Raw Milk: Whether it’s really hit your lips, you’ve probably heard of it so far, probably in polarizing. Some people offer it as a magical elixir nutrients that can promote vitality and destroy a series of health problems, while others say that these claims are excessive or untrue. So what is the real deal?
Is raw milk actually one of nature’s superfoods or is it a dangerous business? This question and much more was answered below by experts specializing in dairy products, diet and food safety.
What is raw milk?
Raw milk differs from normal milk-that is, the type of overwhelming majority of people who buy in the supermarket-in the fact that the former has not been treated with heat (also known as pasteurized). “This is as little processed as you can find when it comes to dairy products,” says the Brooklyn -based dietitian Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN. However, it warns that the term is not slightly processed is not synonymous with you, safer or more natural.
And what taste of raw milk? “It may seem more tasty for some people,” he continues. “It is often referred to as sweeter or more grass. And more creamy in texture.”
Supposed benefits for the health of raw milk
Fans of raw milk attribute a variety of benefits for their consumption, including it is easier to digest and help relieve a series of inflammatory health problems.
According to Pasquariello, supporters of raw milk also offer the following claims, each of whom the dietitian considers as false:
- It is safer and better for you, since it comes straight from the source
- Supports gut and bowel immunity
- Its benefits exceed the dangers
Some people also claim that pasteurization kills significant nutrients. “Nutrients in milk are not significantly reduced by pasteurization.” Christine M. Bruhn, PhdAn expert on food safety and retired director of the UC Davis Consumer Research Center. “There is a slight decrease in vitamin C during pasteurization, but milk is not an important source of this nutrient as we get it from fruits and vegetables.”
David A. Mills, PhDDistinguished Professor and President of Peter J. Shields in the science of dairy products at UC Davis, adds that while the process can destroy some digestive enzymes and deliberately kill germs in milk, “in no way addresses this possible negative by Dramatically increased chances of milk that hosts pathogenic bacteria, virus or parasite that could hurt. It has clinical trials associated with it ”.
In addition, Mills says that supporters of raw milk often use the Gabriela studypublished in 2011 to argue the assumption that raw milk is inversely linked to asthma and allergies to farm children who consume it. However, he explains that later studies They suggest that the germs associated with the lives of farms could be the driver here. ‘The problem with [these types of] Epidemiology studies do not reveal any mechanism. They just create cases to try, “he shares.” Almost every influence of raw milk I know is reporting the Gabriela study, but they do not understand that a mechanism associated with raw milk has never proved to be later. “
Risks of consumption of raw milk
“You are much more likely to get sick than eating raw dairy products against pasteurized dairy products,” says Pasquariello. There are many opportunities for pathogens to infect dairy products throughout production. Per Disease Control Centers (CDC), consuming raw milk is in danger of exposure to germs such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. Coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella.
“For those who consume raw dairy products, these pathogens can be transported and cause flu,” he warns. (Bird influenza – which causes harm to humans and has become more widespread in recent years, given the rise of raw dairy consumption – is another possibility, he says.) “Death is possible if the condition of one’s disease progresses or If they are particularly vulnerable ”.
Either sneaky or misinformation, some of those who defend raw milk try to make a case by reporting the number of diseases from pasteurized against raw milk. “They tend to consider the overall number of cases of people who get sick of pasteurized dairy products, which may appear higher than the number of cases of people who get sick of raw dairy products,” says Pasquariello. This logic is incorrect, since you need to consider rates and percentages – not the total number of cases – to analyze the risk of diseases. “Since only a small percentage (about 3 %) of the population consumes some amount of raw dairy products, there may be fewer cases of overall significant incidents, but the relative risk is much higher, so if everyone consumes raw dairy products, the extreme increase. The percentage of the disease would be inevitable, ”he explains.
Actually, by a 2017 article In the magazine Emerging infectious diseasesRaw dairy products caused 96 percent of diseases caused by infected dairy products from 2009 to 2014 – or an imposing 840 times more diseases and 45 times more hospitalizations than pasteurized products. The authors noted that these rates will increase with higher consumption of non -pasteurized dairy products, the latter of which have lift off Especially for the last two years and can continue with the steady momentum of raw milk movement.
Is raw milk safe or healthy?
Simply put, eating raw milk raises more dangers than rewards.
“There is clear documentation that despite the best efforts of the farmer, raw milk can contain dangerous bacteria and consumption of raw milk is dangerous,” Bruhn says. According to Pasqaruiello, the possible presence of pathogens in it could cause significant damage to humans – especially children, the elderly, and those who are pregnant or have weakened immune system.
Nevertheless, Bruhn warns that everyoneRegardless of their age or state of health, they could get sick of testing this alternative diet.
The route
Some wellness and nutrition trends are more innocent than others – but according to public health institutions and expert legions, Raw Milk is not with each other. Therefore, it is in your interest to avoid touching this trend and silent the noise around it as much as you can … especially if you are enticed to try it.
Pasquariello, Bruhn and Mills strongly advise consumption of raw milk. “Any RD, a scientist or nutrition practitioner based on evidence should not be morally recommended to consume raw dairy products or promote raw dairy products as health benefits that compensate for the dangers,” says Pasquariello. “There is no reason to consume raw dairy products over his safer, pasteurized counterpart.”
“Eating raw milk is like playing Russian roulette with your health and there are more than one bullets in the gun,” Bruhn concludes. Why play with your most important assets-your health and prosperity-when your chances aren’t in your favor?
Frequently questions
Is raw milk better than pasteurized milk?
“NO. When balanced with the dangers of raw milk, [its purported] Benefits are not legally, “says Mills. Bruhn adds that pasteurization is one of the most important steps to protect human health, so it is in your interest to continue buying standard dairy (or vegetable milk) of choice.
Can raw milk cause food diseases?
Yes, raw milk can cause food -transmitted disease. In accordance with CdcSymptoms may include diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps, while more severe cases may lead to paralysis, renal failure, stroke or death.
Why is raw milk tendency?
There are many reasons why the movement of raw milk seems to be stronger than ever.
According to Pasquariello, these include but not limited to:
- The desire for a quick health repair
- Trends for trad health and preference to “return to nature”
- Marketing tricks from influences and politicians with something to gain (whether they are popularity, fans, sales of their own programs or products)
- Balancing in informal (and not scientific) evidence
- Distress of public health institutions, largely based on misinformation and growing politicization of the food system
Where is raw milk legal to buy?
In the United States, regulations and legality around the sale of raw milk vary by state. “In many parts of the country, it is not legal to sell or buy raw milk and in other areas. You have to sign resignation if you decide to buy it, release the seller’s responsibility and for contact detection purposes,” Pasquariello explains. Some states may impose other degrees of regulatory compliance (such as warning labels), while others completely prohibit sales.
How should raw milk be stored if consumed?
If you choose to buy and consume raw milk-which, again, is ugly according to an overwhelming majority of public health, food and nutrition experts-confirm that you will keep it cool and stored in your fridge.
