Is Milk Bad for You

This question has arisen quite recently. All these years, no one dared to question the sacrosanct nature of milk. But recently, doctors have put their heads together and pointed to some of the less flattering aspects of milk. With words like saturated fats and calories flying around everywhere you go, the question is one that is really going to vex you and needs immediate attention.

Well, one needs to look at things comprehensively. Advocates for milk will say that milk supplies nutrients. The opposition says that milk supplies unnecessary saturated fats. In this article, I'm going to give an unbiased view about milk stating its advantages and disadvantages. And after reading them, I'll let you decide on the benefits or demerits of drinking milk. The onus is on you to see which of the points apply to you, then weigh the pros and the cons of consuming milk.

Advantages of Milk
When we were kids, our parents always told us that milk is good for us. Here's why.

1. Source of Proteins: Milk is a very rich source of dietary protein. And if you follow a vegetarian diet, it is one of the richest forms of protein available.
2. Source of Calcium: Calcium is required by the body for strengthening the bones. Calcium is especially important for children as their bones are in a growing stage. Calcium is also good for the growth of teeth. And milk is a good source of naturally available calcium.
3. Source of Vitamin D: Apart from exposure to early morning sunlight, very few things supply the body with the required amount of vitamin D. Milk is one of those few substances that do.
4. Other Nutrients: Other nutrients that are supplied by milk include Vitamin E, Omega 3 essential fatty acids, potassium, zinc and magnesium.

Disadvantages of Milk
There are also some disadvantages that drinking milk entails. Here are some of the answers to the question : Why is milk bad for you?

1. High Calories: For people who suffer from obesity and are out to lose weight, milk is going to dent their plans severely, as milk is high in calories and contributes more calories than what is required by the body.
2. High in Saturated Fats: Milk does not only add extra calories, but it adds extra fat calories. And the fats, being saturated fats, are also of the unhealthy kind. So that is again detrimental to those who are looking for weight loss products.
3. Lactose Intolerance Problems: Milk contains a high quantity of lactose, which is a milk-sugar. Many people find lactose very hard to digest and hence drinking milk can cause stomach upsets for people.
4. Milk Allergies: People who have milk allergies get rashes and digestive problems when they consume milk. Milk is best avoided by such people

So these were some of the advantages and disadvantages of drinking milk. Now it is up to you to decide whether you want to drink milk regularly. If you are lactose intolerant or are basically allergic to milk, then milk IS bad for you. But for those trying to lose weight, you can try skimmed milk or other low fat varieties of milk. If you do not fall in any of these categories, then there is no doubt that milk is good for you. That is why milk is known as 'wholesome food'. It is a lot of nutrients all packed into one! Milk is perhaps the most important constituent of a child's diet as the calcium content in milk aids the growth of bones and strengthens them. It is also useful for children as they may be in the stage where they lose their milk teeth and are growing new teeth.

Read more articles on nutritional facts of milk here:

• Nutritional Facts on Milk
• Milk Nutrition Facts