Milk: A health drink but it can cause Cancer too..!

From childhood, we are taught that drinking milk provides all types of nutrients and makes bones strong due to its high calcium content. Doctors and nutritionists have also been advising the same. 

However, of late, there have been discussions - based on scientific research as well as beliefs - that drinking milk is not that good, and it could even be harmful for many.

Leaving aside the ethical and religious considerations against drinking milk, and also the likely contamination and adulteration in milk and dairy products, let us focus on the likely benefits and harms from drinking normal milk. 

Before jumping into the discussion, let me quickly refresh your knowledge about the constituents of milk. Milk contains sugar (called lactose), proteins (mostly casein), some minerals and vitamins. It also contains fat, which is mostly of saturated type. 

MILK IS GOOD, ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN

It is beyond doubt that milk contains proteins, fat, sugar and a number of minerals and vitamins - all of which are required by our bodies for proper growth and maintenance. Children, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, undernourished people, sportspeople, and recouping patients need more of such nutrients. So, logic dictates that all human beings, especially those needing higher quantities of nutrients, should regularly consume milk and dairy products. In fact, milk has been found to be good for humans in numerous scientific studies. 

Milk has also been found to promote growth in children. 

Some products made from milk, such as curd/ yoghurt and buttermilk, have additional health benefits due to their beneficial microbes. Cheese is a concentrated source of high-quality proteins.

Milk has been traditionally a part of the Indian diet, especially for vegetarians. In some states, particularly Haryana, Punjab and Rajasthan, milk and milk products occupy the top place in the list of foods and drinks consumed by them.

In Ayurveda too, milk and some milk products are supposed to be greatly beneficial for health. A number of ayurvedic medicines contain ghee and some are required to be taken with milk.

MILK IS NOT THAT GOOD, AND IS TOO BAD FOR SOME

Milk does not suit all people; in fact, six out of ten people in the world suffer from some level of lactose intolerance. This causes stomach upset, abdominal pain and other health issues. 

The main protein present in milk, casein, is slow to digest in our food canal. So, a part of it passes undigested beyond the top part of our gut, and is fermented by the bacteria present in lower part of the gut. That leads to some other types of discomforts and health issues.

The fat present in milk is mostly saturated fat, which - generally speaking - is not the best type of fat, and can lead to obesity and heart issues if consumed in excess.

Milk is highly prone to spoilage. That can result in many infectious diseases. 

Worse, a number of studies have indicated that milk might promote diabetes, even some types of cancers. 

On the web and social media, one finds claims that quitting milk leads to regaining health. At least some of them appear genuine, pointing towards likely benefits to those suffering from ailments caused by regular, excessive and improper consumption of milk (and other dairy products).

You might like to watch the linked video, in Hindi, with a more detailed discussion, answers to common queries, and scientific references on the impact of milk on human health.

*मनोज पाण्डे  इस वेबसाईट में स्वास्थ्य और विज्ञान विषयों पर लिखते रहते हैं। उनका ब्लॉग आप https://manoj-pandey.blogspot.com पर देख सकते हैं। 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author and do not reflect the views of raagdelhi.com, which does not assume any responsibility for the same.