Thanks to the media and the dairy industry’s massive PR strategies, cow’s milk has long been “endorsed” as the best calcium source and as the go-to drink to nourish the young. However, today will take a look at some of the reasons why you should avoid drinking cow’s milk.
Broken Bones
Cow’s milk has always been linked with bone health. Contrary to the popular belief that “cow’s milk gives you strong bones” or “cow’s milk is the most natural thing you can drink”, studies have demonstrated that cow’s milk can actually fail to protect bones from fractures.
Drinking a glass of cow’s milk probably does have its benefits, but surprisingly it appears to be associated with broken bones. Animal proteins usually produce acid when they are broken down and calcium is an element that can neutralize acid, so you get the point. In order to neutralize, flush or balance the acids in the stomach, the body will have to use the calcium that the milk provides and at times, it will also have to use the calcium from its own “stores.”
This is why some experts claim that every glass of cow’s milk you drink leaches calcium from your bones. In fact, a medical study has revealed that people who consumed little to no milk had fewer fracture rats compared to those who consumed cow’s milk on a regular basis.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance and cow’s milk allergy often get mixed up but they are not the same. Lactose intolerance is a condition where your body cannot break down or digest lactose – a disaccharide sugar found in milk and milk products. Human bodies use an enzyme called lactase to break down that sugar so that they can absorb it into their bodies. But, when your small intestine does not make enough of that digestive enzyme, you are unable to digest the lactose in cow’s milk.
The lactose in cow’s milk is particularly difficult for people to digest, which then leads to nausea, bloating, diarrhea, cramps and gas.
Acne
There’s a reason why some dermatologists claim that the amount of milk you consume may be important in acne flare-ups.
The popular opinion is that acne is caused by eating unhealthy and junk foods like chocolates, ice creams and French fries. While these foods are really not good for your skin, scientists have narrowed down which foods and drinks can make acne worse and cow’s milk is on the list.
India, for instance, is the largest consumer of cow’s milk and in 2021, statistics revealed that the country consumed around 83 million metric tons of cow milk. Coincidentally, a report for 2016-2025 revealed that around 80 % of the Indian population is affected by acne between the onset of puberty and the age of 30.
One of the best-hypothesized theories about the connection between cow’s milk and acne is the hormone theory. Androgens are hormones that can affect and increase the skin’s sebum production, which is a prerequisite for acne. Testosterone belongs to the androgens group and is found in all types of cow’s milk (whole, low-fat and skim). Therefore, according to the hypothesized theory, when you drink cow milk regularly, the testosterone you are consuming will send your sebum production into overdrive, creating the perfect condition for acne to worsen or spread easily.
Weight Gain
Despite industries’ claims that milk is rich in protein and can aid in weight loss, a study conducted on more than 12, 000 children revealed that the more cow milk they drank, the more weight they gained. The same research, however proved that if drunk with soda, milk cannot lead to weight gain.
Sodium
In order to function properly, the body needs some sodium. It balances the fluids in the body and plays a crucial role in the way muscles and nerves work. Some foods like meat, shellfish, dairy products and vegetable naturally contain sodium. However, liquid and powdered whole cow milk are said to have high sodium content, which, according to some researchers, should be avoided at all costs.
