Human infant intestines in the ancestral environment are natively colonized by bifidobacterium infantis, which completely metabolizes oligosaccarides present in human breast milk and outputs highly acidic byproducts. This acid kills most other gut bacteria, allowing B. infantis to consist of 50% of the intenstinal microbiome in healthy infants [1]. Oligosaccarides cannot be metabolized by babies without gut bacteria, but human mothers produce more of them than most other mammals we know of, and the specific oligosaccarides present depend on maternal generics [4]. NICU infants untreated with B. infantis are 5x more likely to fall into sepis as a result of necrotizing enterocolitis[2,3], probably due to increased intestinal permeability to pathogens.
But B. infantis is coevolved for the digestion of human oligosaccarides, and those are specifically genetically coded for in human milk [4]. As a result, "vegan baby formula" or even baby formula without the correct oligosacarides could be a disaster for baby intestinal health, and even cow's milk has a different oligosaccaride profile, and we don't know how adaptable the gut microbes are.
even though there have been many a breakthrough in nut milking technology in recent history, like the ability to tell male almonds from female, and the dual nut milker, which together doubled both output and quality, there are still no vegan drinks that are equivilent to milk
It appears milk took the crown of villain food that once belonged to eggs, and butter. Curious about what foodstuff will take this crown next once people get tired of maligning milk.
.. note there's some UK specific aspects of the study:
> Plant-based drinks in the UK that are labelled as ‘organic’ are not allowed to be fortified with any nutrients.
> Most plant-based drinks would be classified as ‘ultra-processed’ according to the NOVA classification.
The findings also conclude:
> Replacing cows’ milk with almond, oat or soya drinks would result in potential benefits and risks from both a nutritional and a toxicological perspective.
I have massive problems with the NOVA classification.
For example, anything traditional gets a pass. Cheese? Traditional, so it's not highly processed, even if made in a factory. Oat milk? New, so it's classified as highly processed , even when there's less actual processing happening (talking about mass produced but real cheese here, not the American stuff).
I do get the idea behind NOVA, it's designed to be simple, to statistically improve the diets of people in Europe, and to accept that they won't stop people eating traditional foods so they should ignore them. Overall, trying to have less NOVA food items in your diet is a good start to healthy eating.
However, there's no nuance. It's (intentionally) simplistic. It falls apart when you focus on individual items like this, and it will get used this way.
Many things classified as highly processed, considered individually, could be fairly healthy. Many things not classified as highly processed, considered individually, could be unhealthy.
Statistically, applied to all foods, it should help steer people towards a healthier diet. But when talking about an individual food, you should have a stronger case than "it's NOVA classified as highly processed" before dismissing it.
Human infant intestines in the ancestral environment are natively colonized by bifidobacterium infantis, which completely metabolizes oligosaccarides present in human breast milk and outputs highly acidic byproducts. This acid kills most other gut bacteria, allowing B. infantis to consist of 50% of the intenstinal microbiome in healthy infants [1]. Oligosaccarides cannot be metabolized by babies without gut bacteria, but human mothers produce more of them than most other mammals we know of, and the specific oligosaccarides present depend on maternal generics [4]. NICU infants untreated with B. infantis are 5x more likely to fall into sepis as a result of necrotizing enterocolitis[2,3], probably due to increased intestinal permeability to pathogens.
But B. infantis is coevolved for the digestion of human oligosaccarides, and those are specifically genetically coded for in human milk [4]. As a result, "vegan baby formula" or even baby formula without the correct oligosacarides could be a disaster for baby intestinal health, and even cow's milk has a different oligosaccaride profile, and we don't know how adaptable the gut microbes are.
[1] doi.org/10.1038/s41390-020-01350-0 [2] doi.org/10.1542/peds.2004-1463 [3] doi.org/10.1038/s41372-019-0443-5 [4] doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45209-y
Physician Michael Klaper puts it succinctly[1]:
“We have no more need for the milk of a cow than we do the milk of a dog or a giraffe.”
[1] https://www.doctorklaper.com/dairy-free
The same Physician Michael Klaper who thinks that switching to a plant-based diet cures Crohn's disease?
Well, maybe he's right.
https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/11/6/1385
> Soya, oat and almond drinks are only deemed acceptable alternatives if they’re fortified, especially for young children
Adult humans don’t require dairy, most vegan soy and pea milk for children is fortified. Ripple Kids, for example (pea based and fortified).
even though there have been many a breakthrough in nut milking technology in recent history, like the ability to tell male almonds from female, and the dual nut milker, which together doubled both output and quality, there are still no vegan drinks that are equivilent to milk
It appears milk took the crown of villain food that once belonged to eggs, and butter. Curious about what foodstuff will take this crown next once people get tired of maligning milk.
https://archive.is/Z1jOB
Paper: [SACN and COT assessment of the health benefits and risks of consuming plant-based drinks: summary](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/plant-based-drink...)
.. note there's some UK specific aspects of the study:
> Plant-based drinks in the UK that are labelled as ‘organic’ are not allowed to be fortified with any nutrients.
> Most plant-based drinks would be classified as ‘ultra-processed’ according to the NOVA classification.
The findings also conclude:
> Replacing cows’ milk with almond, oat or soya drinks would result in potential benefits and risks from both a nutritional and a toxicological perspective.
.. so hardly a slam dunk.
> according to the NOVA classification.
I have massive problems with the NOVA classification.
For example, anything traditional gets a pass. Cheese? Traditional, so it's not highly processed, even if made in a factory. Oat milk? New, so it's classified as highly processed , even when there's less actual processing happening (talking about mass produced but real cheese here, not the American stuff).
I do get the idea behind NOVA, it's designed to be simple, to statistically improve the diets of people in Europe, and to accept that they won't stop people eating traditional foods so they should ignore them. Overall, trying to have less NOVA food items in your diet is a good start to healthy eating.
However, there's no nuance. It's (intentionally) simplistic. It falls apart when you focus on individual items like this, and it will get used this way.
Many things classified as highly processed, considered individually, could be fairly healthy. Many things not classified as highly processed, considered individually, could be unhealthy.
Statistically, applied to all foods, it should help steer people towards a healthier diet. But when talking about an individual food, you should have a stronger case than "it's NOVA classified as highly processed" before dismissing it.
Should be rebranded "calcium fortified drinks"
Nobody actually needs to drink dairy. I thought that was already well established.
Nobody actually needs <specific food>.
Nobody actually needs to eat beans.