Pros & Cons of Drinking Milk

For most people, drinking milk is a good idea.

The health benefits of milk used to be unquestioned and a glass of milk was the standard accompaniment to just about every meal. Although milk still has its proponents, more studies have been released pointing out some of its shortcomings, especially when it comes to fat and processing.

Bone Health

Milk is a significant source of calcium as well as vitamin D, two essential components to building and maintaining strong bones and preventing osteoporosis. Almost all of the body's calcium is stored in the bones and teeth to support their structure. Vitamin D helps the body take in and hold on to that calcium. When there is not enough calcium in the body, the bones begin to break down.

One 8-ounce glass contains around 300 mg of calcium. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, adults should drink three cups of milk per day.

Weight Loss

A 2010 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that dieting adults who drank at least two glasses of milk each day lost an average of 12 pounds more than adults who drank little or no milk. Milk can help people feel more full and prevent hunger, and low-fat milk is a healthier choice than high-sugar fruit juices and sodas. Although the link between drinking milk and weight loss has not been clearly established, researchers believe the increased calcium consumption leads to a greater loss of fat through the stool.

Research has not been able to verify that drinking milk has a direct effect on weight loss. Other studies, like the one published in 2008 by Nutritional Reviews, have shown that drinking milk can cause people to gain weight.

Heart Health

The Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine claims that the saturated fat found in milk can lead to heart disease. However, low-fat or skim milk may be heart-healthy. According to a 2008 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking just one glass of low-fat milk a day reduced an adult's chance of developing heart disease by 37 percent.

Cancer

The genetically engineered hormones found in some milk can have an impact on the hormones in humans. Some studies have linked processed milk with an increased incidence of hormone-based cancers like breast, prostate and ovarian cancers. When cows are given the hormone Recombinant Bovine Somatotropin (rBST), their milk production may increase, but in turn they can become quite ill and infected. The infection is passed into milk and on to the consumer.

References

• United States Department of Agriculture: Inside the Pyramid
• AOL: News: Drinking Milk While on Diet Boosts Weight Loss, Study Finds
• LA Times: Too Much Milk?
• New York Times: Health Guide: Calcium in Diet
• Medical News Today: New Research Links Drinking Lowfat Milk To Lower Risk For Heart Disease
• Healthy Child: Hormonal Milk and Meat: A Dangerous Public Health Risk

Resources

• Mayo Clinic: End the guesswork with these nutrition guidelines