Exploring the Amazing Personal Health Benefits of Oat Milk
At Two Bears, we believe oat milk offers the best plant based alternative to dairy on the market. In part due to its minimal carbon footprint when compared to its peers but also its positive impact on our physical health and well-being. We have found through years of experimentation with crafting the perfect coffee that oat milk has the creamiest texture and seems to be the best at frothing up in lattes or cappuccinos. On top of that, oats can be grown locally in Canada, rather than importing plant-based milks and increasing our carbon footprint. Let’s dive into the personal health benefits of the humble, yet versatile, oat.
Contents
- The Impact of Dairy on Our Overall Well-being
- The Humble Yet Versatile Oat
- Health Benefits of Oat Milk
- The Bottom Line
The Impact of Dairy on Our Overall Well-being
Did you know that approximately 65% of the global population experience some form of lactose intolerance or malabsorption issues? It is estimated that several billion people on Earth struggle to digest dairy products. Even though many of us have evolved a gene that can help us absorb dairy better than many others, millions of us still struggle with this incredibly common condition.
So what is lactose intolerance? Well, as infants, we produce an enzyme called lactase which helps break down lactose, the sugar found in dairy milk and other products. As we get older, we often lose this useful enzyme which is why we begin to have adverse reactions to dairy such as painful gas, nausea, diarrhoea and other deeply uncomfortable stomach issues. Dairy products are linked to chronic inflammation in individuals with a variety of conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), gluten intolerance or celiac disease, acne, and eczema. Chronic inflammation of the gut when left untreated can translate into much worse health issues over time, resulting in the onset of type two diabetes, heart disease, Crohn’s disease and others.
Harvard research suggests that a high dairy intake can negatively impact health, including contributing to cancer in men and women. It is worth considering the oft quoted line about how unusual we are as humans to be the only mammal that consumes milk from other animals. Perhaps we should not take that fact for granted as easily as we do. Additionally, the global dairy industry is worth billions of dollars and is an industry predicated on animal cruelty in spite of the best efforts of some to produce dairy in more humane ways.
The Humble Yet Versatile Oat
They might not be a whole lot to look at, but we humans have spent a lot of time with the humble oat. Oats were thought to have been first grown and cultivated in the Middle East during the Neolithic Revolution of Agriculture around 4000 years ago. It was initially considered a weed by early farmers, before they realized its benefit as feed for both humans and animals. They also discovered that oats could be grown in poorer soils, making it more versatile than other cereals. The Romans regarded oats as poor quality horse food and it was often ignored by our human ancestors as a potential source of nutrients, which was due to oats going off very quickly after being harvested so they required a faster processing time than other grains. Even now, less than 5% of oats are grown for human consumption.
Health Benefits of Oat Milk
The personal health benefits of switching to oat milk are extensive and life changing, especially if you have been navigating long-term lactose intolerance and its painful uncomfortable issues. We also happen to think it is the creamiest, best flavoured alternative to dairy milk available. So let’s dive into what oats and in particular oat milk can do for our health.
- Oats contain a life-enhancing ingredient called βeta-Glucan that reduces blood cholesterol levels, which keep our cardiovascular system healthy.
- Oats contain soluble fiber which is easy to digest and helps stabilize blood sugar throughout the day. This explains why you are less likely to crave a mid-morning snack if you started your day with a bowl of oatmeal.
- Oats are actively anti-inflammatory and contain ingredients that can positively help with skin conditions such as eczema, due to their optimal amino acid balance.
- Oat milk itself contains 50% of your daily intake of vitamin B12, a key nutrient that maintains the health of blood and nerve cells. If you are exploring plant-based diets, getting enough vitamin B12 can be a real issue as it tends to only be present in animal products. Oat milk is rich in carbohydrates and B vitamins, a great energy source to get you through the day.
- It’s a high source of fiber, promoting healthy digestion and happy gut bacteria, reducing inflammation and therefore the chances of getting inflammation-linked diseases such as arthritis or ulcerative colitis. Oats also contain lots of other bioactive compounds like polyphenols that are used in the body’s fight against cancer.
- Oat milk is fortified with Vitamin D and calcium which is vital to promoting bone health and strength. Calcium is often the one touted by the dairy industry for its importance in this regard, but vitamin D plays a key role in absorbing the calcium into your body.
- Oats are rich in antioxidants that help fight health issues stemming from chronic inflammation and are low in saturated fats, a sharp contrast to products containing dairy.
- Maintaining a healthier gut is also linked to supporting those struggling with mental disorders, facilitating mind-body balance and equilibrium.
The Bottom Line
Oat milk is a terrific alternative to dairy that facilitates a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle. The benefits of switching to oat milk are significant, reducing chronic inflammation and even the risk of serious illness. Helping cultivate a happier and healthier gut can have a positive influence on our lives while supporting our overall well-being. A simple switch to oat milk can go a very long way!
At Two Bears, our mission is to energize your mission, your moments. In a world of influence, our hope is to reconnect you with you so that you can make meaningful connections with the world around you. We craft the freshest, frothiest energy for you to sip and turn into whatever you need that day – human connection, motivation, creativity, confidence, slowness... we encourage you to craft your moment with Two Bears, whatever that moment may be.
← Older Post Newer Post →