Derived from flaxseeds, flax milk is rich in omega-3s, according to experts at Parade. Because of this, flax milk is purported to support our cardiovascular health. In 1 cup of flax milk, the USDA reports that you’ll find 300 milligrams (mg) of calcium, 149 milligrams of phosphorus, and 2% of your total daily value of iron. What you won’t find, however, is one iota of protein. Zip, zero, none.
That being said, you can find protein in some flax milk products if manufacturers add it in. “[S]ome brands of flax milk contain additional protein with pea protein or add in extra vitamins and minerals like calcium or vitamin D,” registered dietitian Mackenzie Burgess tells Parade. As a high-quality, plant-based protein, pea protein is exactly what it sounds like: protein that has been extracted from pisum sativum, or green peas, according to 2022 research published in the scientific journal Molecules. Pea protein consumption has been linked with a lower risk of diabetes, heart disease, and cancer due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.