Is corn milk the new superfood? We asked a nutritionist

Corn milk, an ancient Vietnamese drink (called "Sữa Bắp"), is back in fashion. Creators are crazy about it, and so is the market: in the United States, it's begun appearing on supermarket shelves, most likely in the wake of its success on social media.

On TikTok, there are hundreds of users who propose the recipe, each with a different nuance, using corn milk also as a base for making very popular drinks overseas, from matcha latte to dirty matcha coffee or simple coffee and iced milk.

How to prepare corn milk

Corn milk is actually very simple to make. Simply boil the corn kernels and, if desired, all the other parts of the cob that are normally discarded—from the husks to the filaments (or awns)—then blend and strain. Creators often add a little condensed milk to make it creamy. The result is always the same: a yellow drink (which also lends itself very well to the social media aesthetic), very versatile and easy to pair.

Corn milk for those with allergies and intolerances

But that's not all that's driving the popularity of corn milk: it's being marketed as an alternative to other plant-based drinks, particularly for those intolerant to and allergic to lactose and gluten, since corn is a grain that doesn't contain them (though, it's worth remembering, when buying commercially produced corn milk, it's best to check the ingredients list to make sure you're not taking any risks). Last but not least, in the United States, it's being marketed as a very healthy drink, particularly highlighting its fiber content.

What are the nutritional properties of corn milk?

"But be careful not to overdo it," says Ilenia Grieco, nutritionist and founder of the Private Nutrition method. "It's true that corn milk contains fiber and has many other nutritional properties: it also provides a small amount of protein and is rich in antioxidants such as carotenoids and polyphenols. However, it shouldn't be considered a superfood to be consumed indefinitely or as a substitute for cow's milk or other plant-based drinks because it is completely different."

Is corn milk suitable for diabetics?

Unlike other plant-based drinks, which are based on nuts or legumes, for example, corn milk is nothing more than a beverage made from a grain (which is corn, precisely). "It's rich in simple, rapidly absorbed sugars (like corn paste, ed.) and can cause blood sugar spikes that are dangerous for diabetics. Therefore, it's not recommended for those with diabetes or other metabolic disorders," says Dr. Grieco.

How to pair corn milk for a healthy breakfast

"Precisely because it's so rich in simple sugars, it's important to balance corn milk with other protein-rich foods and healthy fats. Examples? A glass of corn milk, eggs, and nuts; or corn milk, ricotta, and avocado: both are excellent breakfasts," suggests the nutritionist.

What is the best plant-based drink?

The best plant-based drink? "There's no single answer; it always depends on the beverage's composition, especially when it's a commercial product. It should be made up of at least 60% nuts, grains, legumes, or coconut, in the case of coconut drinks. Furthermore," Grieco concludes, "it shouldn't contain added sugars."