Is Dairy Good for You?

Dairy is considered a good source of calcium for our body. This is one of the main things why many dairy producers all over the world push or promote the increase of dairy in the diet. We have already heard countless commercials endorsing milk and other dairy products as a way in getting more calcium for the body. However, is it really healthy to consume dairy products? Is dairy good for you?

Discovering the Truth behind Dairy
Although calcium is already proven to be an essential mineral for the body, the safety of the process of acquiring this particular mineral still remains doubtful or questionable. Dairy products these days are not similar to the ones we have 20 or 30 years ago. Because of these differences, dairy may not be as good for the body as it used to be. One of the most common examples of dairy is none other than milk. Most milk products that are bought in local grocery stores comes from cows that are usually fed with high protein grains that are pumped full of hormones and antibiotics in order to increase productivity. This is not entirely a good thing since the nutrient quality and the health benefits of the said dairy product are already significantly reduced. In other words, all the chemicals and hazardous substances introduced to the cow in order to provide better outcome or production can be transferred to the dairy products they deliver. This alone makes milk not entirely the fresh and healthy milk that we have before.

Aside from the facts mentioned above, many dairy producers these days already use pasteurized and homogenized milk in order to produce quality dairy products. These processes are said to be effective in removing all the bacteria in the milk. However, these can also eliminate the necessary proteins from milk making them useless for the body and can even become harmful. Since these processes make use of high temperatures, it can also destroy phosphatase, which is an essential enzyme that helps the body in absorbing the calcium found in milk. Exposing the milk to very high temperatures can also destroy useful vitamins such as B12, B6 and vitamin C. In addition to these, pasteurization can also kill all the good bacteria in the milk that aid our body in digestion.

Homogenization of the milk can also alter the fatty contents and as well as the good cholesterol found in milk. This allows easy formation of free radicals, which are associated to the formation of cancer in the body. Most dairy producers homogenize the milk in order to give it a more universal texture and as well as keep the globules of fat from floating to the surface. Aside from these harmful processes, most milk-producing cows are also bred in order have an overactive supply of milk. This is done in order for the farmers to get the most out of a cow as possible. However, this can also lead to mastitis as well as other milk duct infections. With the possibility of having infection problems, cows are then fed with more antibiotics and other hormones in order to keep producing.

Defining Good Milk
However, not all milks are bad for our health. There are also producers who produce milk in a very natural and safe process. Good milk can be acquired from cows that are grass fed like Jerseys and Guernsey and not the modern Holsteins, which are forced to over produce milk. Grass fed cows can reduce the risks of milk-producing infections. This type of milk is not pasteurized or homogenized thus preventing the elimination of all the milk benefits. Aside from this, calcium is also present in this type of milk which can be absorbed by the body easily with the help of the phosphatase. Some say that the processed milk tastes better compared to the milk extracted from grass-fed cows; however, the taste does not provide us with better health.

Non fat dairy products are also very beneficial in keeping our body figures in good condition. Aside from having fewer calories compared to other products, the calcium found in milk can also aid in breaking down the body fat as well. Because of this, it is better for us to choose non fat milk or dairy products whenever we are on a diet.

In summary, dairy is definitely not a bad thing or type of food for our body. However, what makes it harmful for our body is the process of it being made. This is why it also helpful for us to try out other types of dairy products. We can try raw milk or even use goat’s milk since these are said to be healthier than consuming the regular milk from cows. Nevertheless, we should always put into consideration where and how the dairy product is made before deciding upon which food item to try out.

These are some of the important facts regarding the benefits and precautions in eating or consuming dairy products such as milk.