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Why Milk Is Good for Humans Too

Many claim that it's unnatural or even harmful for humans to drink animal milk. But that argument doesn't really hold up. Animals don't always stick to milk from their own species and cross-species feeding is actually quite common. Calves, for example, are often given goat's milk, which is also consumed by sheep, rabbits, and even monkeys. So such claims can be easily dismissed. Besides, milk contains many essential nutrients that support good health. Apart from possible ethical concerns, there's really nothing that speaks against it.

The Health Benefits of Milk

Calcium is an important nutrient for strong bones and is found in high amounts in dairy products. But milk offers more than just calcium. It also contains proteins, carbs, fats, and other key minerals like phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. On top of that, milk provides several vital vitamins: Vitamin B12 supports brain function and the production of red blood cells, while Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and phosphorus, making bones even stronger. Milk also has vitamins A and B6, plus antioxidants like Vitamin E that help protect your cells from damage. There are also bioactive compounds in milk, such as lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase, which have anti-inflammatory effects and help boost the immune system.

Milk Processing: How Heating Affects Nutrients

Milk undergoes specialized heat-treatment processes to neutralize bacteria and extend shelf life. Pasteurized milk is typically heated to temperatures ranging from 60 to 85 degrees Celsius to inactivate the majority of bacteria. In contrast, ultra-high-temperature (UHT) milk is heated to temperatures of approximately 135 to 150 degrees Celsius to nearly eliminate all microorganisms, thereby ensuring maximum shelf life.

Though the heating process can reduce some heat-sensitive vitamins such as Vitamin C and certain B vitamins, milk remains a rich source of essential nutrients like calcium, Vitamin D, and proteins. Various processing and preparation methods can affect the nutrient content of dairy products. For example, pasteurization can decrease the levels of B vitamins and folic acid, while the fermentation of products like yogurt can increase the concentration of certain vitamins and minerals.

Raw Milk: Myths, Benefits and Risks of Consumption

Raw milk, also known as unpasteurized milk, is milk that has not been heated to high temperatures to kill bacteria. Raw milk contains all the natural enzymes, nutrients, and bacteria that can be lost during pasteurization. Some people prefer the taste and texture of raw milk and believe it to be healthier than pasteurized milk.

However, consuming raw milk also carries risks as it can contain potentially harmful bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria, which can cause serious illnesses. In particular, for pregnant women, young children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, consuming raw milk can be dangerous.

Raw milk is often seen as healthier, but science doesn't support that claim over pasteurized milk. Some studies suggest that raw milk might potentially have a slightly higher nutrient density, but this difference is not significant. In addition, the benefits of raw milk may be outweighed by the risk of bacterial infections and illnesses.

Furthermore, many countries have laws and regulations that restrict or prohibit the sale of raw milk. If you want to buy or consume raw milk, you should be aware that you are taking the risk of food poisoning.

The Myth of Blood and Pus in Milk

It is often claimed that milk contains blood and pus. However, this is a myth. There are strict regulations for milk production and processing to ensure that milk is safe and health-promoting. Only raw milk carries a low risk of containing blood or pus since it has not been pasteurized or ultra-high-temperature treated. If a cow has blood or pus in its milk, the milk is discarded, and the cow is treated.

Why Milk Consumption Can Reduce the Risk of Osteoporosis

Osteoporosis is a disease in which bones lose density and strength, which can lead to an increased risk of fractures. It is often believed that milk increases the risk of osteoporosis because it is rich in calcium. However, the opposite is true.

A review of several studies found that milk consumption is associated with a lower likelihood of bone fractures and higher bone mineral density. Women who drink more than one cup of milk daily have a lower risk of hip fractures than women who drink less milk. There is also evidence that milk consumption in early life may help promote bone health later in life.

Milk and Cancer: What Research Says

There is no consistent evidence that milk increases or decreases the risk of cancer. Various epidemiological studies have shown different results. One of the most relevant studies, conducted on 8000 cases, found no significant association between milk consumption and cancer. Some studies even showed a possible reduction in the risk of colon cancer with increased milk consumption, while other studies showed a possible slight increase in the risk of prostate cancer with increased milk consumption.

Personally, I have concerns about epidemiological studies because the recording of milk consumption through questionnaires does not take into account the potential influence of other risk factors such as smoking, alcohol, and exercise on the results.

Overall, the currently available data show that milk consumption is not associated with an increased or decreased risk of cancer.

Closing Words

Milk is an important nutrient source that is crucial for the body's health. It is rich in calcium, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and other nutrients that contribute to bone health, immune system strengthening, and brain function. Although some claim that milk poses a health risk, there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.

Update Information:

Normally, blog posts are not edited retroactively. However, this blog post was available for a while as an updated article in the main directory until the year 2021. Due to low traffic and the fact that my main articles should contain the essential information for quick implementation in daily life, I decided to move it back into the blog.