be beneficial for breast cancer
risk reduction.
- Comparable protein content to cow's milk.
- Fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
- May help lower cholesterol levels.
- Suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
3. Oat Milk:
- Creamy texture and mild flavor.
- Contains beta-glucans, which may help lower cholesterol
levels.
- Often fortified with calcium and vitamin D.
- Suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
4. Coconut Milk:
- Creamy texture and tropical flavor.
- High in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which may have
various health benefits.
- Typically free from allergens like dairy and nuts.
- Suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
5. Rice Milk:
- Naturally sweet flavor.
- Hypoallergenic and suitable for those with multiple food
allergies.
- Low in fat and cholesterol-free.
- Suitable for those with lactose intolerance.
Researchers believe that the bird flu could be the root cause of
our next pandemic. According to the United Nations, intensive
animal agriculture, such as factory farming, is responsible for
more than 50% of zoonotic diseases. Crowded conditions, widespread
antibiotic use, genetic modification of animals, and unhygienic
conditions increase the risk of viruses that infect animals,
mutate, and gain the ability to infect humans. Many consumers will
choose to avoid animal products for this reason.
Conversely, a plant-based diet was found to be associated with a
73% lower odds of moderate-to-severe COVID during the pandemic. The
British Medical Journal recently published research showing that a
plant-based diet reduced hospitalizations and symptoms of COVID
among patients on a plant-based diet. Interest in adopting
alternatives to dairy and moving toward a plant-based lifestyle are
already strong, and the threat of bird flu surrounding the dairy
industry is likely to increase that interest.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240424642946/en/
Leslie Raabe, 443-534-5803, lraabe@pcrm.org