Milk has long been seen as an important source of calcium and other nutrients, particularly for children. But some researchers suggest that it is not a necessary part of a healthy diet for most adults, and may even be harmful if consumed excessively.
Milk is 'not necessary' for adults, but it's good for kids
MyPlate, the USDA's current nutritional guide enacted in 2011, suggests 2 to 3 cups of dairy for adults daily, but its definition is broadened to include yogurt and cheese, as well as calcium-fortified soy milk.
Is drinking milk good for you? Milk has 18 of 22 essential nutrients, making it a nutritional rock star and a simple and efficient way to get a long list of vitamins and minerals. It's especially rich in calcium and protein, which are critical elements of a healthy diet.
There may have been several factors promoting lactase persistence, not just one. Swallow suspects that the key may have been milk's nutritional benefits, such as that it is rich in fat, protein, sugar and micronutrients like calcium and vitamin D. It is also a source of clean water.
When Should I Introduce My Child to Cow's Milk? At 12 months old (but not before), your child can be introduced to cow's milk. Before your child is 12 months old, cow's milk may put him or her at risk for intestinal bleeding.
Around 30 years of age, there is zero production of lactase. Without the lactase enzyme, the milk reaches the large intestine directly and the bacteria present can cause indigestion.
Whether you enjoy drinking milk or not, it's not a necessity for a healthy lifestyle. It may offer up a great source of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D, but if you gather those nutrients from whole foods, you can still meet your daily requirement, Shapiro suggests.
LOW RISK: Those who stop consuming milk or refrain from its consumption are at a lower risk of developing cancer, according to research. Other than this, packaged milk available in the market may be low in fat but high in sugar, making us predisposed to diabetes.
China, despite a growing interest in milk, is again near the very bottom, just above North Korea and Indonesia, where people basically don't drink milk. One last interesting tidbit is how milk consumption varies by age in a way soda and fruit juice consumption does not.
IF MILK is not removed pressure builds up which eventually stops the secretion so that no more milk is produced. If the cow is producing very little (less than 5 kg/day) when milking stops there are no problems; this is the normal way of 'drying off'.
Reasons why people don't drink milk range from taste, personal preferences, animal welfare or environmental concerns. Or it could be due to health conditions or concerns about intolerance, allergy and acne. Lactose is the main carbohydrate in milk.
And the thing is: A lot of people don't like milk because their body simply can't process it. In fact, most adults globally are lactose intolerant. All babies produce an enzyme that allows them to digest lactose, but a mutation that allows adults to continue to digest the stuff only showed up a few thousand years ago.
Adults aged 19-50 years are recommended to consume 2.5 serves of milk, cheese, yoghurt and/or alternatives each day. Older adults (particularly women) require additional serves to help maintain muscle mass and bone strength.
The bottom line is no, dairy products are not a nutritional requirement for humans. We can get all of the nutrients for optimal health from a high-quality diet that limits or contains no dairy.
Men and women should aim to consume three cups of milk each day. A cup is equal to 8 ounces of milk or yogurt. Cheese also counts! One and a half ounces of hard cheese is equivalent to one cup of milk when it comes to nutrition.
Whether you're 7 or 77, drinking milk at any age is important for good health. Milk is a good source of vitamin D and calcium, which older adults tend to need more of, to maintain bone strength, preserve muscle strength, and prevent osteoporosis.
Some older adults wonder if they need milk anymore. Experts note that cow's milk — which is rich in protein, calcium, vitamins and minerals — can be a beneficial part of an older adult's diet, but some non-dairy milk products are also healthy options.
All you need to do is consume it in moderation. A glass of milk in a day is an ideal choice. In light of the study, it is for the best to avoid drinking more than 2 glasses of milk in a day.
Fluid milk has long been a staple of the American diet. However, as dietary habits change, Americans of all ages are drinking less milk, on average. Since 1970, per capita consumption of fluid milk has fallen from almost 1 cup (8 fl. oz.) to 0.6 cups per day.
According to the data, 69% of U.S. adults drink dairy milk most frequently. 15% drink alternative kinds of milk, which is just slightly less than the 16% who do not drink any milk at all.
As it turns out, it is completely healthy to go dairy-free. Though dairy has some benefits, we don't necessarily need it in our diets, even though it is often listed as a major food group. Many of the health benefits found in dairy can be found in other foods.
Perhaps drinking milk does seem unusual, if you think about it that way! But humans have been consuming milk for millennia — and not just milk from cows, but from sheep, goats, and other animals, too.
The Reasons Vegans Don't Drink Milk
Milk is a product of cows or in some cases Goats. No matter how the milk is produced, even if it is organically farmed, it is not a product that a Vegan will consume.
Vegan milks are made from a wide assortment of beans, nuts, seeds, and grains. The most popular varieties are soy milk, almond milk, and oat milk. Other popular brands are made from coconuts, peas, cashews, hazelnuts, hemp seeds, or rice.