Children who drink non-cow's milk - such as almond, soy, rice and goat's milk - could have lower blood levels of vitamin D compared to those who drink cow's milk, a new study has suggested.
Vitamin D is important for your health, as it helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body, which keep bones and teeth strong. A vitamin D deficiency in children can lead to bone deformities such as rickets.
In recent times, non-cow's milk has become increasingly popular due to its perceived health benefits - such as being low in fat and high in antioxidants - or because of lactose allergies. However, it is not clear as to whether or not it offers health advantages over cow's milk.
Researchers from St Michael's Hospital in Toronto, Canada, set out to investigate the relationship between non-cow's milk and the levels of vitamin D in children. They analysed the vitamin levels in 2,831 healthy children aged between one and six, who drank cow's milk or alternative milk drinks.
Of the participants, 85 per cent consumed cow's milk, 12 per cent drank non-cow's milk and three per cent had unknown milk consumptions.
It was found that children who drank non-cow's milk were twice as likely to have vitamin D levels below 50 nmol/L as those who only drank cow's milk.
According to the researchers, normal vitamin D blood levels are between 50 and 150 nmol/L or higher.
Commenting on their results, they said: 'Our findings may be helpful for healthcare providers caring for children who drink non-cow's milk beverages because of an allergy to cow's milk, lactose intolerance or a dietary preference.
'Education regarding nutrition labels is important to ensure that non-cow's milk products fortified with vitamin D are being chosen by parents and caregivers.'
The study has been published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal. View the abstract here