Many of our current-day eating habits are dictated by cultural norms, such as people’s obsession with cheese and other dairy products. All of these dairy products are derived from milk, which is composed of a molecule called lactose, and in order for us to digest this molecule, we require a little helper in our gut: the enzyme lactase.
Babies possess this enzyme in abundant quantities since they are dependent on their mother’s milk, and so it helps them efficiently break down milk products. As babies mature and are no longer dependent on their mother’s milk, they start to have fewer lactase enzymes. For this reason, some adults are unable to absorb milk and are thus considered “lactose intolerant”. This often manifests as an upset stomach, feelings of nausea, or gassiness. On the other hand, in populations where milk is heavily consumed, adults possess greater amounts of lactase, and are thus able to tolerate more milk. However, they eventually become intolerant to lactose as well.
Seeing that nature did not initially select for adult humans to be able to breakdown lactose, the question becomes, is it really necessary to consume milk? And, if so, how beneficial is it really?
National food guides emphasize the benefits that come from drinking a lot of milk products, suggesting that adults consume approximately two servings of dairy per day. Milk industry lobbyists also claim that milk is a great source of calcium and is thus important for bone and teeth health. Although milk contains calcium, it is important to note that the mere consumption of milk does not guarantee that the calcium will be properly absorbed and used by the body for bone development.
In fact, much of our bone development is influenced by our diet in infancy and throughout childhood. So much so that it is uncontested that babies gain most of their nutrition needs from milk. For this reason, milk is much more beneficial for infants than adults, who can barely stomach it. In addition, when adults drink too much milk, their blood sugar levels may spike. This can be problematic for diabetics or those trying to lose weight. Milk also has inflammatory properties, so too much of it can commonly lead to acne or sinus congestion. Our current overconsumption of milk is also a way through which farm pesticides and growth hormones can be transferred to us. These chemicals can wreak havoc on our immune system.
It is also important to note that the milk that is available nowadays differs greatly from the milk that our ancestors once drank, straight from the cow’s udder. Today, milk, undergoes processing including homogenization and pasteurization. This modified milk is heavily promoted by the dairy industry as a “cleaner” and “healthier” alternative, though this it not necessarily the case. Our ancestors did not have the luxury of sterilizing their milk as we do nowadays, however they were able to consume it nonetheless.
Today, the dairy industry has such a strong say in what is recommended to the public, that we often forget about non-dairy, lactose-free alternatives. Some examples include almond and soy milk, which are better in their nutritious quality than traditional, wholesome milk.
Of course, today, getting your hands on farm milk and simmering it the old-fashioned way is out of the question. In Ontario, Canada and some parts of the United States, even the law prevents milk from being sold raw, due to dangerous contaminants. However, the research on the merits and threats of raw milk has not been fully explored. Currently, we know that milk is a source of a number of nutrients that we can also acquire from other sources. So ultimately, the choice to drink milk is up to you.
By Shameelah Patel
Please note that opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views and values of The Blank Page.
