Is drinking milk bad for you! Did you know that there are many reasons why one should stop drinking cow’s milk? For a long time, cow’s milk was touted as being one of the best sources for calcium, so check out the truth about milk.

For millions of years, cow’s milk has been a staple for children, the elderly, the sick and generally for everyone of us. However, recent research suggests that there might be better alternatives out there.

Let’s check out the top 7 reasons why you should stop drinking cow’s milk.

Why to Stop Drinking Cow’s Milk

1. Broken Bones/Fracture

Drinking milk is usually recommended as the best source for calcium, which is the main mineral in the bones. However, if you are getting enough calcium from other foods and sources, it is not necessary to consume milk.

• Though milk contains calcium, the high protein content present in it could lead to osteoporosis.
• When protein intake increases, it increases the blood acidity, which in turn, pulls calcium in the blood for neutralising the acid.

Read: Lactose Intolerance and Food Allergies: Difference and Managing Your Symptoms

This effect is especially so in case of adulthood and not childhood, because increased dairy and calcium lead to improved bone growth in children.

It is advisable to get your daily calcium intake from other sources, like leafy greens and fish rather than cow’s milk.

• Research shows that milk has little or no benefit for bone health. It does not prevent fractures and broken bones. On the contrary, there are studies showing that the more milk you consume as a teenager, the more likely you are to experience bone fractures as an adult.

2. Lactose Intolerance

Just as gluten intolerant people cannot consume bread, lactose intolerant people should stop drinking cow’s milk.

• Lactose sugar present in milk needs lactase to break it down. In the absence or insufficiency of lactase enzyme, the bowel bacteria breaks it down resulting in bloating, stomach cramps and diarrhoea.

Drink a big glass of milk. Check if you get bloating; gurgling or diarrhoea within 24 hours. If yes, then you are lactose intolerant. However, you can still consume little milk in tea or cereal.

Note: Check out all you need to know on Lactose Intolerance!

Read: 🥥 🥛 Top Uses and Health Benefits of Coconut Milk

3. Dairy Allergy

People with dairy allergy must also stop drinking cow’s milk.

• Milk allergy is a common allergy, almost as common as peanut allergy.
• In this case, the immune system of the body considers the milk protein as a threat and releases chemicals triggering symptoms of allergic reactions, such as wheezing, vomiting.

Warning: Some milk allergies can even be life threatening, such as anaphylaxis.

• There is no cure for milk allergy, so it is advisable to stop taking cow’s milk and instead take lactase substitutes, in the form of tablets or drops, which can help in improving lactose digestion.

Note: Milk allergy is more common among small children and infants, whereas lactose intolerance affects teenagers and adults.

4. Increased Cholesterol Levels

Why humans should not drink cow’s milk? Milk is a big source of saturated fat in an American diet.

• Increased saturated fat leads to heart problems, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and cancers, which implies that you must stop drinking cow’s milk.
• Milk is high in saturated fat and can lead to artery clogging.
• It contains cholesterol, which increases risk of heart disease, which is also the biggest killer in America.

Having skimmed milk removes the fat, but the drink remains loaded with sugar, which leads to a heavy calorie load equal to that of soda.

Must See: Managing Lactose Intolerance While Traveling: Tips for Navigating Restaurants and Food Options

5. Acne/Eczema/Rosacea

You might notice that acne flares one or two days after ingesting dairy foods. This is one of the side effects of drinking cow’s milk. Try a dairy free diet and notice the difference in your skin!

• According to a study in 2015 seen in Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, consumption of milk, even low fat or skim milk, was positively related to acne.

I agree it might be heart wrenching to forgo that beloved whole milk latte in the morning, but it is a small price to pay for a clear and beautiful skin.

6. Ovarian/Prostate Cancer

A Harvard study found that men having 2 or more milk servings every day had an increased risk of prostate cancer, by 60%. There has been talks on the association between cow’s milk and cancer, especially breast; prostate and testicular cancers.

• Natural estrogens, which are found in plenty in cow’s milk, are more potent, as compared to environmental estrogens.
• Farmers milk cows 300 days in a year, even during the cows pregnancy, and as the pregnancy increases, the estrogen level in the milk also increases by about 33%.
• Milk has been associated with ovarian cancer among women.
• Cow’s milk is also linked with prostate cancer, due to the presence of IGF-I; saturated fat, calcium and protein content, so it is advisable to stop drinking cow’s milk.

Tip: Organic milk is better than regular cow’s milk, but it will also be full of natural hormones, so it is better to substitute with soy milk.

Note: Rates are highest in countries like Switzerland and Denmark, where consumption of milk and cheese is high. It is one of the reasons to stop drinking cow’s milk.

Note: Check out the link between milk, dairy products and cancer!

• It has been seen in many infants as well as toddlers that milk is linked to type 1 diabetes as well as anemia.
• Many children also experience cramps, diarrhea and so on due to milk allergies. This is especially true of those having an African; Asian; Hispanic; Native American and Mediterranean lineage.

Also Read: Lactose Intolerance in Kids: Practical Advice for Symptom Management

7. Ethical and Environmental Concerns

This is one of the top reasons for avoiding cow’s milk and dairy products.

The ethical and environmental concerns are related to:

• Animal rights
• Animal welfare
• Environmental issues
• Allocation of scarce resources
• Technology and science that is used for increasing dairy production.

Last Word – Why You Should Stop Drinking Cow’s Milk

So, is milk healthy for humans? At one point of time and through the ages, milk has been considered as a one stop supplier for the most essential nutrients. However, this idea is slowly going out of fashion.

Americans now drink 37% less milk, as compared to the 1970s and milk consumption in the UK has also fallen by one third in the past twenty years. Milk is slowly but surely getting a bad press.

Milk contains a lot of essential nutrients for the body, no doubt about that. Moreover, it is available in a convenient form. However, it depends on whether the cows are grass fed, pastured ones or not.

It is a good idea to consider milk alternatives such as beans; tofu; kale; cereals; calcium fortified drinks etc. for providing sufficient calcium to the body, without effects on health, the environment or ethical concerns.  If you must consume milk, it would be better to consider taking organic milk.