PUBLIC HEALTH
Milk alternatives - dietary high caries risk? Soy milk, almond milk, oat milk and hundreds more... Whether you´re lactose-free, vegan or you have an allergy, grocery stores will likely fill your needs. But the question is: Are these milk alternatives any healthier than cow’s milk and do they impact our oral health?
Katarína Vendeľová, Slovakia
M
ilk is an essential component in the diet of around 6 billion people globally. Although mammals produce milk to feed their offspring, in many areas of the world humans continue to consume milk throughout their lives. In addition to milk, several dairy products such as cream, butter, yoghurt, kefir, and cheese have been produced and consumed worldwide for millennia (Visioli and Strata, 2014). Milk and dairy products may be delicious, but they are often also a significant component of people’s diets, offering an accessible source of calcium as well as other essential nutrients, fats and proteins. Calcium, however, is a unique mineral supporting vital metabolic processes, and ninety-nine percent of it is stored in the body’s bones and teeth, according to the National Institute of Health (2020). However, it must be emphasized that lactose intolerance is widespread throughout the world and that a significant proportion of the world’s population - possi-
28 | EDSA Magazine
bly up to 65% - would not benefit from any putative benefits of milk and dairy products (Malik and Panuganti, 2021). Even those who are able to digest lactose might wish to reduce or eliminate their milk and dairy intake because of other factors, such as health, veganism and animal welfare, and concerns regarding the environmental costs of intensive farming. A combination of these priorities has been the driving force behind the growth of dairy-free alternatives to the milk of farmed animals.
The dietary relevance of milk
While many foods and drinks contain calcium, most people currently find consuming milk and dairy to be the easiest way to meet their recommended daily amount. According to the study of Dr. Wu (2019), dairy products like cheese, milk, and yoghurt provide a variety of benefits to dental health. They contain casein proteins that form a protective film on the surface of teeth. These proteins can protect the enamel from
decay. They are mostly pH-neutral and can help neutralise acidic or sugary food and drinks. All dairy products are rich in calcium and phosphorus too, which helps the remineralisation of tooth enamel, but also have a role in the growth and development of bones pre-adulthood.
The implications of milk alternatives for oral health
Aside from allergies and intolerances, consumers choose milk alternatives for religious, ethical, environmental, and perceived health reasons. However, Daly (2020) explored some of the limitations to these arguments. For example,
