Almond milk is the nutty and creamy beverage made from finely blending and then straining almond and water. Its characteristic pleasant taste makes it a popular alternative to non-organic dairy products and beverages made from soy beans. This drink can be used as an ingredient for cooking and baking as well. Homemade almond milk is undoubtedly a healthy addition to one’s diet. However, commercially produced versions of this beverage typically contain a blend of harmful additives. Avoiding almond milk and other almond-based products may have to be done by individuals with certain health conditions as well.
Read further and discover more about the negative effects of almond milk and why the Superhuman Food Pyramid recommends you avoid this source of hydration to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.
Almond Milk Risks:
First and foremost, people with tree nut allergy must avoid almond milk and any almond-based products. Symptoms may be as mild as hives which are red itchy spots on the skin, to severe as difficulty breathing and loss of consciousness. Furthermore, effects of intolerance to tree nuts typically manifest within the first two hours following ingestion.
Almonds, and for that matter almond milk products, are abundant sources of tyrosine. This non-essential amino acid is crucial for overall health. However, people with chronic migraine may want to consult with their physicians prior to almond milk consumption as tyrosine in the drink may worsen the condition. Tyrosine affects the levels of thyroid hormones, and so individuals with thyroid conditions may want to avoid almond milk and other almond-based products as well.
Mass produced almond milk brands often have fillers like soy as well. The latter contains equol and genistein, isoflavones that affect the production of thyroid hormones. It is for this reason individuals with thyroid problems are typically advised against soy consumption. A large percentage of soy products these days come from genetically modified versions of this crop as well.
Commercial almond milk brands have most likely been added with thickeners, too. Most commonly used in the food manufacturing business nowadays is carrageenan, which is a type of polysaccharide obtained from red algae. Carrageenan’s known side effects include digestive distress characterized by excessive gas, bloating, diarrhea and fatigue. Caution is warranted when it comes to carrageenan consumption as to this day, there is not enough evidence to prove that it is safe when consumed on a regular basis.
Another thickener that is of concern is soy lecithin, which may have been sourced from genetically soy beans. The thickener guar gum is commonly used in commercial almond milk production as well. Though proven to be generally safe for human consumption, even minute amounts of this thickener can already cause significant gastrointestinal distress. Individuals with conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may do well to avoid guar gum-containing beverages like commercial almond milk.
A variety of almond milk brands have been sweetened, too. Some manufacturers use cane juice, while others utilize high fructose corn syrup. Meanwhile, sweetened low-calorie brands may contain toxic sugar substitutes like sucralose, aspartame, or acesulfame.
In the next post, I’ll tell you the negative effects of red wine and why you should avoid it to help in your quest to Become Superhuman.
In the meantime, if you care to jump ahead, here is a complete listing of drinks to avoid as well as consume regularly and moderately on the Superhuman Food Pyramid:
Drink:
Moderate:
- Non-Caffeinated Teas
- Coconut Milk
- Raw, Grass-Fed Cow or Goat’s Milk
- Kefir
- Sports Drinks
- Smoothies (With Natural Ingredients)
- Arabica Coffee Regular and Decaf
- Caffeinated Tea (includes Green Tea)
- Anti-Oxidant Drinks or Powders
- Rice Milk
Avoid:
- Almond Milk
- Red Wine
- Energy Drinks
- Flavored Waters
- Soda
- Soy Milk
- Regular Cow’s Milk
- Instant Coffee
- Blended Coffee
- Lattes
- Mochas
- Beer
- Mixed Drinks
- Hard Alcohol
If you have questions, comments or feedback about the negative effects of almond milk, the Superhuman Food Pyramid, this website, or other aspects of Becoming Superhuman, then leave your thoughts below, as well as any tips you have on the negative effects of almond milk.
Author Bio: Ben Greenfield
His credentials include:
Bachelor’s and master’s degrees from University of Idaho in sports science and exercise physiology
Personal training and strength and conditioning certifications from the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Sports nutrition certification from the International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN)
Advanced bicycle fitting certification from Serotta, the “Harvard” of bicycle fitting schools
Over 10 years experience in coaching professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes from all sports
Ben hosts the highly popular fitness, nutrition and wellness website at http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com, which features blogs, podcasts, and product reviews from Ben. He is a frequent contributor to Triathlete magazine and LAVA magazine, Endurance Planet (http://www.enduranceplanet.com), the outdoor sports magazine OutThere Monthly and has been featured in WebMD, the Spokesman-Review, Inlander magazine, In-Health magazine, Fit-Pro magazine, PTontheNet, Prevention magazine, Women’s Running magazine, and Inside Triathlon magazine.
As a public speaker on fitness, nutrition, and training, Ben hosts one of the top ranked fitness podcasts in iTunes, the Get-Fit Guy (http://www.GetFitGuy.com), and has been a keynote lecturer at the Hawaii Ironman World Championships Medical Conference, the Coeur D’ Alene Ironman Medical Conference, USAT Art & Science of Coaching Symposium, Can-Fit-Pro Conference, Pilgrim’s Wellness Center Education Series, Fleet Feet Sports Endurance Sports Clinic and REI Nutrition Clinic. He sits on the board of directors for Tri-Fusion triathlon team, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and is the official coach for the YoungTri. As a triathlon coach and competitor, Ben competes at Ironman and Half-Ironman World Championships, holds a ranking as of USAT’s top ranked age grouper triathletes, and competes in 15-20 triathlons each year, both nationally and internationally.
