Raw milk is becoming more popular. Doctors continue to warn against it
according to Amy Lee, MD, Board-certified physician in internal medicine, clinical nutrition, and obesity medicine and chief of nutrition at NocivikPasteurization can actually provide more nutrition than raw milk. “There’s an assumption that anything unpasteurized is more natural. But in reality, they’re pretty much equal when it comes to benefits. “Pasteurized milk may contain fortified vitamins, minerals and omegas that raw milk doesn’t have.”
What are the risks of drinking raw milk?
Serious health risks can come with drinking unpasteurized milk. “Raw milk has been associated with multiple infections, some of which can have serious or even fatal health consequences,” says Dr. Braha. These infections include Campylobacter, Brucella, Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella, and Escherichia coli (E. coli).
Who can drink raw milk?
Doctors warn against drinking raw milk for everyone, regardless of your age and health condition. Because of the inflammation that can occur, “Individuals who are susceptible to infection or have compromised immunity should not drink raw milk,” says Dr. Lee.
Dr. Bahaa adds that children and pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to infection and should not drink unpasteurized beverages. “For those planning to become pregnant, some infections such as listeria can lead to miscarriage or serious illness for the newborn,” says Dr. Bahaa.
Regardless of your condition, it is highly recommended not to drink raw milk in general. “Even if you are healthy, you are still at risk of infection and serious consequences from drinking raw milk,” Dr. Bahaa continues. “Because of these risks, the FDA has mandated that all milk and dairy products be pasteurized before final sale.”
Why do people think raw milk is beneficial?
Given the serious health risks involved, why should milk become raw? More popular? “There is a lot of misinformation on the internet and social media suggesting that raw milk is better and safer than conventional milk,” says Dr. Bahaa. “This is not based on sound scientific evidence, and multiple studies show there is no benefit to raw milk compared to conventional pasteurized milk. In fact, raw milk puts patients at greater risk of developing serious infections.”
To combat misinformation, Dr. Bahaa does not recommend raw milk to any of his patients, while Dr. Lee encourages her patients to educate themselves. “I recommend doing research, especially if an individual has underlying health conditions, as there are increased risks from raw milk based on the type of condition,” she says.
Raw milk alternatives
Here’s what you can drink without putting your health at risk. “There are multiple ways to get the nutritional value of milk into our diets,” says Dr. Bahaa. “For patients who do not want to drink animal milk, we recommend alternative plant-based milks fortified with the necessary vitamins and nutrients.”
When in doubt, always seek guidance from a health professional. Dr. Bahaa emphasizes: “It is important for patients to consult with their doctor, especially for pregnant mothers, infants and children.”
Ariana Yaptangco is the senior beauty editor at luster. Follow her @arianayap.