Is Cow’s Milk Good or Bad for Your Health?

“Got milk?” and “Make mine milk”. We’re sure you’ve heard one of these slogans before, but should you really take them to heart? Today, many people are speaking out against cow’s milk and saying it’s the cause of a variety of healthy problems. With digestive problems, allergies and rheumatism, it continues to add issues to the debate, so you might not know if it’s a beverage that’s good for your health or if you just need to stop drinking it. The FizzUp trainer investigates to help you put your doubts to rest.

Cow’s milk is a good source of protein

Humans are still the only mammal to consume milk from another mammal. Why? Because our evolution no longer lets us provide our offspring with our own milk over the long term. That’s where cows come in.

Besides this, cow’s milk is an excellent source of minerals such as magnesium, zinc, potassium, as well as vitamins A, B, K and D. These vitamins are vital for healthy body function. It’s easy to quickly suffer from a vitamin deficiency in the winter because your body synthesizes it with sunlight, which becomes rare at this time of the year. Without vitamin D, the small intestine can’t absorb calcium properly.

Dairy products are also a significant source of protein. A glass of milk gives you 9 g of protein, e.g. more than two slices of turkey breast, which barely contain 8 g.

Drinking large amounts of cow’s milk doesn’t reduce the risk of osteoporosis

Health professionals recommend that adults consume two servings of dairy products a day, or even three for people over 50, because of the large amounts of calcium they contain, a fluorite that’s essential for keeping your bones strong. A glass of cow’s milk (250 ml) gives you 302 mg, knowing that the daily intake for a woman is 1000 mg. But there’s a catch… Many studies conducted at Harvard University suggest that drinking large amounts of milk that’s high in calcium doesn’t reduce your risk of osteoporosis. One of its studies showed that those who drink one glass of milk a week were no more likely to break a limb than those who drank two to three a week. Another myth bites the dust. What’s more, by crossing different studies, researchers haven’t been able to prove that there’s a link between a lack of calcium and broken bones. For example, Asian populations that don’t drink milk aren’t more prone to osteoporosis.

Milk may be the cause of certain illnesses. Consuming too many dairy products could cause eczema because of phosphorus, which is found in large quantities in cow’s milk.

You won’t risk a calcium “deficiency” if you reduce your intake of dairy products, since many vegetables contain it, especially green vegetables. Your body better absorbs plant-based calcium. Try replacing cow’s milk with almond milk that has a very mild taste and is sometimes enriched with calcium and magnesium, soy milk high in protein and fiber or oat, rice, millet or chestnut milk. Your options are endless!

Intestinal imbalance is responsible for an adverse reaction to milk

If you think your body is unable to tolerate milk, that’s probably because of an intestinal imbalance. Also known as intestinal hyperpermeability, this imbalance causes a negative immune reaction to animal protein, like the kind found in cow’s milk. This only occurs if you have a genetic predisposition or if your gut bacteria are disturbed. For instance, if you continue to experience discomfort, drink goat or sheep’s milk instead, which have much fewer complex proteins. Otherwise, you don’t have to avoid dairy products if you don’t have a real reason to. Talk to your doctor to make the best decision for your health.

Lactose intolerance is another possible reaction. Cow’s milk contains lactose, which is digested by an enzyme called lactase. Lactase activity decreases with age. That’s why adults are more prone to digestive problems than children, without being intolerant. This depends on your lifestyle and culture.

You don’t have to cut cow’s milk out of your diet completely; just vary your sources of calcium and the types of dairy products you consume to keep your gut bacteria balanced. You can also enjoy the benefits of milk when you eat yogurt and cheese. Now it’s easier than ever for you to take a closer look at the dairy products you consume thanks to the FizzUp trainer.