Milk has always been hailed as the ultimate source of calcium and vitamin D, and this is the reason why even sa adults, a lot of pf people still drink it. It could be the creamy taste and texture of milk, too, but whatever the reason, more and more people appear to be drinking cow's milk during the pandemic.
According to Nielsen data, sales of cow's milk have gone up to $4.5 billion for the 20-week period that ended on July 18. That's an 11% increase when compared to last year's data.
But do adults really need to drink milk? What are the advantages and disadvantages of consuming full-fat dairy? The answer, according to experts, depends on your sex, age, and health status.
If you ask Vasanti Malik of the Harvard School of Public Health, milk isn't necessary in an adult's diet, "but it can be good for you."
Cow's milk has many nutrients, including vitamin D, protein, and calcium. And for children - who are less likely to have a wider diet and experience accelerated growth - it's an especially easy way to incorporate these nutrients into their diet.
But for adults, these nutrients can be sourced elsewhere. Moreover, Malik added, the growth of adults has stabilized mostly because their nutrient needs aren't as high.
Some of those nutrients, mostly calcium, may come from green vegetables, salmon, lentils, and beans, said Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at New York City's Lenox Hill Hospital. These are also good protein sources.
The National Osteoporosis Foundation also mentions oranges, broccoli, and figs as calcium sources. If everything else fails, explains Malik, then supplements are also effective ways to get vitamin D and calcium.
"There's really not a reason to consume milk unless you like it," Malik said. If you choose to continue to drink milk, she suggests low- or non-fat milk, since full-fat milk has more fat.
If you want to consume alternative or plant-based milk, it is important to check on the product's nutrition label for the amount of protein and sugar.
But according to a report from the University of Oxford, both plant and nut milk is better for the environment than cow's milk if the health benefits are secondary to environmental issues.
Rice, oat, almond, and soy milk all produce lower emissions of carbon and greenhouse gases and use less land and water than cow's milk. If you are aware of the environmental effects, then it will be easier for you to look for another source of certain nutrients and protein.
