When we think about our diet, it’s common to focus on the physical health benefits of what we eat and drink. However, it’s important to remember that our dietary choices also significantly influence our emotional and mental well-being. At Natura, we believe that all our plant-based oat, almond, soy and rice milks offer more than just nutritional benefits. Our beverages can also play a role in improving our well-being. Whether it’s their direct health benefits or the peace of mind that comes from making choices that respect the environment, we think each of them contributes to overall health.

Gut-Brain Connection: How Beta-Glucans From Oat Milk Can Help Improve Your Gut and Mental Health

The increasing recognition of the relationship between our digestive health and emotional well being is shedding light on the significance of the gut brain axis. Oats, which are a key ingredient in Natura oat milk, play a central role in this connection. One of the essential components of oats is beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that can help nourish and balance your gut microbiome, which, according to research, can have direct benefits on mental health.¹ In other words, it helps balance the “healthy” and “unhealthy” bacteria in your gut microbiome.

When there is an imbalance in gut bacteria, called dysbiosis, it can lead to immune responses and inflammation that may impact mental health. While diet alone does not determine emotional well-being, it does play a role. By using organic, gluten free Canadianoats in our oat milk production process, we prioritize not only nutrition but also support mental well being by minimizing negative effects associated with processed ingredients.²

Oat Milk’s Beta-Glucans: Balancing Mood with Blood Sugar Regulation

The beta-glucan fibers in our oat milk also help regulate blood sugar levels³, a factor closely linked to managing mood swings and reducing irritability⁴. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is essential to avoid mood swings, and the beta-glucans in oats are particularly effective in this regard. Thus, including Natura oat milk in your diet is not only nutritionally beneficial, but can also be helpful if you’re prone to mood swings.

Building on this understanding of how our diet influences blood sugar levels, gut health, and mood, we at Natura are deeply committed to using healthy ingredients. When you pick up a carton of Natura oat milk (or any of our plant-based milks), you’ll notice that the list of ingredients is short, but packed with benefits. Our beverages are not only crafted with healthy ingredients and enriched with essential vitamins but are also designed to be free from excess sugars that could exacerbate mood fluctuations and other mental health issues.

Now, we’re not claiming that your morning glass of oat milk will prevent depression. We fully acknowledge the essential role of mental health professionals in the treatment of mental illness. However, we do believe that our plant milks can contribute to your overall well-being.  There’s growing evidence showing that oats, a key ingredient in our milk, can support gut health, which in turn supports a healthy mind.

Adopting Eco-Friendly Practices (Like Buying Plant-Based Milks) Can Make You Happier

Studies show that adopting environmentally-friendly practices not only benefits the planet, but also contributes to our emotional well-being.⁵ Take, for example, choosing plant milk over cow’s milk when you go grocery shopping. This option is more respectful of the environment because, compared to cow’s milk production, plant milk production consumes fewer resources such as water and generates fewer greenhouse gas emissions. The awareness of making a positive contribution to protecting the planet through choices such as these can bring a profound sense of peace and personal satisfaction.

Ethical Considerations and Emotional Well being

Many people opt for plant-based milks not only for environmental considerations, but also because of ethical concerns. By avoiding products derived from animal exploitation, they respect their commitment to animal welfare. This choice, in harmony with their moral values, contributes to their sense of integrity and emotional well-being. This correlation is supported by a study showing that people who live a lifestyle based on rigorous moral principles are generally less likely to suffer from depression.⁶

Final Thoughts

One of the advantages of our plant-based beverages is that they can be easily integrated into your daily routine. Plant-based milks can replace cow’s milk wherever it is traditionally used, including in soups and other recipes, smoothies, milkshakes, cereals, baking, as well as in coffee, such as lattes and cappuccinos. Instead of using cow’s milk in your morning coffee, try our oat or almond milk. You’ll find that these small adjustments can help you maintain your emotional balance.

To wrap things up, we can see that plant milks are much more than a dietary trend focused on physical health, they are also an effective means of promoting emotional well-being. As such, by choosing Natura plant-based milks, you’re doing more than just nourishing your body; you’re also taking care of your emotional and mental health, showing respect for the environment, and living in alignment with your ethical beliefs.

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References

1. Clapp M, Aurora N, Herrera L, Bhatia M, Wilen E, Wakefield S. Gut microbiota’s effect on mental health: The gut-brain axis. Clin Pract. 2017;7(4):987. Published 2017 Sep 15. doi:10.4081/cp.2017.987
2. Hecht EM, Rabil A, Martinez Steele E, et al. Cross-sectional examination of ultra-processed food consumption and adverse mental health symptoms. Public Health Nutr. 2022;25(11):3225-3234. doi:10.1017/S1368980022001586
3. Chen J, Raymond K. Beta-glucans in the treatment of diabetes and associated cardiovascular risks. Vasc Health Risk Manag. 2008;4(6):1265-1272. doi:10.2147/vhrm.s3803
4. Penckofer S, Quinn L, Byrn M, Ferrans C, Miller M, Strange P. Does glycemic variability impact mood and quality of life?. Diabetes Technol Ther. 2012;14(4):303-310. doi:10.1089/dia.2011.0191
5. Thilo K. G. Haverkamp, Heinz Welsch, et Andreas Ziegler, ‘The Relationship between Pro-environmental Behavior, Economic Preferences, and Life Satisfaction: Empirical Evidence from Germany’, MAGKS Papers on Economics (Philipps-Universität Marburg, Faculty of Business Administration and Economics, Department of Economics (Volkswirtschaftliche Abteilung), 2022)
   https://ideas.repec.org/p/mar/magkse/202204.html
6. Weziak-Bialowolska, D., Lee, M.T., Bialowolski, P. et al. Prospective associations between strengths of moral character and health: longitudinal evidence from survey and insurance claims data. Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol 58, 163–176 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-022-02344-5