What Is Oat Milk?
Oat milk is a non-dairy, lactose-free, and vegan-friendly alternative to cow milk. It’s made from oats that have been soaked in water, blended, and strained. The resultant milk can be consumed as is or you can also add natural sweeteners like vanilla, dates, or cinnamon for extra flavor. Oat milk is majorly used in many vegan diets and is being popularized for its low-calorie content. Oat milk replaces dairy in many recipes and tastes delicious. Its lactose-free nature also makes it a perfect choice for those with lactose intolerance. It is also nut-free and ideal for individuals with nut allergies. Oat milk is a healthy, dairy-free alternative that is rich in calcium and other essential nutrients. Know more in the next section.
Oat Milk Nutrition
100 ml of oat milk contains the following nutrients (1): Thanks to these nutrients, oat milk offers important health benefits. Read on to learn more about them.
Health Benefits Of Oat Milk
1. May Lower LDL Cholesterol
Oat milk has dietary fiber (especially β-glucan). In studies, intake of oat milk had resulted in significantly lower serum total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (2). Consumption of sufficient quantities of oat products has been shown to reduce cholesterol and decrease the risk of cardiovascular disease. These effects could be attributed to the gel-forming properties of β-glucan. This fiber plays a role in cholesterol metabolism and removes intestinal cholesterol for excretion. β-glucan in oats also modulates the gut microbiota, particularly those bacterial species that influence body bile acid metabolism and production of short-chain fatty acids. These factors play a role in cholesterol reduction too (3).
2. May Promote Bone Health
Antioxidants such as vitamin E are known to protect against the damaging free radicals. They also help reduce the risk of arthritis (4). Oat milk contains a decent amount of calcium, iron, and various other minerals. These play a vital role in maintaining bone mineral density. Commercial oat milk is also a good source of vitamin B12, which has been linked to healthy bones and a lower risk of osteoporosis (hollow and porous bones). However, more research is warranted in this regard.
3. May Help Manage Constipation
Intermediate soluble and fermentable fibers are abundant in oats (5). These fibers may help reduce constipation by increasing stool bulk and accelerating colon transit. Fermenting fiber produces short-chain fatty acids, like butyrate or acetate, which increase accelerate colon transit. These fatty acids also may improve stool consistency and aid in easing constipation.
4. May Regulate Blood Sugar Levels
Dietary fiber helps regulate blood glucose and blood lipid levels due to its non-digestibility in the small intestine and fermentation in the colon. Oats and oat products (like oat milk) are a good source of soluble dietary fiber rich in β-glucan, which may help reduce postprandial glucose and insulin responses. β-glucan may also improve insulin sensitivity and maintain glycemic control. In studies, oats intake had significantly reduced the concentrations of glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), fasting blood glucose (FBG), total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) (6).
5. May Accelerate Weight Loss
Diets rich in fiber may contribute positively to long-term weight management. The beneficial role of β-glucan in insulin resistance and obesity is being continuously documented. This fiber forms highly viscous solutions in the human gut and improve satiety. β-glucan also helps in the generation of short-chain fatty acids. These short-chain fatty acids also promote satiety by modulating various appetite-regulating hormones like PYY, GLP-1, and ghrelin (7). However, research in this area is limited, and further investigation is warranted. Oat milk is being popularized for its proven health benefits and many are including it in their diet as a healthy alternative to regular milk. But it may cause some side effects in a few. Learn more in the next section.
Potential Side Effects Of Oat Milk
Processed Varieties May Have High Sugar And Preservatives
Commercial oat milk is filled with additives, preservatives, and artificial flavorings. So, it can affect your digestive system and intestinal flora. Oat milk also contains added sugars, especially when sweetened. It can be unhealthy and cause diarrhea when combined with the high fiber content. Hence, always try opting for sugar-free varieties of oat milk.
May Cause Gastrointestinal Discomfort
Oat milk may cause stomach upset in a few due to its high fiber content. One may also experience intestinal gas, bloating, flatulence, burping, and stomach pain. The soluble fiber in oat milk may absorb excess water, turn it into a gel-like substance, and possibly slow down the digestion process. If you are intolerant or allergic to oats, you may also experience vomiting or nausea. Heather Hanks, a nutritionist, says oats and oat milk contain a compound called phytic acid that acts as an anti-nutrient and blocks the proper absorption of certain minerals. It may also cause digestive inflammation. You can eliminate most of the phytic acid content by soaking your oats overnight before making oat milk. However, these side effects are rare and are observed with the excess intake of commercial oat milk containing high sugar or preservatives. You can reduce the risk of these side effects by preparing oat milk at home.
How To Make Your Own Oat Milk
You can use this oat milk as a substitute for regular milk in your delicacies for a unique flavor. However, the protein content in oat milk is a point of concern when you are replacing regular dairy with it. How much protein does oat milk contain? Let us understand in the next section.
How Much Protein Does Oat Milk Contain?
100 ml of oat milk contains 1.25 grams of protein. It is comparatively less than regular milk. Hence, if you are substituting regular milk with oat milk, ensure you also include other protein-rich foods in your diet regularly. Is oat milk good for you every day? Yes, daily consumption of oat milk may reduce cholesterol levels and the risk of arthritis (2), (4). Which is better: almond or oat milk? Both almond milk and oat milk are beneficial for your health. Oat milk is low-fat and is rich in protein, iron and sodium (1). Almond milk is low in calories and carbohydrates and rich in calcium (8). You can choose as per your preference. Is oat milk good for your skin? Yes, oat milk is rich in calcium which may help in wound healing and skin barrier formation (1), (9).
