Advocates of raw milk may think they are making a healthy choice, but drinking any kind of animal milk poses certain health risks to humans. In fact studies have shown that the naturally occurring hormones in animal milk may boost prostate and ovarian cancer growth in some people.
Raw cow’s milk can be a source of serious food-borne illnesses, including campylobacteriosis and E. coli. Like the pasteurized cow’s milk most people drink, raw cow’s milk also contains fat and cholesterol.
Diets high in fat and saturated fat can increase the risk of obesity and contribute to the development of chronic diseases, such as cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.
We have better options for obtaining essential nutrients. Calcium, for example, is not a concern on a dairy-free diet. It can be found in soymilk, green leafy vegetables, beans and many other nutritious foods that don’t have the health risks associated with milk–raw or otherwise.
