Almond milk has an abundance of vitamins and minerals, along with low calorie and low fat benefits. This dairy milk alternative serves as a great option for lactose intolerant people and men or women avoiding soy products. In a nut shell, natural almond milk with no additives has equal or better sources of important macronutrients in comparison to other milk varieties.
Low Fat and Low Calories
One cup of almond milk will only provide you with about 60 calories. For those looking to watch their weight, this option provides a great choice. Almond milk also has zero saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol, all of which negatively impact heart health and blood pressure.
25 of the 60 total calories in a serving size of almond milk come from fat sources. Those fat calories come from either polyunsaturated or monounsaturated fats, both known as healthy sources that have the ability to lower cholesterol levels.
Carbohydrate Content
Every cup of almond milk contains only 8 grams of carbohydrates, 7 of which come from low glycemic sugars. The other carbohydrate source comes from fiber, something that most other milk varieties do not provide.
The low glycemic carbs found in foods like almond milk keep our blood sugar levels stable without fluctuation. This decreases the chance of weight gain, plus kidney and pancreatic damage caused by sugar rich foods that cause insulin spikes.
Low Sodium
Much like other milk varieties, almond milk also has a low level of sodium per serving. Too much sodium increases our blood pressure. When found in the human body, this ion works to retain water as well. This often causes a bloated look in our lower abdominal section when we consume sodium rich foods.
At only 150 mg of sodium per serving, almond milk serves as a feasible option in a low sodium diet.
Calcium and Vitamin D Rich
By drinking just one cup of almond milk, we will take in no less than 30% of our recommended daily value of calcium. Each cup of the milk variety also contains about 25% of our recommended daily value of Vitamin D.
These two nutrients work in sync providing us with healthy bone and teeth formation. These functions become especially important for developing children, infants and the elderly.
Vitamin E and Riboflavin
These two antioxidants work in our bodies beyond the normal function of most nutrients. Vitamin E helps protect our skin against sun damage, while increasing its overall appearance and health.
Riboflavin acts as an essential nutrient in that it does not occur naturally in our bodies. Therefore, we must consume the B vitamin through the consumption of food. Also known as Vitamin B2, riboflavin activates Vitamin B6. This nutrient helps new tissue in our eyes; skin and nervous system maintain healthy growth, reproduction and repair.
Magnesium and Manganese
Magnesium helps increase bone and teeth density by allowing more absorption of the calcium provided by almond milk. This nutrient has proven to show improvements in heart health as well.
Manganese also works in the creation of bones, but provides us with healthy growth in connective tissue. One serving size of almond milk contains about 6% of the nutrient.
