11 Serious Side Effects Of Almond Milk

Learn everything about the not-so-good effects of almond milk on your health.

Medically reviewed by Sarah Spann, Adv Dip (Nut Med), mATMS
Written by Tanya Choudhary, B.Desgn, ISSA Certified Specialist In Fitness & Nutrition
Edited by Ravi Teja Tadimalla, BSc, Professional Certificate in Food, Nutrition and Health
Fact-checked by Moksha Gandhi, BPharm, Certified Health & Wellness Coach  • 

Almond milk makes for a nutritious and vegan alternative to regular animal milk. While it offers various health benefits when consumed regularly, there are also certain side effects of almond milk you need to be aware of! Rich in proteins, vitamins, calcium, and important minerals, almond milk can help you improve your overall immunity and health. However, there are certain things you should keep in mind before consuming almond milk. In this article, we learn if this vegan nut milk is good for everyone, and how you can avoid any possible risks and side effects of almond milk!

protip_icon Know The Flip Side: Almond Milk

Short-Term Effects
Nut allergies and skin reactions due to them, abdominal issues, cold-like symptoms, and high sugar levels.

Long-Term Effects
Thyroid gland enlargement, nutritional deficiency in children, digestive problems, and respiratory issues.

Drug Interactions
None.

When To See A Doctor
In case of digestive issues such as diarrhea, wheezing and troubled breathing, severe deficiency, swollen thyroid gland, and skin irritation.

Side Effects Of Almond Milk

Understanding almond milk side effects will let you know why you shouldn’t drink it alone as a substitute for regular milk.

1. Nut Allergies

Almond milk cause nut allergies
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Almonds are a part of the list of the most popular allergic nuts; hence, consumption of almond milk by anyone with nut allergies can lead to swelling in the facial region, anaphylaxis, nausea or diarrhea (1).


protip_icon Did You Know?
Almonds are the third most common tree nut to cause multiple allergic reactions after walnuts and cashew in the United States of America (8).

2. Effects On Thyroid Gland

Almond is a goitrogenic food, which means that it contains substances that can affect the thyroid gland. It can affect the iodine assimilation by the gland and thus lead to the enlargement of this gland (2). A counter view is that consuming almond milk can boost one’s immunity power. However, in the light of this side effect, one might be forced to think otherwise as it can easily lead to thyroid dysfunction.

3. High Sugar Levels

Almond milk may spike blood glucose levels
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Almond milk contains sugar which does not make up for nutrient deficiencies and can lead to harmful effects on one’s health, such as weight gain, if consumed in excess.

4. Childhood Issues

Many people think that almond milk can ensure the healthy development of a baby and thus feed it to them. However, it has been found that the consumption of almond milk might not display any impact on their health in the beginning but could lead to complications in the later run (3).

5. Milk Allergies

Almond milk causes milk allergies
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People who are allergic to lactose can also have side effects of almond milk if consumed in excess. Such people can have allergic reactions after consuming almond milk and hence, avoid having it completely.

6. Skin Reactions

Consuming almond milk can lead to skin rash and reactions like itching, eczema and hives. These reactions mostly appear within 10 minutes to 1 hour of having consumed the flavored milk.

7. Abdominal Issues

A woman struggling with abdominal issues due to almond milk
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People who are allergic to almond milk might have to face abdominal cramps as it could become difficult for them to digest this milk (4).

8. Breathing And Respiration Issues

The side effects of almond milk include breathing and respiration issues, such as wheezing and breathing difficulties. This could be more frequently seen in the cases of people who are asthmatic or have any other issues with their breathing (5).

9. Digestive Troubles

The people who are unable to digest almond flavored milk could have allergic symptoms like diarrhea or vomiting. Jesse Feder, Clinical Dietitian at the Memorial Regional Hospital South, says, “Almond milk will most likely not cause bloating or gas when consumed.”

He adds, “However some people may be intolerant to the typical preservatives or thickeners in almond milk. Specifically, the thickener carrageenani  XA naturally-occurring thickening agent found in red seaweed that is used by manufacturers but may harm the digestive system. has been known to cause intestinal bloating and gas when consumed.”

protip_icon Quick Tip
Commercial almond milk contains carrageenan as a stabilizer and thickening agent that can cause stomach cramps and other issues. It is recommended to read the label before buying almond milk.

10. Cold-Like Symptoms

Almond milk cause cold
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Almond milk allergies could also lead one to face symptoms like runny nose, wheezing combined with breathing troubles. These are more prominent in people who have nut allergies; but could also be due to any other allergies as well. So, if one has any such allergy already, almond milk should be consumed carefully.

11. May Increase Risk Of Kidney Stones

Almond milk is a popular dairy-free alternative, but its impact on the kidneys is worth noting. Almonds contain oxalates, which are naturally occurring compounds that can contribute to kidney stone formation when consumed in excess (6).

Almond milk may contain some oxalates, although in lower concentrations compared to almond nuts themselves. However, compared to other plant-based milk alternatives, it has the highest oxalate concentration (7). Thus, if you have a history of kidney stones or concerns about your kidney health, it is recommended to consult a healthcare professional who can provide personalized dietary recommendations to prevent any potential risk while enjoying the benefits of almond milk.

A delicious drink like almond milk, on the face of it, appears safe and healthy. However, the above listed points tell a different story! So, it is important that one consumes almond milk with caution and sparingly, not making it a part of our daily diet without consulting your doctor. Following this can permit one to enjoy it and even keep almond milk effects at bay.

Infographic: Major Side Effects Of Almond Milk

Almond milk is the most popular plant milk with several healthy nutrients. It is also the best vegan alternative to regular milk. But it can cause some adverse reactions due to excessive consumption. You must remember its negative effects before you inject too much of it.

Check out the infographic below to learn about the major side effects of almond milk.

major side effects of almond milk (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

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Almond milk is a great vegan, lactose-free, and nutritious alternative to whole cow milk, but it does come with its own set of disadvantages. It can cause some adverse effects if overconsumed. The side effects of almond milk range from respiratory problems to an increased risk of thyroid problems. Furthermore, it may cause digestive troubles, cold-like symptoms, or skin reactions. Due to its affiliation with tree nuts, almond milk may cause allergic reactions in individuals who are sensitive to nuts. Such individuals should show caution and avoid drinking this beverage. So is almond milk bad for you completely? The answer is – no! Limiting or avoiding its consumption can prevent these possible unwanted effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can almond milk flare up IBS?

Almond milk will most likely not flare up any IBS symptoms. However, if the almond milk you have is sweetened and has thickeners/preservatives, you are more likely to experience an IBS flare-up.
Jesse Feder suggests having almond milk with limited ingredients, preferably almonds, filtered water, and added vitamins. He adds, “I treat clients with IBS, and they have had flare-ups from certain almond milk with these added thickeners/preservatives. After they switched to almond milk without them, they have told me they have yet to experience any IBS flare-ups from their almond milk.”

Does almond milk make your breasts bigger?

Almond milk doesn’t make your breasts bigger. While it contains estrogeni  XA hormone released in a woman's body that regulates her menstrual cycle and contributes to the growth of pubic, armpit, and breast hair. which helps rebalance hormones as women approach menopause, due to which they experience hormonal imbalance, it has little impact on the body compared to the naturally produced estrogeni  XA hormone released in a woman's body that regulates her menstrual cycle and contributes to the growth of pubic, armpit, and breast hair. hormone.

Does almond milk reduce testosterone?

The intake of almonds may boost sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), which binds to testosterone and reduces testosterone levels in the body (8), (9).

Key Takeaways

  • Almond milk can cause respiratory and thyroid problems.
  • Those who have nut allergies or other food allergies should be careful while consuming almond milk.
  • Excess sugar consumption through almond milk can lead to health problems.
  • In order to avoid digestion issues from almond milk, it should be consumed carefully and sparingly.
side effects of almond milk

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Discover the 6 shocking side effects of almond milk you never knew about. Learn how this popular milk alternative can affect your health. Scroll down to learn more.

References

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Read our editorial policy to learn more.

  1. Almond Allergens: Molecular Characterization, Detection, and Clinical Relevance
    https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/jf2044923
  2. Effects of the Environment Chemicals and Drugs on Thyroid Function
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK285560/
  3. The nutritional limitations of plant-based beverages in infancy and childhood
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29130721/
  4. “Dairy-Free” Dietary Substitute, Abdominal Pain, and Weight Loss
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/291347385_Dairy-Free_Dietary_Substitute_Abdominal_Pain_and_Weight_Loss
  5. Prevalence of food intolerance in bronchial asthma in India
    https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320371909_Prevalence_of_food_intolerance_in_bronchial_asthma_in_India
  6. Differential effects of walnuts vs almonds on improving metabolic and endocrine parameters in PCOS
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21157477/
  7. Oxalate Content and Antioxidant Activity of Different Ethnic Foods
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32709427/
  8. Plant-Based Milk Alternatives and Risk Factors for Kidney Stones and Chronic Kidney Disease
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8611107/
  9. Sex hormone binding globulin: origin function and clinical significance
    https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2080856/
  10. Almond Allergy: An Overview on Prevalence Thresholds Regulations and Allergen Detection
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6266711/
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