Oat Milk - Trend Or Tremendously Tasty Coffee Companion?
Non-dairy milk options are everywhere these days.
You can find them in the aisles of your grocery store, as dairy alternatives at your favorite coffee houses and cafes, you might even notice them used in featured drinks.
Some folks have turned to such alternatives out of necessity, due to allergies and intolerances surrounding dairy, while others have simply sought to give these options a try out of sheer curiosity.
But, are non-dairy milk alternatives really all that tasty, especially when used in your favorite lattes, cappuccinos, and other brews?
…which begs another question - with so many plant milk options available today, if you’re looking for a dairy free alternative, where should you start?
Well, a quick look at the plant milk market places one option above the rest, with oat milk topping all other dairy alternatives in both the United States and Europe.
But, why?
What makes oat milk a seemingly superior choice?
Is it the flavor? Is it the texture? Does it pair best with coffee? What about health benefits?
We’ll look at each of these questions and many more as we do a deep dive into what appears to be one of the world’s favorite coffee companions - oat milk!
Oat Milk Fads And Facts
While plant milks can be used as an alternative to dairy milk in a variety of ways, from recipe ingredients to drinking them plain, those of us who love coffee commonly think of these options primarily as they pertain to our favorite brew.
According to a recent survey, 77% of coffee drinkers use some type of milk or creamer in their coffee.
Such additions not only add a touch of creaminess to our beloved brews, they also tame the typical bitterness of coffee while adding a subtle hint of natural sweetness.
So, when you’re looking for a non-dairy milk to use in your coffee, there are several things to consider:
- Will it affect the flavor of my coffee?
- Will it curdle when added to hot coffee?
- Does it froth well?
- Will it change the texture of my brew?
Of course, since we’re highlighting oat milk today, let’s examine each of these in light of this non-dairy option -
Some plant milks curdle when heated…but not oat milk.
Some plant milks have a distinctively noticeable taste difference, compared to dairy milk…but not oat milk.
Some plant milks contain common allergens, such as nuts…but not oat milk.
Some plant milks fall flat when frothed…but not oat milk.
Some plant milks are super thin, even watery…but not oat milk.
Alright, you get it, oat milk has a lot to offer just about any brew, but how/why?
As we stated in our introduction today, oat milk is the most popular dairy milk alternative, and the above statements have a lot to do with that status.
It’s made by simply combining oats and water, blending the two in a high speed blender, then straining out any remaining pulp.
And, the result of this process is a slightly thickened, truly creamy liquid that, surprisingly enough, has a very similar mouthfeel to dairy milk.
This plant option also has a very neutral flavor, especially when compared to other non-dairy milk selections, making this a perfect coffee add-in.
Aside from this, oat milk also makes a very high quality microfoam, which means it can also be used in common cafe favorites like cappuccinos, lattes, and flat whites.
But, that’s not all…
Health, Habitat, And Lifestyle Benefits Of Oat Milk
Oat milk is a popular choice for many reasons.
It not only provides many benefits to your health, but this selection has proven to be a popular choice for lifestyle reasons as well - it’s even environmentally friendly!
So, let’s examine these benefits by category - lifestyle, habitat (environment), and health.
First, lifestyle:
1- Plant-Based Diet Friendly
For those people following a vegetarian, vegan, or plant based diet, oat milk is a great choice.
Sure, it’s made from only plant-based ingredients (literally just oats and water), but this also means it’s free of animal products, dairy, soy, and nuts.
Even better, this option is commonly fortified with calcium and vitamin D, nutrients which can be lacking in a plant-based diet.
2- Lactose-Free, Allergen-Free
Many people suffer from milk allergies and dairy intolerance.
For such folks, the lactose found in dairy, or simply dairy itself, can cause many negative gastrointestinal symptoms and problems such as diarrhea, nausea, pain/discomfort, even irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.
These conditions make plant milks a must, and oat milk, unlike some other plant milks, is often the most neutral choice.
Not only does oat milk not contain dairy or lactose, it’s also free of other common allergens such as nuts and soy. And, if the oats used in the milk are certified gluten free, this option can even be a best choice for those with gluten intolerance, sensitivities, or allergies.
But, what about oat milk’s environmental impact?
3- Less Land, Water, And Energy Use
In these three areas - land, water, and energy - oat milk seems to trump dairy options every time.
Compared to dairy milk, oat milk utilizes 80% less land.
Then, oat milk also requires much less water in its making than dairy milk and most other plant milks such as almond and soy.
Oat milk even beats out dairy when it comes to energy, requiring 60% less energy than cow’s milk.
One environmental drawback here, however, concerns glyphosate. As many traditionally grown crops, including oats, are sprayed with this harmful pesticide/herbicide, it’s important to use only organic oat milk options for best health.
And, speaking of health (benefits)...
4- Nutrient Dense
Oat milk provides many essential vitamins and minerals.
While you won’t get as many nutrients (naturally) in a cup of oat milk as you would in a bowl of oats, conventional varieties often have a variety of nutrients added for enhancement or fortification.
While oat milk doesn’t have quite as much protein as dairy milk, it does contain more calories, carbs, and fiber.
Additionally, the average store-bought oat milk contains 50% of the daily recommended value of vitamin B12, 45% of the DV of Riboflavin, 25% of the DV of calcium, and 20% of the DV of phosphorus, vitamin A, and vitamin D.
5- Lowers Cholesterol
Beta glucan is a type of soluble fiber beneficial to the health of your heart, and oat milk is loaded with it!
High levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol has been linked to heart disease as it can form plaque in your arteries. This plaque hardens and narrows your arteries which reduces, slows, or even blocks blood flow, leading to chest pain, or worse, a heart attack.
Beta glucan works to form a gel-like substance in your gut which is known for its ability to bind to cholesterol, reducing your body’s ability to absorb it.
One study found that those men who drank 3 cups of oat milk daily (roughly 3.5 grams of beta glucan), for 5 weeks, reduced their LDL cholesterol by 3-5%.
Just one cup of oat milk provides 1.2 grams of beta glucan.
6- Potential Cancer Prevention
A growing amount of research is showing an association between cow’s milk (including dairy products such as cheese) and an increased risk of some cancers, specifically breast cancer.
Researchers believe growth hormones in some dairy products may be at the root of this problem, and subsequently, many recommend switching to plant milk to avoid such.
Additionally, oat milk is currently being studied to determine its benefits regarding cancer prevention.
Multiple studies have shown whole grain oats contain antioxidants and phytoestrogens, both of which aid in cancer prevention.
And, while some research suggests oat milk possesses the same cancer preventing qualities, including evidence which proves oat milk has a more favorable anti-cancer profile than other plant milk options, full, exact proof of oat milk as a direct cancer-preventer has not yet been established.
Still, researchers are hopeful!
7- Stabilizes Blood Sugar Levels
Oat milk contains soluble fiber, and for those folks suffering with diabetes, this is good news!
Soluble fiber aids in stabilizing blood sugar levels, keeping sudden spikes at bay while also broadly helping to manage these levels.
Aside from this, for those who commonly experience blood sugar crashes within several hours of consuming a meal, also known as reactive hypoglycemia, oat milk’s potential to cause such a crash has been proven to be minimal.
…just be sure that your store-bought oat milk choice doesn’t contain added sugars. (Personally, I must say I have found the unsweetened store-bought oat milk varieties taste much better than any sweetened option.)
8- Bone Health Booster
As we’ve mentioned throughout our discussion today, many store bought oat milk varieties are fortified with calcium and vitamin D, and both of these are beneficial to the health of your bones.
Calcium is the primary mineral needed by your body to form bones, and over time, a lack of this mineral can cause your bones to become brittle.
Obviously, brittle bones are not healthy, strong bones, and this means they’re more dense and susceptible to fractures or diseases such as osteoporosis.
The thing is, your body also needs vitamin D in order to fully use any calcium you consume. Here, vitamin D actually helps your body to absorb calcium from your digestive tract.
Your body is constantly forming new bone tissue as old bone breaks down, so when you eat or drink healthy items which contain calcium and vitamin D (such as fortified oat milk), your body is then able to utilize the calcium to form new, healthy bone tissue.
Let’s Give Oat Milk A Try
Now that we’ve covered the many, mighty benefits of oat milk, including its neutral flavor, creamy texture, and easy frothing quality, let’s give it a try in this super simple, incredibly tasty easy oat milk latte recipe!
Ingredients
4 ounces very strongly brewed Lifeboost Dark Roast Coffee
8-12 ounces unsweetened oat milk
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon powdered stevia (or 2-3 drops liquid stevia)
Cinnamon or cocoa powder, for garnish
Instructions
- 1. Add oat milk to a small saucepan and heat over low-medium heat until hot. You don’t need to boil it, but you do want it to be considerably hot. While oat milk doesn’t tend to scorch as easily as dairy milk, I still like to stir pretty frequently when heating oat milk like this.
- 2. Add freshly brewed coffee to a large mug, then stir in vanilla and stevia.
- 3. Add heated oat milk to a glass and froth with a hand held frother until creamy and frothy (I like mine to increase by about ¼ in overall volume). You can also add this to a blender and blend on high (if your blender can tolerate hot liquids).
- 4. Top prepared coffee with heated and frothed oat milk, then garnish with a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder, and enjoy!
Note: One great thing about using oat milk in coffee recipes is its versatility! It froths well, as we’ve seen here, and it mixes almost effortlessly.
Of course, you can use it any time of year, in any number of coffee creations, but I personally love to swap out my regular milk choice for oat milk in the fall and winter months.
Throughout this time, flavors like cinnamon, maple, honey, cloves, nutmeg, typical chai spices, vanilla, pumpkin, caramel, cocoa, etc all seem to make their debut, and oat milk pairs exceptionally well with any and all of these options.
I’ve even found that oat milk makes the best…seriously the best…hot cocoa!
Of course, if you swap dairy milk for oat milk, then add a little java to your favorite hot cocoa recipe, you’ve got one of the tastiest mochas you’ll ever sample. Be sure to give it a try, you won’t be disappointed!
Other Than Oat Milk
Of course, we also recognize that some people can’t, or simply don’t wish to, consume dairy or plant based options like oat milk.
No worries! As coffee lovers here at Lifeboost, we’ve got you covered beyond beans, offering health-boosting coffee add-ins as well.
If you’re looking for truly healthy options to make your brew a bit creamier while also adding even more benefits to your clean, antioxidant-filled, healthy Lifeboost cup, consider either of the following options we have available -
Fit Foam
Personally, I like to add a little bit of protein to my coffee to make my sips a bit more balanced.
And, Fit Foam allows me to do that without lactose, soy, gluten, or artificial sweeteners.
Our Fit Foam Vanilla Protein Powder is made from a highly bioavailable source (milk protein isolate) that’s rich in essential amino acids.
Ultra-low in lactose, this option has proven to be a comfortable and effective protein source even for lactose-sensitive individuals.
It’s rich, creamy, sourced from grass-fed verified cows, and promotes satiety while curbing cravings as it contains zero sugar. In fact, Fit Foam only contains 4 ingredients - milk protein isolate, natural flavor (vanilla), salt, and monk fruit extract.
Most commonly, we like to froth this foam to use as a foam topper for hot or iced coffee, but you can easily blend it right into your coffee, coffee shake, or smoothie for some seriously creamy, and tasty sips!
MitoCreamer
Then, we have also formulated a powerfully healthy creamer option for you to use in your daily brew.
MitoCreamer is a health enhanced coffee creamer designed to give you instant, all day, energy (from MCT oil) by fueling your mitochondria, the energy centers of your body.
Overall, it provides you with 50+ health benefits, including boosted brain function, better energy, healthy hair, skin, and nails, improved metabolism, boosted immune function, and more.
Each of these benefits are brought about by powerful ingredients such as a variety of collagen types (grass-fed bovine, free-range chicken, wild caught fish, and eggshell membrane).
It also contains L Tryptophan as well as RhodioPrime, an ultra powerful adaptogen that aids in stress response modulation, mood regulation, appetite management, and relief from mental fatigue.
Just one scoop in your daily brew transforms your ordinary mug to a magnificent-tasting, mitochondria-boosting masterpiece!
In other words, while oat milk has proven to be a tasty, healthy, texturally pleasing dairy milk alternative, these coffee add-in options are another powerfully healthy way to boost your brew!
Check out Lifeboost Coffee Soyabella® Automatic Nut & Seed Milk Maker.
"Medical Disclaimer
This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program."
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