4 Reasons to Ditch Almonds and Drink Flax Milk Instead

The era of plant-based milks is upon us! Stroll in to your local grocery store and you can probably buy almond milk, soy milk, walnut milk, hazelnut milk, coconut milk, macadamia milk, cashew milk, oat milk, or rice milk—there are so many non-dairy options to be had. Let the lactose-intolerant rejoice!

But every dairy alternative comes with a caveat. Coconut milk doesn’t contain much protein. Rice milk is watery and not super nourishing. Almond milk has a big environmental footprint. Soy milk may not be great for those with hormonal issues. But what about flax milk? It’s definitely not the most popular of the non-dairy milks, but it deserves way more cred.

FLAX MILK HEALTH BENEFITS

Here’s why you should consider giving it a try.

1. It helps balance hormones.

Flax milk is an incredibly rich source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids, which is practically fuel for hormonal balance. 

Did you know that hormones are actually made from cholesterol, which is found in fats—yes, even healthy fats. If you’re not eating enough omega fatty acids (particularly omega-3s), your hormonal production may suffer—along with other important bodily functions.

Flax is also comparable to soy in terms of its protein content, which can help balance blood sugar levels and further encourage hormonal balance.

2. FLAX IS HEART HEALTHY.

Flax is commonly known to help prevent and treat heart disease, but it’s not just its high fiber content that makes it so heart healthy.

Compounds found in flax have been shown in studies to help lower blood pressure while decreasing oxidative stress and inflammation. These flax-derived compounds may also help protect against cancer and other chronic diseases.

3. IT’S ALLERGEN-FRIENDLY.

There are a lot of people with soy and nut allergies. If you have a dairy allergy, too, you’re in a tough boat.

The beautiful thing about flax is that it is a seed, which is a much less common allergen here in the US (although seed allergies are possible). For that reason, flax milk can be a great option for those who can’t enjoy dairy, almond, or soy.

4. IT’S THE ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS CHOICE.

Nuts are a water-intensive crop, especially almonds. In 2017, it was estimated that it takes 15.3 gallons of water to produce a mere 16 individual almonds! With California’s ongoing water crisis, that is simply not sustainable.

Flax, on the other hand, is much less water-intensive, grows in 50 countries around the world, and is self-pollinating (let’s give those stressed-out California bees a break).

So, yes, flax milk is pretty great. And did I mention it’s creamy and delicious? Make your own at home or buy from brands like Good Karma flax milk. It’s environmentally-friendly, healthy and definitely worth a taste.