Why Is Everyone Trying To Cancel Oat Milk All Of A Sudden?
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Jess Newman. Find her on Instagram at @_jess_n_. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
The first plant milk craze however many years ago was almond milk. Everyone wanted almond milk instead of cow’s milk. Then instead of almond milk, oat milk became the plant milk everyone wanted. Now a few years down the line, people on the internet are starting to become oat milk haters. What changed?
How did oat milk become popular?
Perfect Daily Grind states, “In the US alone, retail sales of oat milk increased by more than 50% to US $527.44 million in 2022 – indicating its mass appeal among consumers.” Oat milk is creamier than almond milk. Even as a vegan myself, I have never liked almond milk. I find it to be super watery (my vote is for cashew milk, but that’s not what this article is about). Oat milk was widely embraced by baristas because of its creamy texture and neutral flavor much like cow’s milk. Due to this oat milk has a great ability to create high-quality microfoam, and more and more coffee shops began to stock it – even leading to stock shortages following sharp rises in demand.
Benefits of plant milk
Experts at UCLA say that even if you don’t have a dairy allergy you should consider switching to plant milk. This is because plant milk doesn’t have added hormones like cow’s milk, has fewer calories and fat, and plant milk is more environmentally friendly than cow’s milk. Plant milk requires less land, less water, and the process produces fewer emissions. Dr. Hunnes from UCLA states, “The cows needed to produce dairy milk emit up to three times the amount of carbon dioxide as plants. Switching to plant-based milk immediately reduces your carbon footprint.”
Plant milk also doesn’t contain lactose like cow’s milk. This is good because most adults are actually lactose intolerant. According to The National Institue of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, “While most infants can digest lactose, many people begin to develop lactose malabsorption—a reduced ability to digest lactose—after infancy. Experts estimate that about 68 percent of the world’s population has lactose malabsorption.”
Why do some experts hate plant milk?
Much like any other food product in the United States, there can be certain additives that make plant milk unhealthy. This includes oil and sugar. Not every brand uses these additives and that’s why it’s best to check the nutrition labels before you buy. Find the brands that have the most simple ingredients. Another tip is to stay away from the flavored varieties. These have more sugar and more additives.
Why is oat milk problematic?
Some people claim that oat milk makes them bloated. I checked the facts and oat milk could be the reason, but there is probably another problem that the oat milk is exacerbating. According to LiveScience.com, “Due to their beta-glucan content, oats can cause certain individuals to experience a host of gastrointestinal problems, such as bloating, gas and stomach cramps.” I looked up beta-glucan and here is what I found. HealthLine.com says, “Beta-glucan is a type of soluble fiber found naturally in a variety of food sources, including oats, barley, sorghum, and rye. It has been associated with numerous health benefits and may help lower cholesterol levels, improve blood sugar management, and boost immune health.” Since beta-glucan is naturally derived, it’s not an artificial additive. During my research when I saw this I immediately wanted to know if the gastrointestinal problems some people experience are because they are celiac and oats aren’t gluten-free. This is not the case. According to Beyond Celiac, “Yes, pure, uncontaminated oats are gluten-free. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration considers oats a gluten-free grain under its gluten-free labeling regulations.”
Is oat milk bad for your skin?
Other people claim that oats are the cause of their acne, but is oat milk bad for your skin? Here’s what I came up with. According to Exposed Skincare, “Studies have shown that high glycemic index (GI) foods can cause an increase in insulin levels, which can lead to an increase in sebum production. Oats have a low GI, though, which means they do not cause a significant increase in insulin levels. This makes it unlikely that oat milk alone would cause acne.”
Oat milk also doesn’t contain hormones like cow’s milk. Even though organic milk is produced by cows that aren’t given artificial hormones, cows produce their own hormones. According to River Chase Dermatology, “Hormones play a big role in stimulating acne in people of all ages. cows produce insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1, which surges during puberty in humans and contributes to acne. They also produce sex hormones called androgens, which can also contribute to acne.” Oat milk is better for you due to this, but if you’re worried about it you can always choose another plant milk. There are plenty to choose from including coconut, soy, flax, rice, quinoa, pea and almond. Remember to watch out for oils and sugar and you’ll be fine! Go save the cows one glass of plant milk at a time. If you need help to choose a plant milk, you should read our article on which plant milk is more sustainable.
What do you think about oat milk? Have you seen the recent online hate? Is oat milk bad for you skin? Let us know in the comments below!