Learn more. Almond milk is a modern-day fixture of the conscious-eating movement. Here’s the strange twist: a gallon of commercially prepared almond milk uses just a handful of almonds. Claims beyond the “weirdness” of producing milk with almonds include environmental concerns. One kernel of California almond requires 12 litres of water, which raises questions about the industrial production of these nuts in water-scarce areas. Almond milk ingredients, PET bottle, PP bottle cap, and the electricity and natural gas use of the almond milk processing facility make up over 90% of each environmental impact category. It has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions and its raw materials require the least land to grow, but it is by far the thirstiest plant milk. Results for other categories highlight the importance of primary packaging in … There have been a few viral articles getting a lot of attention that berate almond milk for being very unsustainable and as bad as cows milk for the environment. Advertising. So, while one doesn’t have to dismally abandon their almond milk latte for fear of destroying the planet, considering opting for a different non-dairy alternative every now and then. One day cow milk might be nutritionally superior for me, and almond milk the next. Companies like Blue Diamond and Silk contain approximately 38 almonds in a half gallon of milk. While there are a few environmental concerns with almond milk, it’s also important to remember the upsides, too. Almond Milk. To make almond milk nutritionally comparable to the beverage you're substituting it for—dairy milk—the best almond milk brands will fortify their drinks with calcium and vitamins A, D, and E. Shortest ingredient list as possible. In fact, per cup, almond milk is actually less water-intensive than cow’s milk. Three times as many greenhouse gases are emitted compared to the production of soy, rice, oat or almond milk alternatives. Those motivated by environmental reasons to cut out cow’s milk argue they want to reduce the planetary footprint of what they consume. As much as we wish there were enough vegans on this earth to account for the popularity of these products, there simply are not enough plant-eaters to be held responsible for the worldwide consumption of avocados and almonds. Nevertheless, dairy alternatives aren’t entirely relinquished of blame when it comes to environmental impact. Almond Milk Is Unhealthy and It's Destroying The Environment — UMZU Many people think almond milk is a healthy options as a milk alternative. As of this year, almond milk surpassed soy as the number one dairy substitute in America. The lower-calorie, vegan milk alternative is a staple in grocery stores and coffee shops across the country now, but its booming popularity comes at a heavy environmental cost. California almond orchards are a monoculture environment. Almond milk is the most popular nondairy alternative, accounting for 64 percent of that market. I guess the answer is "money" or "because their customers want it" and, yes, I know the same could be said about many of their offerings (e.g., beef). But be warned: while it may be healthy for your body, it might not be so healthy for the planet. By Sarah Berry Updated November 10, 2015 — 7.27am first published November 9, 2015 — 8.02pm But according to a January report by The Guardian, the growth of almond milk could be causing unintentional harm to the environment. Almond and soy milk are the two most popular plant-based alternatives to cow’s milk. Milks from nuts The main issues associated with almond milk production are water use and pesticide use, which may produce long lasting effects on the environment in drought-stricken California, where more than 80% of the world’s almonds are grown. However, the research behind this is fundamentally flawed if you actually look at the details. Unfortunately many people aren't aware that almond is destroying their health. Water use is similarly higher for cow's milk: 628 liters of water for every liter of dairy, compared to 371 for almond, 270 for rice, 48 for oat and 28 for soy milk. Before sweetener is added, a cup of almond milk has just 30 calories. You are Getting an Incredible Amount of Nutrients. "It's best to look for an almond milk with a shorter ingredient list and fewer ingredients added to it. Thus, a gallon of commercial almond milk contains about 69 almonds, meaning that almond milk requires 69 gallons of water to produce, vs. 880 for dairy milk. Almond milk requires 384 litres of water per litre, and cow’s milk requires 1016 litres of water to produce, which is 2.5x more water. Water use is similarly higher for cow’s milk: 628 litres of water for every litre of dairy, compared to 371 for almond, 270 for rice, 48 for oat and 28 for soy milk. Understandable, as it is a healthier, vegan, more environmentally responsible dairy-free option. Most soy milk sold in the UK is made with beans from Europe or Canada. A single glass requires 74 litres (130 pints of water) - more than a typical shower. Almond Milk. Some good news - if you know what to look for you can choose an almond milk that doesn't put the environment, or the US bee population, at risk. It takes 23 gallons of water to produce a single gallon of almond milk. Milks from nuts Almond production is often slammed for excessive water consumption and pesticide use, but the environmental benefits of almond milk abound. There’s some good news: you may not be destroying the environment as much as you’ve continued to not care about. California is the largest producer of almond milk in the world, followed by Australia. In comparison, the environmental effects of one liter ranks worse than any plant-based alternative, no matter which aspect you choose to look at. The world is in love with almond milk. Cows are a major user of land and resources, and are a key source of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. Almond milk sales in the United States have soared recently, exceeding $1 billion in 2018 a number that is expected to continue climbing 14.3 percent before the end of 2025. A new report has found that almond milk is responsible for killing bees. Environmental Impacts: the ‘Cows Versus Trees’ Issue. I’m not saying your almond milk habit is destroying the planet or ruining your health, or that you should immediately go cold turkey. The bees and water will thank you later. About 65 percent of the global human population is lactose intolerant, while others suffer from milk allergies. It is very frustrating when environmental impacts are measured on one factor alone. And yet they sell and market almond milk, the worst possible beverage that can be produced from an environmental standpoint due to the volume of water required. The Key Issues. Almond milk plays a big role in this, the market is expected to grow from $5.3 billion in 2018 to $13.3 billion by 2025. The production of almond milk is reliant on pollination by bees. From almond milk to oat milk, plant-based milks have been on-trend for years, but these dairy alternatives are more than a passing phase.