Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42046320›Full record

ArticleJournal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association2026

Understanding the Motivations, Perceptions and Nutritional Implications of Plant-Based Milk Consumption Compared to Dairy-Based Milk.

Isobel Harmer, Joel C Craddock, Anita Lawrence, Tracy McCaffery, Katherine Kent, Karen E Charlton

Abstract readComparative Study
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of human nutrition and dietetics : the official journal of the British Dietetic Association, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Isobel HarmerSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9757-1821
Joel C CraddockSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5290-3952
Anita LawrenceSchool of Agriculture, Food and Ecosystem Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0534-3072
Tracy McCafferyDepartment of Nutrition, Dietetics and Food, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Katherine KentSchool of Health Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5330-7044
Karen E CharltonSchool of Medical, Indigenous and Health Sciences, Faculty of Science, Medicine and Health, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8044-444X

Funding

Australian Research Council Future Fellowship FT220100178
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPlant-based milks have been increasing in popularity amongst Australian consumers, concurrent with a decrease in cow's milk consumption. Given the key role of cow's milk in Australian diets, it is necessary to understand the motivations behind this consumer behaviour and investigate the nutritional implications associated with this shift in dietary choice. METHODOLOGY: Adults, including both omnivores and purposefully targeted vegan individuals, were recruited via social media to complete an online survey and two 24-h dietary recalls using the online Intake24 dietary assessment programme. The survey explored milk type choice and participant perceptions of the health and environmental impact of plant-based milks. Respondents were divided into groups based on whether they reported to consume or not consume dairy products in the survey. Survey and dietary intake data were then compared between these two groups.

resultsOf the 217 survey responses received (n = 74 dairy and n = 143 non-dairy consumers), soy, almond and oat plant-based milks were the most popular choices. The primary drivers behind milk type choice were animal rights, self-reported adverse health symptoms and environmental concerns. Additionally, non-dairy consumers were more likely to perceive these products as healthier and better for the environment than cow's milk. Dietary intake data identified that overall non-dairy consumers had significantly lower intakes of saturated fat, iodine and vitamin B12 (14.9 vs. 21.9 g/day; p = 0.001, 70.8 vs. 128.8 μg/day; p < 0.001 and 0.9 vs. 3.0 μg/day; p < 0.001, respectively) and higher amounts of dietary fibre (27.2 vs. 21.3 g/day; p = 0.008) compared to dairy consumers.

conclusionThis study provides novel insights into the motivations to consume, and perceptions of the healthfulness, plant-based milk in Australia and identified that non-dairy consumers may be at increased risk of iodine and vitamin B12 deficiency.

Indexed as

DietFood PreferencesMilkMotivationPlant-based MilkAdultAnimalsAustraliaChoice BehaviorDiet, Plant-BasedFemaleHumansMaleMiddle AgedNutritive ValueSurveys and Questionnairescow's milknutritional adequacyperceptionsplant‐based milkvegetarian‐style eating

Identifiers

PMID42046320
PMCPMC13121926

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
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Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.