Is Whole Milk Making a Comeback? Nutritionist warns about its 'health benefits'

Several recent articles claim that whole milk is gaining popularity again, thanks to its “health benefits” with Gen Z.

Read more: Video claiming raw milk can cure lactose intolerance flagged as 'misinformation'

Sales of whole milk (milk that still contains all the fat) Allegedly There was a two per cent increase in the three months to February 2024 compared to the same months a year earlier. It is said that people below 35 years of age are promoting this demand.

Full fat milk has traditionally been the least popular choice among people who drink dairy. Skimmed and semi-skimmed are generally seen as healthier choices due to their relatively low fat content.

However, now, the younger generation is clearly becoming attracted to the nutritional profile of the whole variety. According to a report, whole milk is seeing a “renaissance”. The idea that full-fat milk is healthy comes partly from social media. A broadsheet newspaper quoted a TikTok user as claiming: “In the 80s, everyone was afraid of low-fat milk – but if you're buying fat-free milk you're doing yourself an injustice, because if it “If it's good quality dairy, what's the fat in it? Omega-3 fatty acids.” The TikTok user specified that milk from grass-fed cows has the right nutrients.

Is whole milk really healthy?

While it's true that grass-fed milk contains omega-3 fatty acids, that doesn't mean whole milk is a healthy beverage.

Amy Leahy, BHSc Nutritional and Dietetic Medicine, Head Coach, Amy Leahy, “Consuming fat, especially saturated fat, found in cow's milk, increases the risk of death, especially from cardiovascular diseases, which The number one cause of death worldwide.” overcoming diabetestold plant based news, “While milk from grass-fed cows touts the benefits of omega-3s, the key term is ‘grass-fed’ – emphasizing that the source of the omega-3s is plant-based. “This underscores a fundamental truth: Humans can get omega-3s from plant sources, just as cows can.”

There are many plant-based omega-3 sources. These include chia, hemp, seaweed, or flax seeds. Taking algae supplements is also often recommended. According to Leahy, choosing plant-based sources not only reduces the risk of disease, but also promotes environmental sustainability and animal well-being. “This is a win-win scenario for the welfare of individuals, the planet and the cows,” she said.

milk problem

Man is the only animal that drinks breast milk of another species. The idea that milk is healthy, let alone necessary, is increasingly being questioned by experts.

Milk has been linked to increased risk Disease Such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, Alzheimer's, type 2 diabetes, as well as heart disease. Dairy is also the top source of saturated fat in the American diet.

Read more: Dairy is worse than Coca-Cola, says leading longevity expert

The dairy industry is widely considered cruel. are around 270 million Dairy cows globally, and each suffers a life of exploitation. To produce milk, cows used in the industry must first give birth to a calf. Usually the calf is taken from the mother cow a few hours after birth. Either they would be shot and sold to the veal industry. When the cow's milk dries up, it will be sent to the slaughterhouse.

there is also dairy unsustainable, It is responsible for surrounding four percent Greenhouse gas emissions, uses far more land and water and causes more pollution than plant-based alternatives.

Is Gen Z really buying whole milk?

While it may be true that a large number of youth are opting for whole milk, the younger generation is generally consuming much less liquid milk.

Read more: Company creates the first vegan-certified precision fermentation dairy

A report A report published last year found that only eight percent of Gen Z (born between 1997 and 2012) were buying cow's milk, while 37 percent of baby boomers (born between 1946 to 1964) were buying cow's milk. Were.

Another study on Gen Z's dairy habits found that nearly half of the generation feels embarrassed to order dairy, and more than a quarter think giving up animal products is the best thing for the environment. Young people are generally turning to dairy alternatives, notably almond, soy and oat milk, whose popularity is skyrocketing.