Side Effects Of Non-Dairy Creamers

Non-Dairy or Dairy-Free Coffee creamers are a saving grace for most people who love to sip on their extra creamy morning joe, but have you ever wondered about the side effects or adverse effects that may be due to its prolonged consumption? 

Coffee creamers are a great non-dairy alternative for most people who avoid dairy-based products due to health conditions like lactose intolerance or certain lifestyle choices. 

Whether you avoid consuming dairy due to certain dietary sensitivities or you’ve just embarked on a vegan journey, Coffee creamers like Coffee-mate are always there to add that extra ever-so-desired creaminess to your morning joe. 

Non-Dairy Coffee creamers are not only limited to being used as a coffee additive, but these creamy mixtures are also great for tea, hot, chocolate, and even smoothies. 

However, these creamy white concoctions might integrate some harmful additives like emulsifiers, artificial flavors, sweeteners, thickeners, and copious amounts of sugars to substitute for the taste of naturally sourced dairy-based creamers. 

According to some studies, prolonged consumption of non-dairy coffee creamers can have negative effects on your health especially when you are trying to lose a couple of extra pounds. 

If you are someone who cannot resist adding a splash of thick, decadent, and delicious Non-Dairy Coffee creamer to your morning java but are worried about its effects on your health, do not panic. 

Here is all you need to know about Non-Dairy Coffee creamers to learn about their side effects on your health.

What do Non-Dairy Creamers Incorporate?

Non-dairy coffee creamers are a great alternative to common dairy-based coffee creamers as they do not contain any form of dairy in the formula making them suitable for people who are vegan or lactose intolerant. 

However, these non-dairy coffee creamers should not be confused with lactose-free creamers as lactose-free creamers still incorporate some amount of dairy. 

Non-Dairy coffee creamers are also different from dairy-free coffee creamers, as some Non-Dairy coffee creamer brands incorporate certain additives that are partially dairy-based to effectively substitute the taste and appearance of milk.  

Most Powder Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers come in the form of white flakes that are water-soluble and may be solid with a strong hygroscopicity.
These powder Non-Dairy coffee creamers often contain insoluble acetone or diethyl ether, alcohol, and glycerine. 

Liquid Non-Dairy coffee creamers like Coffee-Mate incorporate hydrogenated vegetable oils, corn syrup solids, and sodium caseinate. 

Sodium caseinate is a milk-derivative casein that is non-dairy in nature as it does not contain lactose. 

These creamers also integrate dipotassium phosphate, emulsifiers, artificial flavors, monoglycerides, diglycerides, sodium aluminosilicate, artificial coloring, and anti-caking agents.

Why should you avoid Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers?

Non-Dairy coffee creamers are a common coffee additive for individuals who avoid adding dairy to add extra creaminess and thickness to their coffee.

These creamy coffee creamers might be laden with copious amounts of sugars, additives, and calories that might do more harm to your body than you may think. 

If you are still confused about whether or not you should add coffee creamer to your morning java, here is a list of some of the reasons why you should avoid adding Non-Dairy Coffee creamers:

1. Excess Calories:

Excess calories can be a major cause for concern for people who are on a weight loss journey. 

Most Non-Dairy Coffee creamers are laden with copious amounts of sugars, calories, and artificial sweeteners that may hinder your weight loss process. 

While a cup of freshly brewed black coffee has close to no calories and nonfat milk only contains 5 calories, non-dairy coffee creamers contain about 10 to 15 calories. 

Furthermore, these artificial sweeteners and excess calories often make Non-Dairy creamers unsuitable for people with diabetes.

2. Harmful Ingredients:

In addition to sodium caseinate, corn syrup, and sugars Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers also incorporate a wide list of other unpronounceable ingredients that compensate for the taste, consistency, and appearance of milk. 

These ingredients can pose serious harm to one’s health when consumed for prolonged periods of time, hence it is best to read the content table vigilantly. 

Here are some ingredients to look for when purchasing Non-Dairy Coffee Creamers:

  • Natural flavors: Natural Flavors in most Non-Dairy Coffee creamers are often made from MSG which can trigger allergic reactions in many people. 
  • Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate: also known as SSL is often used in Non-dairy coffee creamers as a fat replacement but is also used in cleansing products as a foaming agent. 
    Prolonged Consumption of Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate can lead to an increase in the levels of sodium. 
  • Dipotassium Phosphate: used in Non-Dairy Creamers as a stabilizer or an anti-coagulant. 
    However, this chemical ingredient is also found in chemical fertilizers upon regular consumption can cause severe kidney problems.

3. Trans Fats:

Some non-dairy creamer brands also integrate trans fats and even saturated fats to achieve a thicker consistency. 

However, Trans fats and saturated fats can lead to a rise in the levels of HDL or high-density lipoproteins which can be detrimental to people with high cholesterol. 

4. Might not be Dairy-Free:

While most non-dairy coffee creamers do not contain any form of lactose, they do contain sodium caseinate which is a dairy-based milk-derived protein. 

Consuming sodium caseinate may cause severe allergic reactions in people who have sensitivity to milk or other dairy products.

5. Can go bad sooner than you think:

We all know that non-dairy creamers have a longer shelf life when compared to dairy-based creamers. 

Both liquid and powder-based Non-Dairy Creamers can expire or go bad and must be discarded when you experience a change in appearance, texture, odor, and flavor.

What are the Possible Side Effects of Non-Dairy Creamers?

Several ingredients in Non-Dairy coffee creamers can trigger severe allergic reactions in individuals with food sensitivities. 

Here are some side effect symptoms to look for if you consume Non-Dairy creamers on a regular basis:

  • Nausea
  • Headaches
  • Inflammation 
  • Spike in blood sugar levels
  • Dizziness
  • Vomiting

So, Are There Healthier Alternatives to Non-Dairy Creamers?

As a matter of fact yes, there is a myriad of healthy alternatives to non-dairy creamers that will provide your coffee with a similar taste and consistency. 

Healthier dairy-free, vegan, sugar-free, zero-calorie, keto-friendly, weight loss-friendly, intermittent fasting, low-cholesterol, and even organic creamers alternatives are available in the market that can pair perfectly with your morning java.