Is the Full Truth About Milk an Ideal or a Poison?
Julia Wójcik
2026-03-24
5 min. read
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Milk, a contentious product, was once hailed as the premier source of calcium and complete protein. Nowadays, it's being supplanted by fashionable plant-based beverages to forestall cardiovascular diseases and osteoporosis that milk may induce. What is the truth?
The authentic details about milk
What is milk? It is a secretion from the mammary glands essential for nourishing offspring. In 100 grams of milk with a fat content of 3.2%, there is: 61 kcal, 3 grams of protein, 3.2 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbohydrates, 113 milligrams of calcium, 10 milligrams of magnesium, 132 milligrams of potassium, and 0.17 milligrams of vitamin B2. There has been a lot of controversy surrounding milk. Particularly concerning are the allegations of the harmful effects of milk and dairy products on health. Some even claim that milk is addictive. The theory that consuming milk may increase the risk of fractures, cardiovascular diseases, or anemia, however, finds no confirmation in research. It is worth analyzing all the arguments for and against to determine whether anyone should ever give up milk.
Milk – Reasons to consider giving up its consumption
One of the main reasons to consider limiting milk consumption is lactose intolerance. Lactose, also known as milk sugar, is broken down in the digestive tract by the enzyme lactase, which comes from the brush border of the small intestine mucosa. In case of lactase deficiency, this sugar is not digested and passes to the large intestine, where it undergoes fermentation by bacteria, leading to bloating and diarrhea. However, it is worth noting that people with lactose intolerance often tolerate it in certain amounts. Moreover, fermented dairy products contain significantly less lactose, so one can consume more of them. However, it is important to note that lactose-free milk has a higher glycemic index. In this product, milk sugar is already broken down into simple sugars such as glucose and galactose, which leads to faster absorption and a more pronounced increase in blood sugar levels.
A multitude of arguments in favor of consuming milk
Milk is primarily a superb source of high-quality protein, calcium, magnesium, and vitamin B2. This is especially significant because most diets are deficient in calcium. Only a few people are capable of consuming at least 800 mg daily. This is achievable only after incorporating 3 servings of dairy products into the daily diet, as recommended by the Food and Nutrition Institute. Studies on students aged 15-18 have shown that higher milk intake correlates with lower body weight and lower BMI in girls. Epidemiological studies also confirm the potential existence of such a milk-dependent diet. Milk fat, contained in milk, is a source of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). CLA is attributed with many positive properties, including the prevention of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and obesity. Various isomers of this acid can act in different ways. It is believed that CLA contributes to maintaining a healthy body weight by increasing energy expenditure at rest and modulating the release of adiponectin, leptin, and cytokines.
Thorough Overview
Milk should not be regarded as something harmful. It is a source of many valuable nutrients such as calcium. Specifically, the consumption of dairy products that have undergone fermentation is recommended as they contain probiotic bacteria that are beneficial to the body and have a lower sugar content. Reports on the harmfulness of milk are typically unsupported by scientific research. Elimination diets should only be practiced if there is a clear necessity for their implementation. They usually cause more harm than good.
