Milks Nutrients Trump its Impact on Climate

UPPSALA, SwedenAccording to an April 2010 FAO report, the dairy sector accounts for around four percent of all global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Global milk production alone accounts for 2.7 percent of global GHG. Based on these numbers, some have recommended switching from animal-based foods to plant-based foods as a means of cutting down on GHG emissions.

Results from a study published in Food & Nutrition Research indicate that, nutritionally, that might not be the best solution. A team of researchers from Sweden looked at the nutrient profiles of beverages in relation to emissions produced through the products lifecycles. The researchers used the Nutrient Density to Climate Impact (NDCI) index to determine Nordic Nutrition Recommendations for 21 nutrients. Milk has come out substantially higher than other beverages in an analysis that pits impact on climate against nutrient density," the researchers noted.

The NDCI was worked out for bottled carbonated water, soy drink, milk, soft drink, orange juice, beer, red wine and oat drink. Milk scored 0.54. In comparison, carbonated water, soft drink and beer all scored zero due to their low nutritional value, while the red wine and the oat drink scored below 0.1. Orange juice and soy drink scored 0.25 and 0.28, respectively.

 Future discussions on how changes in food consumption patterns might help avert climate change need to take both GHG emission and nutrient density of foods and beverages into account," concluded the researchers.