In a world where everything seems to be bad for you, I was not shocked to learn that milk was also accused of being a harmful and unnecessary part of the adult diet. I was raised in a generation where milk went with breakfast, lunch and dinner. Milk was so delicious, clean and refreshing, and perfect served warm or cold. Not only did milk taste great with all types of foods including my personal favorite, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies, but it also made your bones stronger! Or did it?
In the article, “No Whey: What Milk Really Does To Your Bod”, author Tara Rasmus explores the truth about milk and how it effects the human body. According to the article, the primary purpose of cow’s milk is to fatten up calves. This is the case with all animals that produce milk for their young. This was specifically designed and produced for certain animals that have the enzymes to properly digest it.
According to Corinne Goff, R.D., L.D.N, over 75% of the human population cannot digest milk past the age of three because the lactose enzyme that is necessary in the deterioration process is no longer produced after infancy.
The lack of production of this enzyme explains why many people have problems digesting milk, which can result in bloating, cramps and diarrhea. For those of you that have no problem digesting milk or dairy, you are lucky and possibly have a genetic mutation that allows you to process these delicious goodies!
More serious problems related to the improper digestion can lead to health issues that can affect thecardiovascular system, skin and a variety of other areas of the body.
As a young child, I was told that drinking milk would make me grow and strengthen my bones.
Vivian Goldschmidt, nutritionist and founder of Save Our Bones, claims that milk can actually drain the calciumfrom our bones thus making them weaker and causing osteoporosis.
Vivian Goldschmidt, nutritionist and founder of Save Our Bones, claims that milk can actually drain the calciumfrom our bones thus making them weaker and causing osteoporosis.
How can milk weaken bones? Well, Goldschmidt says, “the high protein content of dairy products acidify the body’s pH, causing calcium to leach out of the bones to correct the pH imbalance, which weakens them.”
It is also important to be aware that since cows are often pumped with steroids, hormones and other harmful drugs to increase milk production their milk can be unhealthy for people to ingest.
Milk that is saturated in hormones has been linked to a variety of cancers including, breast, prostate and testes. Although organic or raw dairy products may be less harmful, dairy is really unnecessary to human development past infancy.
So, what now? Well for those that love everything dairy such as pizza, yogurt, cheese and milk, feel free to continue ingesting those products in moderation, meaning only a few times a week. Although, dairy is not necessary in the human diet, moderate amounts will not kill you! Phew!
For those of you that are swearing off milk products after reading this article, try eating sardines, green vegetables, and beans for their high calcium contents. Furthermore, to avoid using milk in your coffee try nut milks, such as soy and almond milk. Be aware of the additives in these milks and stay away from products that include carrageenan. [via Refinery 29]
Lovelies, what do you think about this article? Will you still drink milk? If not what is your favorite substitute?
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