Milk, as we’ve heard over and over again, should be a staple in our everyday diets. In 1940, the US federal government championed dairy products, milk especially, as a guaranteed path towards “Health, Good Teeth, Vitality, Endurance, and Strong Bones.” Even today, milk is associated with good health and it is commonly known that dairy is an important source of nutrients and proteins. However, the truth is a little more complicated than that. 

The Facts:

Dairy products are generally abundant in calcium, a crucial nutrient to bone health, and have been scientifically shown to increase height in children. In addition, dairy products are rich in potassium which helps blood vessels reduce blood pressure. Getting more potassium, and reducing salt intake has been shown to decrease the risk of heart disease and stroke. However, such a sudden abundance of nutrients is never good for the body, and more specifically, an abundance of calcium can lead to kidney problems. Alongside this abundance of nutrients are high concentrations of cholesterol and fat, which can lead to an increase in heart disease and stroke. 

Additionally, milk contains high concentrations of Vitamin D, which, alongside calcium, play an important role in helping to prevent certain types of cancer. However, Vitamin D has also been shown to increase the risks of getting certain other types of cancer. In addition, dairy products have been shown to lead to many health risks including saturated fats, lactose intolerance, an abundance of potassium, calcium, and phosphorus, and antibiotics. 

The research surrounding the health benefits of dairy is contradictory, so it is hard to determine the true impact. We may never know if dairy is good or bad for the human body, but it is important to know the truth about what we put into our bodies. 

Sources:

“What to know about milk.” MedicalNewsToday, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/

     273451#milk-alternatives.

“Is Milk Bad for You? Here’s What the Science Says.” Discover Magazine,

     www.discovermagazine.com/health/is-milk-bad-for-you-heres-what-the-science-says.