Do humans need milk throughout life?

by Somya Agrawal

Cow or buffalo milk has been considered one of the most nutrient-dense foods for decades. In fact, for ages, cow milk has been trusted as a complete food loaded with energy, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and good fat. Well, this is partially true. 

Returning to the roots, the first form of milk ever fed to humans, known as colostrum, is thicker and yellow in color. It is one of the most potent and nutrient-loaded milk ever known to mankind. When a newborn comes into the world, the mother feeds colostrum to the baby for 2-4 days, after which it naturally declines, and the mother’s mature milk is produced. 

The mother’s mammary glands naturally produce colostrum and mature milk. Unlike packaged animal milk, it is entirely free from contamination, adulteration, or hormones.

Mother’s milk is the purest form of milk present in nature. Approximately till 2 years of age, a mother feeds the milk to his baby, after which milk production naturally stops. Mother’s milk is generously loaded with nutrients, antioxidants, and antibodies that naturally build the immune system. 

Do We Need Milk Throughout Life? 

A clear No! Research studies prove that “restriction of cow milk consumption can have an enormous impact on the prevention of epidemic diseases like obesity, diabetes mellitus, cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and acne.” Said that milk restriction can avoid a range of health complaints. 

As a rule of nature, a human female stops producing milk after 1.5 or 2 years of delivery. This indicates nature’s philosophy that humans do not need milk after 2 years of birth. Hence, a baby who is sufficiently fed his/her mother’s milk does not require additional supplementation of cow or buffalo milk ever again. Mother’s milk is the richest source of nutrients and antibodies that build the immune system.  

Adverse Effects Of Milk on Human Health

By eliminating animal milk from the diet. One can avoid deadly health conditions like-

  • Weak and fragile bone
  • lactose intolerance
  • Comedonal acne 
  • Alzheimer’s disease 
  • Ovarian cancer 
  • High cholesterol 
  • Hormonal imbalance 

Is There Any Alternative to Cow Milk?

Cow milk or other animal milk contains contamination, saturated fat, & stress hormones. For milk lovers, Experts suggest healthy alternatives to animal milk, such as coconut, soy, pea, oat, almond, cashew, peanut, or hemp milk.

summing up

For many people, animal milk is a staple part of their diet. However, it is not required from a nutritional point of view. Studies worldwide now prove that the human body needs milk for the first 2 years of life. After this, the dietary requirements can be sufficiently met with a wholesome diet that includes ghee, butter, curd, buttermilk, green veggies, whole grains, millet, and pulses. 

Hence, avoiding animal milk can help to prevent serious health issues like diabetes and obesity, leading to a healthier and happier life.