Is cow milk healthy?

Introduction

Cow's milk is a widely consumed beverage known for its rich nutritional profile, including high-quality proteins, vitamins, and minerals. However, its health effects have been a topic of debate, with discussions focusing on both its potential benefits and risks.

Key Insights

Nutritional Benefits and Disease Prevention
- Cow's milk is a major source of high-quality protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients, contributing to bone health and overall growth, especially in children .
- Consumption of cow's milk and dairy products is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers (e.g., colorectal and bladder cancer) .
- Milk intake may have protective effects against obesity and improve body composition, particularly during energy restriction .
Cardiometabolic Health
- Increased milk consumption does not significantly affect waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, plasma glucose, or cholesterol levels in women of childbearing age, but may reduce LDL cholesterol and diastolic blood pressure.
- Altering the fatty acid profile of milk by supplementing cow diets with oils like soybean and linseed can make the milk's fatty acid profile healthier, increasing unsaturated fatty acids and omega-3 content.
Child Health and Development
- Cow's milk consumption in children improves nutritional status, supports bone health, and may aid in hydration and appetite control .
- Raw cow's milk consumption in infants is associated with a reduced risk of respiratory infections and fever, although it poses significant health risks due to potential contamination with pathogens .
Controversies and Risks
- The negative effects of cow's milk are generally limited to specific conditions such as lactose intolerance and cow's milk protein allergy, which are usually manageable .
- There is no clear evidence linking cow's milk consumption to an increased risk of cancer or chronic degenerative diseases .
- Raw milk consumption poses a realistic health threat due to possible contamination with pathogens, and it is recommended that milk be heated before consumption to mitigate these risks .

Conclusion

Overall, cow's milk is a nutrient-dense food that offers numerous health benefits, particularly in terms of bone health, disease prevention, and overall nutritional status. While there are some risks associated with specific conditions and raw milk consumption, these can generally be managed. The evidence supports the inclusion of cow's milk as part of a balanced diet, provided it is consumed according to appropriate guidelines and safety measures.

Is cow milk healthy?

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Is Cow's Milk Harmful to a Child's Health?

Cow's milk has no negative effects on children's health, except for iron status, when consumed with iron-enriched foods, and has growth-promoting effects when consumed regularly.

Inclusion of soybean and linseed oils in the diet of lactating dairy cows makes the milk fatty acid profile nutritionally healthier for the human diet

Inclusion of soybean and linseed oils in lactating dairy cows' diets improves milk fatty acid profile, making it healthier for human consumption.

Cow’s Milk Consumption and Health: A Health Professional’s Guide

Appropriate consumption of milk and dairy products contributes essential nutrients to the diet and may protect against obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, with no clear association to cancer.

The effect of cow's milk consumption on cardiometabolic health in women of childbearing age

Increased cow's milk consumption in women of childbearing age does not significantly impact cardiometabolic health markers, but may decrease LDL cholesterol over time.

The potential nutrition-, physical- and health-related benefits of cow’s milk for primary-school-aged children

Cow's milk consumption improves nutritional status, hydration, dental and bone health, and may neutralize physical stature and appetite in primary-school-aged children.

Consumption of unprocessed cow's milk protects infants from common respiratory infections.

Early life consumption of raw cow's milk reduces the risk of respiratory infections and fever by about 30%, potentially having a huge public health impact.

Dairy products in the food chain: their impact on health.

High consumption of milk and dairy products may have protective effects against coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, certain cancers, and dementia.

Milk nutritional composition and its role in human health.

Milk consumption is crucial for human health, providing essential nutrients and potentially preventing chronic conditions like cardiovascular diseases, cancer, obesity, and diabetes.

Milk and dairy products: good or bad for human health? An assessment of the totality of scientific evidence

Intake of milk and dairy products contributes to meeting nutrient recommendations and may protect against common chronic diseases, with few adverse effects reported.

Raw or heated cow milk consumption: Review of risks and benefits

Raw milk consumption poses a health threat due to potential contamination with human pathogens, and it is strongly recommended that milk be heated before consumption, without significantly changing the nutritional value or other benefits associated with raw milk consumption.

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