The importance of the ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3s and omega-6s are two types of polyunsaturated fats. Both are required for the body to function, but they have opposite effects when it comes to the inflammatory response and cardiovascular health. Most modern diets are too high in omega-6 and too low in omega-3, often in the range of 15+ parts of omega-6 for every 1 part of omega-3.1
A ratio of omega-6:omega-3 fatty acids of 4:1 has been associated with a 70% decrease in total mortality,1 and with decreased ratios between 2:1 to 5:1 also have been associated with lower risks of common diseases.1 Importantly, these studies indicate that the optimal ratio may vary with the disease under consideration, but all ratios are lower than what is common in Western diets.
The body metabolizes common omega-3 fatty acids ALA and EPA into DHA at a rate of roughly 4%.2 So to achieve, for example, a 2:1 ratio of omega-6:omega-3 using DHA, the ratio of omega-6:DHA should be roughly 50:1 (2:1 omega-6:omega-3 ratio, where omega-3 is converted to DHA at 4% = 2/(4%), or 50:1).
Ripple contains 8mg DHA omega-3 and 350mg of omega-6 fatty acid in each serving of Ripple plant-based Half & Half. We have chosen those amounts based on scientific evidence. However, these studies have not been validated by the FDA for specific health claims, so Ripple makes no claim of a specific health benefit from our decision to use these ratios of fats in our plant-based Half & Half.
1 Simopoulus A.P., Biomed Pharmacother. 2002 Oct;56(8):365-79
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12442909
2 Gerster H., Int J Vitam Nutr Res. 1998;68(3):159-73
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9637947
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The Ripple Effect
Ripple is built on the truth that even the smallest actions can have far reaching impacts.
When you choose Ripple, you are creating positive impacts that ripple through our world. As a Certified B corp, we are dedicated to building our business as a force for good. These are some of the real-time impacts of Ripple to date... or as we like to call it, the Ripple Effect.
Ripple vs. Dairy Milk1
Carbon Saved
lbs
Pounds less carbon used to produce Ripple milk2
Pounds less carbon used to produce Ripple milk2
Less Sugar Consumed
lbs
Pounds less sugar in Ripple milk3
Pounds less sugar in Ripple milk3
Ripple vs. Almond Milk4
Water Saved
gal
Gallons less water used to produce Ripple milk2
Gallons less water used to produce Ripple milk2
Protein Added
lbs
Pounds more protein in Ripple milk5
Pounds more protein in Ripple milk5
1 Comparisons based on the same volume of all varieties of Ripple milk sold vs. the same volume of all varieties of dairy milk 2Comparisons based on the water used to get the same amount of protein from Ripple and almond milk. LifeCycle Assessment of Non-Dairy Milk, 2022 3 The weighted average of sugar across all varieties of milk is 13g in 1 cup vs. the weighted average of sugar across all varieties of Ripple milk is 7g in 1 cup. Milk sugar data from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Legacy Release, April 2018. Milk consumption data from USDA 4 Comparisons based on the same volume of all varieties of Ripple milk sold vs. the same volume of almond milk 5 1 cup of almond milk contains 1g protein v. 1 cup Ripple milk contains 8g protein. Almond milk data from USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Legacy Release, April 2018
