Are Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives a Sustainable and Healthy Path Forward?

🔍 Key Finding Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) offer potential health benefits for various conditions, including metabolic and dermatological diseases and arthritis, by providing valuable nutrients and addressing issues like lactose intolerance and cow’s milk protein allergy; however, further research is needed to fully understand their long-term effects and optimal use for specific populations like newborns and the elderly.

🔬 Methodology Overview

• Design: Systematic review
• Data Sources: Scopus, Web of Science Core Collection, and PubMed databases
• Selection Criteria: Publications in the last 10 years (2013-2023), English language, human and rodent studies related to plant-based dairy alternatives, their nutritional profiles, technology, consumer acceptability, and health aspects.
• Exclusion Criteria: Articles including animals other than rodents and studies lacking data on PBDAs or nutritional, technological, and health aspects.
• Analysis Approach: Qualitative synthesis of findings from selected articles.
• Scope: Plant-based dairy alternatives in relation to human diet, from raw materials to final products, including industrial processes and health-related concerns.

📊 Results

• Plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) are predicted to increase from 7.4% of the overall milk market share to over 18.5% by 2023.
• PBDAs are produced from various sources: cereals (oat, rice, corn), pseudocereals (quinoa, amaranth), legumes (soy, peanut, lupin, pea), nuts (almond, coconut, hazelnut, walnut), and seeds (sesame, flax, hemp, sunflower).
• PBDAs have a different nutritional profile compared to cow’s milk, often lower in protein, vitamins, and minerals, but are cholesterol-free and lactose-free. Soy-based milk has comparable protein content to cow’s milk.
• Fortification of PBDAs with calcium is common but sedimentation can be an issue, with some studies showing unshaken calcium-fortified soy milk having only 31% of the labeled calcium content.
• Consumption of PBDAs may be beneficial for individuals with lactose intolerance, cow’s milk protein allergy, metabolic syndrome, certain dermatological conditions (acne, skin aging, psoriasis), and potentially rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis.
• Plant-based milk alternatives are not a suitable substitute for cow’s milk or infant formula for infants aged below 24 months, except in specific medical cases with proper fortification.
• More research is needed on the long-term health effects of PBDAs, optimal processing methods, nutrient bioavailability, and consumer acceptance.

💡 Clinical Impact PBDAs may offer benefits for patients with metabolic syndrome, certain dermatological conditions, and inflammatory arthritis, potentially influencing dietary recommendations for these conditions. However, more research, particularly in vivo studies, is needed to confirm these benefits and establish clear guidelines for PBDA use in specific patient populations, especially concerning infants and the elderly.

🤔 Limitations

• Limited long-term effects data of plant-based dairy alternatives.
• Plant-based beverages are unsuitable substitutes for cow milk and cow milk-based formulas for infants aged below 24 months (except specific medical cases with proper fortification).
• Nutritional deficits can occur if cow milk or formulas are inadequately substituted with plant-based drinks, especially in infants.
• Plant-based dairy alternatives may not provide the same nutrient targets as animal-based dairy products.
• More research is needed on the impact of increased consumption of specific plant-based dairy alternatives on diet quality and overall wellness, especially in the elderly.
• More studies are needed to clarify the administration of plant-based dairy alternatives for those with special dietary needs, such as pregnant women and the elderly.
• Consumer acceptance of plant-based dairy alternatives needs further investigation.

✨ What It Means For You Doctors should be aware of the growing use of plant-based dairy alternatives (PBDAs) and their potential benefits for patients with metabolic diseases, dermatological issues, and arthritis, as well as those with lactose intolerance or cow’s milk protein allergy. However, they should also counsel patients, particularly infants, children, pregnant women, and the elderly, on the potential nutritional deficiencies of PBDAs compared to traditional dairy and the need for proper supplementation and fortification when necessary.

Reference Plamada D, Teleky B-E, Nemes SA, Mitrea L, Szabo K, Călinoiu L-F, Pascuta MS, Varvara R-A, Ciont C, Martău GA, et al. Plant-Based Dairy Alternatives—A Future Direction to the Milky Way. Foods. 2023;12:1883. https://doi.org/10.3390/foods12091883