10 Reasons to Eat More Dairy (funny)

Ah dairy… it used to be a case of people either loving it and drinking gallons of it everyday, or hating it and swapping their morning milk for apple juice. Now it seems like more and more people are becoming intolerant, evidence is mounting up
against it in every direction, and the most popular diets are eliminating it completely.

In weighing up the benefits of consuming milk, this is what I’ve found:

 

1)   Cow’s milk is perfect for babies…. If yours is a calf.

The priority for a baby’s body is maturation of the nervous system, whereas the priorit for a calf’s is increasing bulk. There’s no surprise then that human milk is full of unsaturated fat, rather than saturated fat, and has more than half the amount of protein compared to cows’ milk. Human milk also has higher carbohydrate content, which is essential for developing the brain, spinal cord and nerves.

 

2)   Dairy helps acidify the blood to prepare you for disease

The body works hard to maintain a pH balance, with 0 on the pH scale being acid, and 14 on the pH scale being alkaline. Where neutral pH is at 7, it’s been found that the optimal pH in the body is around 7.36, which is slightly alkaline. Dairy is more on the acidic side, and when our blood becomes more acidic, things like inflammation, mood disorders, allergies, and a whole host of illnesses are likely to arise.

3) It’s great at leeching calcium from your bones

Whilst dairy is rich in calcium the acid that it forms needs to be neutralised. Calcium is one of the main neutralising minerals, which is stored in large quantities in the bones, so rather than just providing us with calcium, dairy can actually cause calcium to leave the bones and subsequently get excreted in the urine.

 

4) Dairy is a wonderful source of antibiotics and hormones

Today, most dairy cows are selectively bred, fed and treated with hormones, tranquilisers, antibiotics and penicillin in order to produce such high quantities of milk. Typically a cow may yield 5 -8,000 pounds of milk a year, whereas usually it needs 6-7,000 just to feed its calf. The chemical residues and poor health of the animal is then transmitted to us consumers through our digestive system.

 

5) It helps your heart contract diseases

Cheese, ice- cream, butter and milk are full of saturated fat and cholesterol that can form deposits in the arteries, around organs and under the skin. Therefore, diets high in saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease and other associated problems.

 

6) Say hello to acne!

Science has shown that there is a strong link between acne and dairy consumption. Natural growth hormones in cows’ milk can cause inflammation and insulin spikes in humans that can lead to acne. Dairy also causes the skin to produce excess oil, which leads to clogged pores and a breeding ground for bacteria.

 

7) Digestive problems are popular when dairy is around

About 75% of people find it difficult to digest lactose, the sugar found in milk and dairy products; it can result in gas, bloating, stomach cramps, nausea and diarrhea. This arises because there is not enough lactase, which is the enzyme needed to breakdown the lactose.

 

8) Diary is fabulous at forming mucus

Casein, the protein in dairy products can make existing mucus thicker in the sinuses and nose, which may lead to congestion. The mucous membrane is sensitised with dairy intake, which can increase reactivity to foreign substances, and cause sinus problems, deposits and blockages in respiratory system.

 

9) Allergies are more prevalent

 Asthma, bronchitis, hay fever, colds, runny noses and ear infections are all linked to dairy consumption. Whether it be the irritation of the respiratory system, lactose or casein intolerance or allergy, or allergies to the antibiotics found in milk, it has been found that eliminating dairy can have a profound effect on symptoms.

 

10) It helps to increase the risk of degenerative diseases

Many studies are now showing the link between animal protein like dairy, and certain diseases such as cancer. One study has shown that those who consumed more than one serving of high fat dairy daily, had a 49% higher risk of death from breast cancer than women who did not consume it, and 64% greater risk of dying from any cause. Other than the fat content in cow’s milk, another reason for the risk of disease is the level or hormones present, which result from intensive farming. Additionally, the protein content has been linked to certain cancers, and general intake has been associated with diabetes, obesity, and multiple sclerosis.

 

Consuming dairy is constantly under scrutiny and the above reasons show just why. If you can’t live without it I suggest swapping to organic and raw versions, but if you’re happy to give alternatives a go I personally prefer almond or rice milk (the organic and unsweetened versions!).