Is consuming raw milk good for you or not? 

The trend of consuming raw milk is not new and while there are benefits of it, there are also cons of having milk in its raw form.
raw milk
Find out if raw milk is okay to drink or not? Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Gurpreet Kaur Published: 20 Jul 2022, 16:31 pm IST
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In India and across the world, milk is considered to be a nutrient-rich beverage that can benefit you in more ways than one. It is not only rich in nutrients like calcium, phosphorus, B vitamins, potassium and vitamin D, it is also an extremely excellent source of protein. It can aid in osteoporosis and bone fractures and if someone can digest milk easily, there’s nothing better than that. But what about raw milk?

But is consuming raw milk healthy?

Raw milk or kacha doodh is defined as any milk or milk product which is obtained from an animal and consumed by a human being without the process of pasteurisation. Earlier in the 1900s, raw milk was consumed in most parts of the world and considered a high source of nutrients and minerals. With the pasteurisation process becoming popular and more known to the scientific world, it is now not considered safe and healthy anymore to consume raw milk.

dairy foods
Dairy items are a great source of protein. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Benefits of consuming raw milk

It is believed that when the milk is pasteurized, which means it is heated to get any harmful bacteria, it can cause allergic reactions and heart diseases. On the other hand, raw milk is obtained from grass-fed cows and is thus full of healthy amino acids and beneficial enzymes. In fact, it has antibiotic properties that help protect from bacteria.

Additionally, raw milk is easily absorbed by our body unlike the pasteurized one. It also makes you feel full for a longer period of time, which may lead to weight loss. All the women out there can also use it as a skin toner and moisturizer to make their skin glow and feel supple.

Also, read: 5 best plant-based milk options for those who’ve just turned vegan

Side effects of having raw milk

Since raw milk comes from grass-fed cows, the quality of that milk entirely depends on the cow’s diet, how and where it’s raised, and the way the milk is collected.

“Raw milk contains many microbes such as Listeria, E.coli, Shigella, Yersinia, Coxiella, Salmonella, Campylobacter and others that cause-food borne illnesses. More than 100 outbreaks have been reported in literature worldwide which is attributed to the consumption of raw milk,” Dr Charu Dutt Arora, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, told Health Shots.

milk for strong bones
Don’t underestimate the importance of milk! Image courtesy: Shutterstock

He added, “Most of these food-borne illnesses cause flu like symptoms and gastrointestinal issues such as stomach pain, loose motions and vomiting. Some of the severe adverse effects also include Guillain Barre Syndrome that can result in paralysis and hemolytic uremic syndrome that can lead to kidney failure and even death.”

The mentioned illnesses are more common in pregnant and lactating mothers, infants, elderly and those with weakened immune systems such as HIV, cancer, and autoimmune issues.

Clearly, continuous consumption of raw milk, within a short time, is not advisable. So, make sure you have it in limited quantities.

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A lifestyle journalist with a perennial hunger for all nice things in life - from fashion to food and different cultures. When she is not writing in her favourite coffee spot, she spends her time socializing with people or exploring different cities. ...Read More

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