An udder controversy

Is cow’s milk “unnatural” for humans to drink? [Healthline]( [Wellness Wire]( IN a nutshell Hello everyone, and happy World Compliment Day! Your homework for the day is to give at least one heartfelt compliment. We’ll go first: You’re awesome for reading Wellness Wire and being committed to your wellness journey. 🥰 Today, we’ll be focusing on a surprisingly polarizing topic: milk. Once the quintessential American beverage, this creamy drink has become clouded with baseless claims, including that it’s unhealthy and “unnatural” for humans to consume. We get to the bottom of the controversy below. Here’s what else we’re sipping on today: • [what's the best replacement for cow's milk]( • [a small appliance that can bring a big upgrade to your life]( • [an update on Bruce Willis’ health]( • [everything you need to know about the G-spot]( and more health stories you need Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline Written by Ginger Wojcik March 1, 2023 • 6 min read [Is it “unnatural” for humans to drink milk from cows?]( what’s got us buzzing [Is it “unnatural” for humans to drink milk from cows?]( Earlier this year, our social team [posted]( what they thought was an uncontroversial list of the [health benefits of cow’s milk](. But after a flood of comments, including “Sponsored by big dairy?” and “Cow’s milk is for cows. This is so out of date. Get a clue. Go dairy free,” it became clear we had struck a frothy nerve. And it wasn’t just us. The comment section of a recent New York Times [post]( on milk shows a similar deluge of anti-dairy sentiment. So, how did America’s darling drink — once gulped down at a rate of [45 gallons]( a year per person — fall from grace? For starters, milk has a notable list of cons, including: - As much as [68%]( (!) of the world’s population is [allergic]( to it. - Farming cattle is a [key contributor]( to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and more. - Commercial dairy farming is wrought with [animal cruelty](. However, many of the criticisms against milk are a lot less factual, including the common refrain that it’s “unnatural” for humans to drink. “There are lots of foods we eat that may feel natural to someone or not, depending on your definition,” says Healthline Senior Nutrition Editor and registered dietitian Lisa Valente. “Milk itself comes to us relatively unprocessed and rich in nutrients, and I think if you play the natural/unnatural game with any food, you could make a case for either or both.” In fact, cow’s milk contains [18 of the 22]( nutrients humans need to survive, and research has linked some of them to: - [improved bone health]( - [improved heart health]( - [lower cancer risk]( - [fewer depressive symptoms]( To be clear: No one is saying you need cow’s milk to be healthy. But the argument that milk is universally unhealthy is clouded by decades of [peer-reviewed research]( showing its many benefits (for those who can stomach it, that is). tl;dr: Once America’s drink of choice, cow’s milk has become a source of heated debate. One common argument against milk is that it’s “unnatural” for humans to drink, but there’s a lack of evidence to back this up. While you don’t need milk to be healthy, decades of research have shown that drinking milk has a range of [health benefits](. great finds Editor faves with health perks You know those great finds you just *have* to tell your friends about? That’s how we feel about the products we recommend here. Every pick has been [vetted by our editorial team](, and we genuinely think it’ll make your life better. [Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother]( [Bodum Bistro Electric Milk Frother]( Looking for an easy and affordable way to make your life feel fancier? I suggest buying a milk frother. Many of you might be relieved to learn that adding a little foam on top of your morning coffee can help you kick that $6-a-day latte habit. This cute little stainless steel frother comes with a transparent lid so you can watch the foam form and keep your frothed milk warm while you go about your morning. (For tips on making lattes at home, check out [this guide]( from our friends at Greatist.) [Shop now]( say what Look who’s talking “Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that –– if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families.” – [Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn]( In a public statement, Bruce Willis’ family released more details about the 67-year-old actor’s recent diagnosis with [frontotemporal dementia (FTD)](. The condition, which is progressive and has no cure, affects the parts of the brain responsible for personality, behavior, and language. The Willis family has taken to spreading awareness about FTD, which is the [most common]( type of dementia in people between the ages of 45 and 65. They urge others dealing with FTD to find support through [@theaftd]( and [theaftd.org](. [What’s the best replacement for cow’s milk?]( Wednesday Kick Start [What’s the best replacement for cow’s milk?]( If you’re allergic, concerned with animal welfare and environmentalism, or just hate the taste, fear not. You can say mooove over to cow’s milk and hello to alternatives like dairy-free milk. Here are things to keep in mind when swapping cow’s milk out of your diet. There are four nutrients in particular found in cow’s milk that can be [hard to get]( enough of elsewhere: potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and protein. “If you don't drink milk, you'll want to eat those nutrients from other foods,” says Valente. The nondairy option that checks off most of these boxes is [soy milk](, which is naturally rich in protein and magnesium and commonly fortified with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and other B vitamins. [Pea-based milks]( are also notably nutritious, as they’re [high in key micronutrients]( phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, as well as protein. But what about crowd favorites like almond, oat, and hemp milk? Well, like John, Paul, George, and Ringo, each has unique strengths. • [Oat milk]( is low in calories and high in fiber, including beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol. • [Hemp milk]( contains all the essential amino acids plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. • [Almond milk]( is low in calories, fat, and carbs but also in nutrients, protein, and fiber. (Did you know most almond milk is made mostly of water?) Ultimately, giving up cow’s milk shouldn’t be an issue for your health as long as you maintain a balanced and diverse diet. If you’re fully plant-based, you may need to be especially intentional about getting certain nutrients, which you can read more about [here](. For more information on the nutrition of nondairy milks, check out our [guide here](. health stories you need What we’re reading next [] 💤 [Seasonal sleeping: Why we need more rest in the winter.]( We may not hibernate like bears, but we do crave extra shut-eye during the colder months, according to new research. ✨ ️[Everything you need to know about the G-spot.]( Get the facts about this erotic, commonly misunderstood nether region, including how to explore your own. 💦 [A urine test for pancreatic and prostate cancer could be a game-changer.]( The new form of testing could help diagnose cancer at an earlier stage, increasing the odds of survival. 🔉 [News anchor Laurie Dhue on conquering alcohol use disorder and addiction.]( This week on the IMH podcast, host Gabe Howard talks with the acclaimed journalist about her past. you’re up Personally, I’m a fan of a lot of different milks. But I’m very particular about how I use each one: almond milk for cereal, oat milk for matcha lattes, and half-and-half (from cows, duh) for coffee. I love a tall glass of full fat whole milk, though I rarely buy it since I’m trying to limit my overall dairy intake. Pea milk and rice milk can take a hike, but hemp milk is fine in a pinch. OK, now that I’ve gotten all that off my chest, I want to hear from you all. We want to know: What’s your go-to milk option? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may share your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!) Thanks for reading! Morgan will be back in your inbox on Friday. Until next time, [healthline]( Take care of yourself, and we’ll see you again soon! [Telegram] This edition was powered by half-and-half, my love. [fb]( [tiktok]( [insta]( [View in browser]( Did a friend send you this email? 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