Why Animal Products Harm – Dairy

Cow’s milk and dairy products are not natural foods for us – we are best suited to drinking breastmilk as babies only. Consuming dairy products made from the milk of a different species is not just unnatural, it’s also unnecessary and may harm your heath.

Summary:

• It’s not natural for humans to drink milk after weaning – and certainly not the milk of a different species.
• While human breastmilk is the perfect food for babies, cow’s (or any other animal’s) milk is not.
• Around 70 per cent of the world population are lactose intolerant in adulthood – they cannot digest the milk sugar lactose.
• Cow’s milk naturally contains many hormones, including sex and growth hormones that have been linked to certain cancers.
• A tablespoon of milk can contain millions of infection-fighting white blood cells, the type found in pus.
• Milk drinking and the use of whey protein powders may lead to acne, especially in teenagers and young adults.
• Children who have cow’s milk allergy are more likely to suffer from asthma than others. Even if they ‘grow out’ of cow’s milk allergy, they may continue to suffer from asthma – avoiding milk can help improve their health.
• Milk is absolutely not necessary for healthy bones. Plant foods rich in calcium, vitamin D, a varied plant-based diet low in sugar and alcohol, and regular physical activity is what our bones need to be healthy.
• Milk and dairy products may increase your risk of certain cancers, in particular prostate.
• Milk can contain bacteria that may cause Crohn’s disease in people with a certain genetic makeup.
• Milk can play a role in type 1 diabetes development in some people, while fatty dairy products can contribute to type 2 diabetes.
• Soft cheese, such as Brie, Camembert or blue cheese, and unpasteurised milk and cheese made from it can contain Listeria – bacteria causing food poisoning. The infection can become so serious that pregnant women are advised to avoid these products completely.
• The high levels of saturated fat in some dairy foods may contribute to high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure and heart disease.
• Replacing fatty dairy products with plant foods can greatly reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Consuming dairy products may contribute to kidney stones in vulnerable people. On the other hand, plant foods help to prevent the disease.

Keep reading for detailed information and references!

Going dairy-free is not just a healthy choice, it’s also an ethical and sustainable one. If you’re used to meals based around meat and dairy, the idea of a plant-based diet may be daunting but we’re here to help make it super easy!