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Still drinking cow’s milk?

Milk in general

Cow’s Milk is currently the subject of frequent criticism. Symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, indigestion, breathing difficulties and skin reactions due to lactose intolerance occur in about 15% of German adults and in around 25% in Europe. Milk is more divisive than almost any other foodstuff. Some swear by the important, healthy ingredients – including protein, calcium, potassium, magnesium, iodine and various fat-soluble vitamins – others see milk as completely overrated and stress that it is not without reason that many adults develop an intolerance. Worse still, the milk comes from animals that are very worrisome because of factory farming and disease. In addition, anti-milk activists claim that milk promotes allergies, skin problems, asthma, diabetes and even cancer.

It is known that many dairy products contain hormones that could disturb the physiological and pathological functions of the body. Research has shown that natural hormones in dairy products can have biological effects on the body. Milk drinkers tend to have a higher concentration of the growth factor in the blood, which is likely to help children who drink milk grow more. The German Society for Nutrition continues to recommend one glass a day because it assumes that moderate consumption of dairy products does not entail any health disadvantages. As always, it’s the crowd!

Anyone who likes milk and tolerates it well does not have to do without it. If you do not want to drink milk, look for a good alternative. Today’s supermarkets offer us a variety of alternatives. However, it is worth taking a look at the back of the packaging, as additives and chemicals are often used, which can have a rather negative effect on health. Avoid additives such as corn syrup, partially hydrogenated soy oil, natural flavours, carrageen, sugar and soy. These can cause digestive problems, inflammation and allergic reactions, lead to increased cholesterol levels and heart diseases, imbalance the hormonal balance and increase the risk of developing breast and cervical cancer.

Alternatives to conventional cow's milk

Coconut milk: Coconut milk contains many nutrients, including magnesium, phosphorus, iron and potassium. It also contains lauric acid, a rare medium-chain fatty acid that is easily absorbed by the body and used for energy production. Because of the high amount of calories, coconut milk should be consumed very consciously.

Almond milk: Rich in unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants and probiotic components, almond milk is one of the most widespread vegetable milk products. It is supposed to promote the growth of healthy intestinal bacteria

Oat milk: Unfortunately, many of the good nutrients such as potassium or magnesium are lost during the processing of oat milk, but it still has a special type of sugar that regulates digestion. Disadvantage is, however, that no calcium is contained.
Rice milk: This milk is rich in calories and low in nutrients, but is particularly suitable for allergy sufferers because it is free of lactose, milk protein and gluten. It is rather neutral in taste

Soy milk: Soy milk is very suitable for allergy sufferers because it is lactose-, milk protein- and gluten-free and contains healthy substances such as folic acid and vegetable proteins. When you buy soy milk with soy from Europe, which has an organic seal and protects genetic engineering.

Which milk should you buy now?

  • If the idea of sustainability, animal welfare, climate and environmental protection is important to you, then plant milk is the choice, because ecologically speaking, it is basically the “rounder” product.
  • When buying vegetable milk, look for unsweetened organic quality. The soy or cereal used should come from European or even German cultivation
  • Animal milk should also come from organic farming, at best even from regional suppliers. This ensures that no genetic engineering is used, that the dairy cows are kept under better living conditions and that the CO2 footprint of the milk is low.

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