Is Milk Good For You?

Updated 22.01.2012
This short post will answer the question: Is Milk Good For You?
The quick answer: unfortunately I have to say, it depends.

I personally don’t like it when experts give vague info like that: either you know, or you don’t. If you’re not sure, don’t write a friggin post!

But I am sure.
Following are direct answers on what type milk is good for you, or bad, and when.

Goats Milk: is good for you. It’s much easier digested than cow’s milk and has different proteins. Apart from the lactose, it seems many are allergic to a certain protein in cow’s milk, namely alpha S1 casein protein. Goat’s milk doesn’t have it.

Cow’s Milk: can be alright. That is IF you don’t have a lactose allergy/lactose intolerance.
But bear in mind that even if it doesn’t phase you, it might still be healthier not to indulge. Apart from all that, it’s quite high in carbs. It can be fairly easy to down a whole liter of milk in relatively short time, and that’s 45 carbs right there, and a total of 670 calories…not to be sneezed at!

Raw Cow’s Milk: some experts say that if you have cow’s milk, make it raw (non pasteurized).
Their arguments are that all beneficial micro nutrients in the milk are destroyed during the heating-process, and the molecular structure of the proteins is altered, hence making the milk less digestible.

That’s as may be, but there’s some concern over pathogens in raw milk…

The reason pasteurization was implemented in the first place is that not only does it keep the milk fresh for longer, but the heating process also destroys possible harmful microorganisms.

In the old days and especially on bigger dairy farms, diseases like bovine tuberculosis and M.bovis were suspected to be transmitted to humans, mainly children and the elderly.

It seems that no one is quite sure, but I personally will not take my chances.

Sheep’s Milk: is also digested more easily than cow’s milk, and has a higher fat content and overall much denser nutrient content. Some few people can’t handle even goat’s milk, but are fine with the sheep’s variety.
Verdict: good for you.

Rice Milk: how do you milk rice? Must be difficult…
Well rice “milk” tastes great, has a little less calories than full cream cow’s milk and a TON of carbs: about the same as fruit juice. I’d stay away from it because of that.

Coconut Milk: Coconuts are pure awesomeness, and Coconut milk is basically a whole coconut (sans shell), all mashed up into a delicious drink. Definitely good for you!

So there you have it, the more common varieties of milk available in stores and your answers on whether or not they are good for you.

In Summary:
Is Milk Good For You? Definitely yes, but it also depends on the type of milk and on whether or not you can handle it well.
Cow’s milk can be alright if you’re not allergic or have a intolerance/sensitivity to it, but it seems that goat’s and sheep’s milk are way better for you with lots of additional health benefits.
It follows that probably yogurt is good for you, too.

Kefir and yogurt are quite different to milk though they’re made from it: they also contain many beneficial bacteria –called pro biotics– and yeasts that can help improve and maintain your health. Additionally they’re way lower in lactose and contain an enzyme that lactose intolerant folk lack in: lactase. So it’s got less of the troublesome milk sugar, plus the digestive power to handle it well.
Here is an introduction to Greek yogurt and the benefits of this favorite of mine.

For more, see my other posts on nutrition and fat loss foods.

P.S.
Are these the only kinds of milk you can consume? Not by far. FYI here’s a list of other milks folks have had –and still have– in other parts of the world:

Water Buffalo: India

Reindeer: Scandinavia

Horse: Mongolia, Russia

Camel: in the desert.

To Your Health!

Mark

2 Comments

• Tony - Coach Calorie says:

  April 19, 2012 at 2:21 PM

  Milk and dairy in general are tricky foods. Milk is a very cheap source of protein for the budget conscious. I do see issues with people using it for weight loss though. Even though most dairy is low glycemic, it is still insulinogenic – making it more difficult to mobilize fatty acids.
  Tony – Coach Calorie recently posted..How to Lose 10 Pounds in a Month

  Reply
  • Mark says:

    April 19, 2012 at 2:26 PM

    For sure, it’s loaded with sugar.

    Greek yogurt is the way to go as far as dairy imo.
    Mark

    Reply