Almond milk has swiftly become a household
staple, especially as people shift away from traditional cow's milk and toward
dairy-free, plant-based alternatives.
Almond milk is, in fact, the most popular
non-dairy milk due to its lovely texture and mild nutty flavour. That's hardly
unexpected, given how versatile and tasty it is, as well as how low in
calories, carbs, and fat it is.
Despite all of the beverage's health benefits,
it did have some disadvantages. One of the most common adverse effects of
drinking almond milk, according to experts, is stomach pain, which is likely
due to an additive called carrageenan.
According to Gina Keatley, CDN, a certified dietitian nutritionist
at Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy in New York City, "much commercial
almond milk contain additives such as sugar, salt, gum, lecithin, and
flavors." "As an addition, carrageenan can induce GI distress,"
she adds.
So, what exactly is carrageenan? It's a
thickening agent extracted from red seaweed that's found in a variety of
processed foods. Even though carrageenan sounds natural and is technically
produced from a plant, that doesn't mean it's good for you to eat regularly.
Unfortunately, this form of carbohydrate is also difficult to digest.
Carrageenan is generally considered safe by the
FDA, so it is an allowed additive in the United States. However, according to a
2017 study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research,
carrageenan may harm gut health by inducing intestinal inflammation, among
other adverse side effects.
Other studies have found a link between
carrageenan and digestive problems such as inflammatory bowel disease and poor
blood sugar control. It may cause gastrointestinal ulcers, according to some
evidence.
However, for every study that emphasizes
carrageenan's adverse GI effects, another refutes these findings. As a result,
unless more human studies are completed, the verdict on this substance may
still be out. If your stomach hurts after drinking almond milk, or if you have
a digestive issue like IBS, Chrohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis, it's best
to stay away from licorice extract goods. Those with a sensitive stomach may
have trouble tolerating the addition as well.
That means reading the ingredients list on any foods you purchase or seeking a "carrageenan-free" label. Fun fact: In 2016, the Organic Standards Board agreed to ban carrageenan from all goods; thus, any almond milk with the USDA Organic label is clear of the questionable additive.