Cow's Milk; Healthy choice?
- Becky Mugeto
- Jan 12, 2022
- 3 min read
Milk. It rarely lacks in our kitchen. Unless, like me, you're slightly allergic to it and the only time you ever buy milk is when someone visits, you're craving it or you just want to bake something that involves milk.
This opaque white fluid is rich in fat and protein and is important in the growth of its young ones. Yes, calves. But that isn’t always the case when it comes to human beings consuming milk.
Don’t get me wrong though, I’m not discouraging any of you from buying/consuming milk. This article is meant to shed some light on how this drink most of you love can affect your health. Then you can decide for yourself.
Milk is the primary source of nutrition for infant mammals before they can digest food. Early lactation milk contains colostrum, which carries the mother's antibodies to its young and prevents the risk of many diseases. Cow's milk is made for calves and not for babies and grownups.
Well, you may argue out that for years people have been consuming milk without any side effects. In fact, some people drink milk directly from the cow without boiling first and they are doing just fine if not better than those who don’t take milk.
Why is cow’s milk becoming a problem?
Cow’s milk contains enormous amounts of proteins and hormones that are not only unnecessary but also unhealthy for human consumption. These hormones occur naturally and are present even in organically produced milk. As if that’s not enough,
Fun fact: Humans are the only species that drinks the breast milk of another species and the only known species that continues to drink breast milk into adulthood.
Milk and Human Health
Do you know what's perfect for human babies? Human breast milk. The same goes for calves and cow milk. Even organically produced milk (milk produced by cows not treated with antibiotics and hormones, either for reproduction or growth - and fed at least 30% of its diet on pasture) has the naturally occurring hormones.
Here are some other reasons why milk may be unhealthy for you:-
Acne. Research has shown that there is a connection between milk and acne.
Contaminants.
Hormones and cancer
Gass and bloating
Fat & cholesterol. Many dairy products tend to be high in saturated fats and cholesterol, which have been linked to heart disease. A serving of milk can contain as much as 4mg of heart-harming cholesterol. That is more than 20% of the recommended daily allowance of saturated fat.
High in protein. We have grown believing we gain a lot of calcium from drinking milk. However, despite it being high in calcium and protein, it robs our bones of calcium. I know, I know... let me explain.
Excess protein in our diet can cause calcium to leach out of our bones. How is this so, you may ask? Animal protein produces acid when broken down. It then needs a neutralizer to flush out acids. What better neutralizer than the calcium found in the milk we consume and from our stores.
Do you see how this goes? You take milk that is supposedly wholesome and healthy since it has a lot of calcium and protein. The proteins are broken down and produce too much acid. Calcium from the milk and our bones is used to neutralize that acid.
Calcium retention is as important in preventing osteoporosis as is its consumption. If you aren't keeping any of the calcium you're taking then what good is it?
Okay, you probably may or may not know what this osteoporosis refers to so a simple definition is that it is a medical condition in which bones become brittle and fragile from loss of tissue, typically as a result of hormonal changes or deficiency in calcium or vitamin D.
Therefore, avoiding habits such as smoking, taking too much caffeine, physical inactivity, and reducing your sodium intake amount can help in calcium retainment.
In conclusion
Healthy choices are personal choices that each individual makes. This article is meant to enlighten you.
*Information provided is based on my research and personal experience.*
Here are links to more articles on the effects of milk:-
- Acne: https://www.healthline.com/health/dairy-and-acne
Comments