Would you drink a glass of your own mother's breast milk?
If not, why consume the milk of a foreign animal species that is not designed for us? If you are a milk lover and do not consider giving it up, I invite you to discover the benefits of opting for plant-based alternatives:
1. Contribute to pandemic prevention: The use of antibiotics is common in dairy cows due to the crowded conditions in which they are kept. Furthermore, it is completely illogical to drink the milk of a species other than your own and for this to continue into adulthood and old age. This does not happen in nature. Cow's milk is designed to make the calf double its weight in two months and is addictive, to ensure the baby survives, not for the growth of a human. The antibiotics and hormones that are administered to females to continuously impregnate them and give milk are transferred to the consumer who drinks it. So much medication can accelerate the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, increasing the risk of infections and mutations dangerous to humans, a potential factor in creating pandemics.
2. End animal abuse: Livestock farming and dairy production often keep cows in devastating conditions. This coupled with the suffering of mother and offspring when they are separated, denying the babies the food they deserve. This practice is carried out incessantly throughout the life of the cows, which, when they stop giving milk, are taken to the slaughterhouse to be killed, often in an inhumane manner. Documentaries like Meat the Truth, Cowspiracy or Dominion, etc. provide evidence of the truth that these industries hide. Choosing plant-based drinks supports a system that is sustainable and ecological.
3. Promote health and disease prevention: Vegetable drinks are usually less allergenic than cow's milk and replacing them in your diet can reduce the risk of digestive problems, helping to mitigate the risks of chronic diseases such as inflammation, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disorders and certain types of cancer, among others. Many people experience lactose intolerance without knowing it, and some studies suggest that milk could even be linked to osteoporosis. Vegetable milks are lactose-free and easy to absorb, offer valuable nutrients and can be rich in vitamins and minerals, especially if they are fortified, and can be complemented in the diet with foods rich in calcium such as sesame, legumes, oranges and green leafy vegetables, among others.
4. Discover sustainable and delicious options: Plant-based milks are more environmentally friendly than cow milks whose operations are hidden outside the cities under strict secrecy. Vegetable milks do not generate the tons of excrement and the enormous consumption of water, pestilence and pollution of soil, rivers, lakes and groundwater from industrial farms. The methane gas expelled by animals is the largest contributor to climate change (trapping 72 times more heat than CO2). Plants are ecological. There are so many varieties that you are sure to find more than one type you can enjoy, whether they are almond, soy, walnut, coconut, rice, hazelnut, oat, etc. From these drinks you can make other derivatives similar to dairy products such as cheese, butter, yogurt, cream and ice cream, which in addition to being delectable, are sustainable and ideal for use in all types of recipes such as stews, pizzas, breads and cakes. Taste them, you will surely not notice the difference or you may even prefer them.
