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Milk alternatives – ranging from nuts to legumes and beyond – are gaining in popularity. But how do they stack up to cow’s milk?

According to Nielsen, Canadian sales of non-dairy milks increased by five per cent in 2017. Despite their growing presence in the dairy aisle, McGill University researchers say there has been little investigation into their comparative nutritional values.

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In a new study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology, the scientists looked at the pros and cons of the four most popular plant-based milks: almond, coconut, rice and soy.

Pitted against the nutritional profile of cow’s milk, which “is still the most nutritious,” they found one “clear winner” in the plant-based category: unsweetened soy milk.

“It is quite clear that nutritionally soy milk is the best alternative for replacing cow’s milk in human diet,” the researchers conclude.

However, its ‘beany flavour’ is considered a con. As is soy milk’s “anti-nutrients (substances that reduce nutrient intake and digestion).” Seeking better taste, people have increasingly turned to almond milk but it too has its drawbacks.