Nut milk

Milk of animal origin leads in sales and popularity. White sweet liquid from nuts loses in several ways: high cost, minimal awareness of the consumer about the product, new unfamiliar taste. What you need to know about nut milk, why should it replace cow’s milk and is the product worth the money declared by the manufacturer?

What’s wrong with animal milk

From an early age, we were taught the value of milk and its derivatives. Drinking a full glass of white liquid before cheesecakes for lunch is a common practice that often ended in acne, bowel problems or stomach pain. The average consumer did not consider dairy products a source of problems, because they were ultimatum useful. Why is it not?

The scientific community has long established the dangers of animal milk. The maximum clarity and popularity of the theory was achieved by the American nutritionist Walter Willet. He is a professor of epidemiology and nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health. Willett has been researching the food product for decades and, having collected all the necessary information, shared it with the public.

Willett proved that cow’s milk does not strengthen the skeleton. On the contrary, the product leaches calcium from the bones, making them brittle and weak.

For healthy bones and high-quality skeletal functionality, it is more important to consume vitamin D than calcium.

The abundance of dairy products in the diet leads to the development of cancer. In men who consume milk and its derivatives daily, the risk of developing prostate cancer increases by 30-50%.

Also, nutritionists drew attention to lactose intolerance. Upon reaching the age of 3, our body stops producing lactase. Lactase is the only enzyme that is able to efficiently break down lactose (milk sugar).

Over 75% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant.

Manifestations of lactose intolerance: abdominal pain, allergic rash, severe acne, itching, stool disorders, etc. In his work, Dr. Willett calls milk not a toxic product, but simply useless. A person can live a healthy life without milk, without suffering from a deficiency of vitamins and minerals. Moreover, milk of animal origin is very high in calories and contains a huge percentage of saturated fats, which leads to diseases of the heart and blood vessels.

The harm of cow’s milk was also revealed by the China-Cornell-Oxford study or the China project. Scientists from Asia and Europe studied not only milk, but also the human need for animal protein. The results of the study confirmed Willett’s ideas:

• dairy products thin the bones. Animal protein provokes the accumulation of acid, and our body tries to neutralize it. To eliminate the acid, calcium has to be released from the bones, making them brittle and weak;
• eating more than 1 liter of dairy products a day increases the risk of cancer by 30%. This is due to the toxic compound dioxin, which makes a person more susceptible to disease;
• 1 glass of milk is fraught with flatulence, sharp pains in the abdomen, diarrhea, vomiting and chronic constipation – all these are symptoms of lactose intolerance;
• milk exacerbates acne by stimulating insulin production. Dairy products increase the effect of steroids on the skin and lead to imperfections;
• the modern market is teeming with low-quality milk. Pathogenic bacteria, hormones, antibiotics and chemicals were found in the control samples. They adversely affect the hormonal background and gradually destroy a person from the inside.

What you need to know about nut milk

Nut milk is made from pureed nuts. If animal dairy products do more harm than good, things are different with plant-based ingredients. Nut liquid is rich in magnesium, zinc, calcium, iron, phosphorus, vitamins and vegetable protein, which is easily absorbed by our body.

There are definitely no antibiotics and various growth hormones in nut dairy products, because growing almonds or sesame seeds is much cheaper, easier and more ergonomic than a calf.

Finding plant-based milk with the ideal composition is quite difficult. Manufacturers add sugar and preservatives to make sure that the product is liked by the consumer and can be stored on the shelf for a long time. How to solve this problem? Make your own milk. All you need for home production is a food processor, water, cheesecloth and a little patience.

How useful is the product? Nut milk completely takes over the properties of the main ingredient – almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios. Water, in which nuts are soaked, activates them and additionally saturates them with nutrients. The benefits of milk depend on its composition. An almond, rice and oat product will have a completely different spectrum of action and a set of vitamins / minerals. Dates, seeds, superfoods, and sweet fruits are often added to milk. They affect the taste of the liquid and replace the sweetener, but the main task is to enrich the composition, nutritional value and calorie content.

Nut milk can help reduce sugar cravings and is great for a healthy afternoon snack or breakfast addition. Vary the composition, experiment with flavors and launch a real vitamin bomb into your body. The main thing is to monitor the quality of products and follow the measure.

Alternative applications for the product

Nut milk is used not only in the gastronomic industry. The ingredient is popular in the field of cosmetology and home body care. Nutrient, moisturizing baths, professional/folk serums, masks and tonics are made from nut milk.

Milk extracts are most often added as a moisturizing component. It softens the skin, evens out the tone, eliminates redness and fills the epithelium with moisture. It is important that the composition of the cosmetic contains water-retaining components that help the skin retain moisture, protect against dryness and irritation. Tonics with lactic acids perform 2 functions at once: gentle acid cleansing and additional vitamin nourishment for the skin.

Skin care for the body and face should be selected by a specialist. Before using dairy products, you should consult a dermatologist to avoid unwanted skin reactions. Incorrectly selected care is fraught with acne, rashes, redness, peeling and itching.

How much is nut milk

The price of a vegetable product is 2-3 times higher than the cost of ordinary cow’s milk. This is due to low demand and “exotic” production. In the post-Soviet space, cow’s milk is in incredible demand. There are more and more industrial enterprises that are engaged in a full production cycle, so the cost of the final product is lower.

If the demand for plant-based dairy products increases, more competitive producers appear, and the price will change. A real way to save money is to prepare nut milk in your own kitchen. So you save the budget, you can choose the ingredients yourself and fully control the entire cycle of creating a drink.

What nuts to prepare milk from and how they are useful

Walnut

Useful properties of a walnut are given out by its appearance – the product is similar to the hemispheres of the human brain. Even the ancient Greeks believed that the walnut was able to stimulate brain activity and improve the mental abilities of a person. In ancient times, the product could only be used by privileged persons, but simple hard workers had no access to brain stimulation. But was there a rational grain in the actions of the Greeks?

Many associate the origin of the nut with its name, but this is a misconception. The homeland of the walnut is not Greece, but Asia Minor (the territory of modern Iran).

The Greeks were right about the high nutritional value and benefits of the product. It contains retinol (A), tocopherol (E), thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2) and linoleic acid. Walnuts are rich in vegetable protein, which fully satisfies the need for the nutrient. Vegetable protein is much more efficient and easier to digest by the body, without causing discomfort and excessive stress on the organs.

Doctors recommend eating nuts for anemia. They contain an abundance of magnesium (Mg) and potassium (K), which will help eliminate the problem and harmonize the work of the hematopoietic system. Iron also improves blood characteristics. The nutrient has a beneficial effect on the composition of the blood, stabilizes the transport function and has a wound healing effect. Walnuts also help restore potency.

The daily dose of the product is 4-5 pieces.

It is necessary to refuse nuts and milk based on them when:

• increased blood coagulability;
• chronic colitis;
• stages of exacerbation of psoriasis / eczema / allergies.

Funduk

The Romans called the product not hazelnuts at all, but “κóρυς”, which means “helmet” in translation. Walnut really looks like a rounded military helmet, so the name is absolutely justified.

A miniature hazelnut seed contains 20% highly digestible vegetable protein and 60% healthy organic oils that will make the brain work better, hair grow faster, and skin become more radiant and hydrated. The composition of the nut is rich in B vitamins and tocopherol. Minerals include zinc, sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium and iron.

In the period of Antiquity, doctors advised eating hazelnuts for diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs. Any cold or infectious disease receded before the healing properties of the nut. Hazelnut maintains and improves the elasticity of the vascular walls and protects the body from cancer.

The daily dose of nuts should not exceed 50 grams. Side effects from overeating hazelnuts are expressed in headache, heaviness in the abdomen and malfunction of the intestines.

People with individual intolerance and severe forms of diabetes will have to refuse hazelnut milk.

Hazelnut milk has a specific structure, so it can be replaced with cream. The liquid contains only 3,5 grams of fat. The taste of milk is not sweet, with a pronounced nutty flavor.

Fistashka

Pistachio is the absolute leader in the content of vitamin B6 and may well compete with beef liver. Walnut kernels are rich in phenolic compounds, which slow down the aging process and keep the entire human body young.

Brown-green cores replenish the balance of copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg). The product also contains zeaxanthin and lutein – these pigments improve vision and strengthen bones. A few pistachio kernels provide the same amount of fiber as a serving of whole grain oatmeal. Nuts also help to remove cholesterol from the body and increase sexual desire.

The daily norm of pistachios should not exceed 30 kernels.

Almonds

Almonds are able to relieve hangover syndromes, insomnia, improve the functioning of the brain and the cardiovascular system. Regular consumption of almond milk harmonizes the internal microflora, regulates the acidity of the stomach, makes the skin clean and radiant.

1 glass of almond milk is able to replenish 30% of the daily requirement of calcium (Ca).

Nuts contain B vitamins, tocopherol (E), biotin (H), riboflavin (B2) and folic acid (B9). Trace elements are magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P).

Contraindications to the use of almonds:

• increased excitability;
• hyperactivity;
• tachycardia;
• individual intolerance to nuts.

The daily norm of almonds is 8-10 nuts. Only sweet almonds can be eaten. Bitter contains toxic components that can lead to serious poisoning and death.

Cashew

Brazil is considered the birthplace of cashews. The nut came to Europe in the XNUMXth century, having received genuine love and popularity. Cashews are always sold in their pure form without the kernel or husk. Why? A toxic poisonous liquid is concentrated between the shell and the cashew nut itself. It can cause severe burns of mucous and soft tissues. Cashews are processed manually by specially trained cleaners. From time to time, despite experience and safety measures, workers get injured on the job.

Useful properties of the product:

• strengthens the protective function of the immune system;
• contains copper (Cu), iodine (I), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn) and phosphorus (P);
• improves skin condition and partially eliminates acne, psoriasis, and other skin pathologies;
• accelerates metabolic processes;
• strengthens the nervous system, helps fight psycho-emotional disorders;
• protects the human body from cancerous tumors.

Cashew milk has a specific creamy flavor and characteristic bitterness. It can be used both as a drink on its own and as a salad dressing or sauce without the extra fat/calorie content.

How to make nut milk

The principle of preparation is identical for any variety of nut milk drink.

The first step is to soak the nuts for a few hours. Soaking time depends on the variety. As soon as the nut has become soft and supple, proceed to the following manipulations. Grind the finished nuts in a blender. At this stage, you can show your imagination and add whatever your heart desires to the drink – dates, berries, green buckwheat, flax seeds or sesame seeds. Whisk all ingredients and mix thoroughly. Strain the finished mass through cheesecloth.

Pour the milk into a container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days. It is best to store the drink in glass containers to avoid interaction with toxic substances, foreign odors and the external environment.

Such a drink is much cheaper than a store-bought one, and you can change the composition and benefits at your own discretion. Approach nutrition scientifically and be healthy.