People Are Once Again Claiming Raw Milk Is Good For You – Here’s Why It’s Not

Pasteurization, along with hand washing and vaccines, constitutes one of the greatest public health achievements in human history. But just like the other items on this list, it has its detractors. The noisy ones.

Fact-checking organization Full Fact recently responded to an Instagram post that had more than 70,000 likes at the time of writing, one of several espousing the bullshit the controversial idea that unpasteurized “raw” milk is a health food. So we thought now was a good time to reiterate why science tells us that drinking pints of the unprocessed white stuff is often a really bad idea.

What is pasteurization?

Named for French scientist Louis Pasteur, who demonstrated that applying heat could prevent wine and beer from spoiling in the 1860s, pasteurization is the process of heat treating milk to kill harmful microbes and increase shelf life.

There are several different methods, but all involve milk being heated to specific temperatures and held for a predetermined period of time, which has been calculated to be sufficient to kill bacteria, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, who may be hiding inside.

You may also have seen products labeled “UHT,” which stands for ultra-heat treated. This is a more extreme form of pasteurization involving higher temperatures and sterile packaging, allowing these types of products to be stored out of the refrigerator for months.

Milk is not the only pasteurized food. Other examples of foods that can be heat-treated include fruit juices, flour, and Pasteur’s original research topic, alcoholic beverages.

Why do some people drink raw milk?

Almost as soon as pasteurization became common practice, controversy began. According to the Science History Institute, some local media were asking questions about “cooking” milk as early as the early 20th century.^th century, and the skepticism of certain circles has never really disappeared.

Over the decades, many claims have been made about the purported benefits of unpasteurized dairy products. Here are a few.

“It’s better.”

Some people simply say they prefer the flavor of raw milk. There are also some artisanal cheeses, traditionally made with raw milk, that connoisseurs might be tempted to try.

This is a difficult question to disprove through scientific research. Needless to say, even if you think it tastes a little better, most would agree that the risks of raw milk (see below) far outweigh that.

“It’s easier to digest.”

Some have claimed that treating milk with heat to kill bad bacteria has the effect of killing probiotic organisms that secrete lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose and which people with lactose intolerance lack.

There is no scientific evidence to support this claim. Raw milk always contains lactose and there is no evidence that it contains lactase. The pasteurization process is also not the cause of lactose intolerance, which we know from genetic evidence has existed for thousands of years.

“It’s healthier.”

Some suggest that the pasteurization process negatively affects the nutritional profile of milk by breaking down nutrients like calcium, which is essential for healthy bone development. Claims have also been made regarding the purported immune benefits of raw milk.

Much of this also has to do with broader skepticism about eating processed foods or so-called “unnatural” products.

Data suggest that pasteurization does not significantly alter the nutritional content of milk. Although some studies have found decreased levels of some vitamins after heat treatment, these are not vitamins found in particularly high amounts in milk and therefore can be obtained from other sources more important food.

There is evidence that children raised on farms have a lower incidence of certain allergies and autoimmune diseases, as well as improved immune function, which some have attributed to raw milk consumption. But it’s important to note that even these studies agree that a better way to mitigate the very real risks of raw milk needs to be found before more widespread consumption can be recommended.

“It’s fine as long as it’s tested/organic/from a clean farm.”

Some believe that as long as they trust the farm their raw milk comes from, it is safe to consume.

However, in reality, there is no way to completely eliminate the risk. Even farms that regularly test their milk for microbes may miss low levels of contamination that can still make you sick. Organic farming practices also cannot prevent contamination, and even the healthiest animals can harbor bacteria that pose a threat to humans.

What are the risks of drinking raw milk?

In addition to citing evidence that largely refutes the anti-pasteurization league’s claims, health authorities like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have repeatedly warned of the dangers of consuming raw milk. .

The most obvious risk, and the reason pasteurization was adopted, is the risk of foodborne illness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) explains that raw milk can contain several different bacteria that pose a risk to human health, including Campylobacter, TweezerAnd Listeria. In fact, they say raw milk is “one of the riskiest foods” to consume.

Infection with any of these species could cause you days of diarrheal suffering, but it can also have potentially serious consequences, especially for the most vulnerable people, such as children and pregnant people. It is not uncommon for humans to contract bovine tuberculosis from raw milk, and some of these other infections can lead to complications, including kidney failure.

It is because of these risks that buying raw milk is illegal in several US states and cannot be sold in major UK stores.

The verdict? Pasteurized milk is much safer and no less healthy

In a world where some people genuinely debate the value of good hand hygiene, it’s probably no surprise that raw milk has so many strong supporters. But all the evidence suggests that consuming unpasteurized dairy is, at best, no better for you and, at worst, a one-way ticket to the emergency room.

If only there was a simple way to significantly reduce all risks…

All “explanatory” articles are confirmed by fact checkers be accurate at the time of publication. Text, images and links may be changed, deleted or added later to keep the information up to date.

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding medical conditions.