An udder controversy

Is cow's milk "unnatural" for humans to drink?

IN a nutshell Hello everyone, and happy World Compliment Day! Your homework for the day is to give at least one heartfelt compliment. We'll go first: You're awesome for reading Wellness Wire and being committed to your wellness journey. 🥰 Today, we'll be focusing on a surprisingly polarizing topic: milk. Once the quintessential American beverage, this creamy drink has become clouded with baseless claims, including that it's unhealthy and "unnatural" for humans to consume. We get to the bottom of the controversy below. Here's what else we're sipping on today: • what's the best replacement for cow's milk • a small appliance that can bring a big upgrade to your life • an update on Bruce Willis' health • everything you need to know about the G-spot and more health stories you need Stay sharp, Ginger Wojcik Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Ginger Wojcik March 1, 2023 • 6 min read

what's got us buzzing Is it "unnatural" for humans to drink milk from cows? Earlier this year, our social team posted what they thought was an uncontroversial list of the health benefits of cow's milk. But after a flood of comments, including "Sponsored by big dairy?" and "Cow's milk is for cows. This is so out of date. Get a clue. Go dairy free," it became clear we had struck a frothy nerve. And it wasn't just us. The comment section of a recent New York Times post on milk shows a similar deluge of anti-dairy sentiment. So, how did America's darling drink — once gulped down at a rate of 45 gallons a year per person — fall from grace? For starters, milk has a notable list of cons, including: As much as 68% (!) of the world's population is allergic to it. Farming cattle is a key contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, water pollution, and more. Commercial dairy farming is wrought with animal cruelty. However, many of the criticisms against milk are a lot less factual, including the common refrain that it's "unnatural" for humans to drink. "There are lots of foods we eat that may feel natural to someone or not, depending on your definition," says Healthline Senior Nutrition Editor and registered dietitian Lisa Valente. "Milk itself comes to us relatively unprocessed and rich in nutrients, and I think if you play the natural/unnatural game with any food, you could make a case for either or both." In fact, cow's milk contains 18 of the 22 nutrients humans need to survive, and research has linked some of them to: improved bone health improved heart health lower cancer risk fewer depressive symptoms To be clear: No one is saying you need cow's milk to be healthy. But the argument that milk is universally unhealthy is clouded by decades of peer-reviewed research showing its many benefits (for those who can stomach it, that is). tl;dr: Once America's drink of choice, cow's milk has become a source of heated debate. One common argument against milk is that it's "unnatural" for humans to drink, but there's a lack of evidence to back this up. While you don't need milk to be healthy, decades of research have shown that drinking milk has a range of health benefits.

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say what   Look who's talking "Bruce always believed in using his voice in the world to help others, and to raise awareness about important issues both publicly and privately. We know in our hearts that –– if he could today — he would want to respond by bringing global attention and a connectedness with those who are also dealing with this debilitating disease and how it impacts so many individuals and their families." – Emma, Demi, Rumer, Scout, Tallulah, Mabel, and Evelyn     In a public statement, Bruce Willis' family released more details about the 67-year-old actor's recent diagnosis with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). The condition, which is progressive and has no cure, affects the parts of the brain responsible for personality, behavior, and language. The Willis family has taken to spreading awareness about FTD, which is the most common type of dementia in people between the ages of 45 and 65. They urge others dealing with FTD to find support through @theaftd and theaftd.org.

Wednesday Kick Start What's the best replacement for cow's milk? If you're allergic, concerned with animal welfare and environmentalism, or just hate the taste, fear not. You can say mooove over to cow's milk and hello to alternatives like dairy-free milk. Here are things to keep in mind when swapping cow's milk out of your diet. There are four nutrients in particular found in cow's milk that can be hard to get enough of elsewhere: potassium, calcium, vitamin D, and protein. "If you don't drink milk, you'll want to eat those nutrients from other foods," says Valente. The nondairy option that checks off most of these boxes is soy milk, which is naturally rich in protein and magnesium and commonly fortified with calcium, vitamin D, vitamin A, and other B vitamins. Pea-based milks are also notably nutritious, as they're high in key micronutrients phosphorus, zinc, and selenium, as well as protein. But what about crowd favorites like almond, oat, and hemp milk? Well, like John, Paul, George, and Ringo, each has unique strengths. • Oat milk is low in calories and high in fiber, including beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol. • Hemp milk contains all the essential amino acids plus omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. • Almond milk is low in calories, fat, and carbs but also in nutrients, protein, and fiber. (Did you know most almond milk is made mostly of water?) Ultimately, giving up cow's milk shouldn't be an issue for your health as long as you maintain a balanced and diverse diet. If you're fully plant-based, you may need to be especially intentional about getting certain nutrients, which you can read more about here. For more information on the nutrition of nondairy milks, check out our guide here.

health stories you need What we're reading next 💤 Seasonal sleeping: Why we need more rest in the winter. We may not hibernate like bears, but we do crave extra shut-eye during the colder months, according to new research. ✨ ️Everything you need to know about the G-spot. Get the facts about this erotic, commonly misunderstood nether region, including how to explore your own. 💦 A urine test for pancreatic and prostate cancer could be a game-changer. The new form of testing could help diagnose cancer at an earlier stage, increasing the odds of survival. 🔉 News anchor Laurie Dhue on conquering alcohol use disorder and addiction. This week on the IMH podcast, host Gabe Howard talks with the acclaimed journalist about her past.

you're up Personally, I'm a fan of a lot of different milks. But I'm very particular about how I use each one: almond milk for cereal, oat milk for matcha lattes, and half-and-half (from cows, duh) for coffee. I love a tall glass of full fat whole milk, though I rarely buy it since I'm trying to limit my overall dairy intake. Pea milk and rice milk can take a hike, but hemp milk is fine in a pinch. OK, now that I've gotten all that off my chest, I want to hear from you all. We want to know: What's your go-to milk option? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may share your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)

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