Milk is healthy – but only in advertising

Little effective against osteoporosis, but with ingredients that increase the risk of cancer: the advertising fairy tale of the healthy milk is increasingly doubted by new study results. Special main argument of the advocates of frequent milk consumption is the alleged importance of the ingredient calcium, which is actually present in high amounts in milk.

The mineral helps prevent osteoporosis, according to widespread opinion. Especially in older people, this bone weakness often leads to fractures. However, the degree of calcium absorption by humans alone is lower for dairy products than for other calcium-rich foods, especially certain vegetables. 30 percent is milk, while broccoli, Brussels sprouts and leafy lettuces have 40 to 60 percent yields.

A Harvard University study even casts doubt on the general effect of calcium. Harvard Public School for Health researchers tested 75.000 women over a period of twelve years with regard to the effect of milk on their bones. As it turned out, the bones of the test subjects were not more resistant, but were even exposed to a higher risk of fracture. This connection is explained with the overacidification of the body, which is released by frequent milk consumption. For neutralization the body withdraws the bones their calcium supply, which increases the susceptibility to osteoporosis.

For a certain group of people, however, milk consumption is taboo from the outset: on average, 15 percent of the German population suffers from some form of lactose intolerance. But in fact, dairy products pose certain dangers to everyone else as well. For example, many dairy products are high in saturated fat, a risk factor for heart disease. Further studies indicate that women may be at higher risk of ovarian cancer due to the lactose contained in milk. For men, on the other hand, high calcium intake – whether through dairy products or vegetables – is likely to lead to increased susceptibility to prostate cancer. In another long-term Harvard study involving 20.000 male participants, those with at least twice-daily dairy consumption were found to have a 34 percent higher risk of prostate cancer than those who consumed little or no dairy products.

Harvard's nutrition experts claim on their website that they are completely independent of dairy interests. The results of their work seem to confirm this. And one also provides numerous suggestions for substitute products for cow's milk: from soy milk to rice milk to oat milk, there are already some alternative options on the shelves today. The dairy industry could face considerable headaches as a result of the many studies on the downsides of its product.