How animal milk and plant-based alternatives diverge in terms of fatty acid, amino acid, and mineral composition

Plant-based beverages (PBBs) are increasingly replacing fresh milk, but their nutritional value is often debated. This study compared the fatty acid, amino acid, and mineral composition of various almond, oat, rice, coconut, and soy PBBs to cow and goat milk. Soy PBBs showed comparable protein content and amino acid profiles to animal milk, while others were significantly lower in total protein, lipids, amino acids, and minerals. The presence of antinutrients in PBBs and their potential to reduce nutrient bioavailability were discussed. The study highlights the significant differences in nutritional composition between animal milk and PBBs, with soy-based beverages being a notable exception.

S. S. Moore, A. Costa, M. Pozza, T. Vamerali, G. Niero, S. Censi, M. De Marchi