A warning has been issued for anyone who drinks oat milk. Oat milk drinkers have been issued a warning over consuming the product – as alternatives are linked to the increased risk of significant health issue which could harm drinkers nationwide.
Scientists tracking more than 350,000 people found those choosing plant-based alternatives had a 14 per cent increased chance of experiencing depression. The study was conducted by researchers at Southern Medical University in Guangzhou, China.
And medics have revealed a striking contrast between different milk choices and mental health outcomes. Writing in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, the researchers explained: “Milk is a rich source of nutrients such as lactose, lipids, protein and minerals, which are essential for maintaining human health.”
READ MORE Foreign Office warns UK tourists face ‘arrest and detention without warrant’
Chinese researchers said semi-skimmed contains more good fats than skimmed milk but fewer bad fats than full-fat. Previous research has found ‘good fats’ may increase the production of serotonin — a hormone that can alter mood.
This, they theorised, means the milk could sit in a sweet spot where it improves mental health. The team highlighted the specific benefits of semi-skimmed milk’s composition. “The fatty acid profile of semi-skimmed milk might provide greater cerebral [brain] protection compared to full cream milk and skimmed milk, thereby potentially reducing the risk of both depression and anxiety,” they noted.
The scientists added: “These findings suggest that semi-skimmed milk may have a protective effect against these mental health conditions, presenting new prospects for dietary interventions.” Research has long shown that too much saturated fat in a diet may raise the risk of high cholesterol, strokes and heart disease.
It has also been shown to increase the risk of depression. One recent survey suggested around 600,000 people are now believed to be on a plant-based diet, while another in 2021 claimed almost a third of Brits used alternative milks.