Is Oat Milk Really a Healthy Choice? 3 Reasons Why You Might Want to Think Twice

1. Oats are often heavily sprayed with glyphosate

Glyphosate is a chemical most commonly associated with RoundUp, which is used in agriculture as a potent weed killer. Glyphosate has been found to have many harmful effects on our health, including disrupting the gut microbiome, increasing the risk of cancer, and contributing to other chronic health problems. You can reduce risk of exposure by choosing organic products, although that does not necessarily ensure that there is no glyphosate in those products.

2. Oat milk is typically made with inflammatory oils

Oat milk is typically made using inflammatory vegetable oils such as rapeseed, canola or sunflower oil. These oils are used to create the smooth texture of oat milk, but should be avoided whenever possible. Inflammatory oils are often partially hydrogenated, increasing the level of trans fats, which have been linked to a variety of health problems.

3. Oat milk is loaded with high-glycemic sugar

The process of breaking down oats to make oat milk creates a sugar called maltose. Maltose is considered a high-glycemic sugar, which means it is rapidly digested and absorbed into the bloodstream, causing spike in energy followed by a crash. These sugars are also linked to mood swings, hunger pangs, and a range of additional negative health effects. 

For these reasons, oat milk may not be the best choice of milk alternatives. Instead, you may want to try almond or cashew milk next time you go to the grocery store or coffee shop!