When we were children, we were instilled in the absolute and unshakable knowledge that milk is good for the body. Years have passed, the absolute goal of the past has become a debunked myth of today and now many people are confused about whether it is better to consume more milk or less. We used Forefront to summarize everything you need to know in less than 250 words.
Milk consumption has many benefits: it is a very good source of calcium and vitamin D, both important for bone health, reducing the risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures in advanced age; It provides high-quality protein, which helps build and maintain muscle mass; It contains the different amino acids that the body needs; and nutrients like riboflavin, vitamin B12, phosphorus, and potassium.
However, the milk we consume may also be a source of problems: the milk from cows that are specially fed to increase their milk production (and as is well known, Israeli cows are the world leaders in milk yield – about 11,7 liters a year) contain various hormones that are unhealthy for prolonged consumption in large quantities, especially after childhood; It may also contain antibiotics used to vaccinate cows; In addition, after puberty, many people around the world develop some level of lactose intolerance, due to reduced production of lactase, which causes them problems when consuming milk; Some types of milk are high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease; Another aspect of milk consumption is the environmental impact of this industry, which increases greenhouse gas emissions.
Therefore, in infancy and childhood it is very useful to consume milk as long as you are not sensitive to it – but after puberty, it is better to reduce its consumption, except for yogurts recommended for their probiotic properties, and prefer substitutes. In Israel there are quite a few types of milk substitutes, made from soy, oats, almonds or rice.
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