Raw milk? I have thoughts
I was recently listening to a podcast in which the host (or guest? I can’t remember) was saying how she has been drinking raw milk. I know this is also a big trend on Instagram and TikTok, mostly among influencers as opposed to health professionals (and there is… a reason for that). So let’s talk about why drinking raw milk is mostly a terrible idea.
Pasteurization: a groundbreaking technology
Raw milk is simply milk and dairy that have not gone through the Pasteurization process, which greatly prevents the likelihood of bacterial contamination and improves shelf life by heating milk to a specific temperature. Pasteurization has been around since the 1920’s, and has really changed the game in terms of illness associated with consumption of dairy. In fact, the sale of raw milk is illegal in many states because consuming it can be so dangerous - especially for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, and the elderly.
Why raw milk then?
It’s well-known that the Pasteurization process can reduce the amount of certain vitamins found in milk, and this appears to be what social media has latched onto. The idea that raw milk is “more nutritious” and (good lord) “less processed” is very much misinformed. Pasteurized milk still contains important vitamins and minerals in quantities that are beneficial to us, and it’s processed in a way that helps prevent us from getting sick. I could also argue that raw milk is also processed, as it has to get from a cow’s udder to a container to a farmer’s market or grocery store in some way, right? That’s processing.
Real concerns
According to the CDC, raw dairy products are 800+ times more likely to cause serious illness compared to Pasteurized dairy products. Many of the potential pathogens that can contaminate raw milk, like listeria and e.coli, are extremely harmful to kids and pregnant women. Even if you’re obtaining raw milk from the cleanest farm or facility, there is no way to guarantee it is not or will not become contaminated with bacteria.
The bottom line
I am all about providing useful, science-backed and practice-based evidence and encouraging clients (and readers!) to make choices that are meaningful to them. I don’t really think it’s my job to tell anyone what to do and fully believe in body autonomy. I will say, though, that this trend definitely falls under the category of “dangerous with absolutely no health benefits,” and hopefully will fade sooner rather than later.
Thanks for reading!