Why drinking raw milk can be dangerous to your health

Milk and dairy products are essential for overall health as they contain vital vitamins and minerals needed for healthy bones, improved digestion and cellular repair. However, in India, the common practice of drinking raw milk has been under the radar for some time now, especially among experts.

Although in many areas of the country, drinking raw milk is considered a natural food with a superior nutrient profile, containing more amino acids, antimicrobials, vitamins, minerals and fatty acids, experts argue against this view, suggesting that drinking raw milk may have health benefits. dangerous to health.

HARMFUL EFFECTS OF DRINKING RAW MILK

In India, the standard for milk consumption is to get the milk directly from the farm and boil it before consuming it. However, recently, drinking unpasteurized milk has become increasingly popular, especially thanks to social media trends.

Many people believe that raw milk does not cause lactose intolerance because it contains lactase, which is secreted by the “good” or probiotic bacteria present in raw milk. Probiotics are beneficial for maintaining the gut microbiome, which means healthy digestion.

However, studies, including those from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have shown that raw milk does not contain probiotics. In fact, drinking raw milk comes with several health risks.

Raw milk contains several types of bacteria such as E. coli, coliform bacteria, salmonella, listeria, staphylococcus and others. To make milk suitable for human consumption, these pathogens must be eliminated.

• E. coli. This bacterium causes enteritis, urinary tract infection, etc. when it exceeds the threshold level. It shouldn’t be in milk.
• exceeds the threshold level. It shouldn’t be in milk.
• Coliform bacteria. Their presence indicates an unsanitary production process.
• Salmonella – causes food poisoning and typhoid fever.
• Listeria – Causes listeriosis infections, which can cause symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and difficulty breathing.
• Staphylococcus – causes food poisoning, diarrhea and gastritis.

According to the Indian government, raw milk should be boiled as early as possible so that it kills the bacteria present.

Dr Vibhu Kawatra, Senior Consultant Pediatric Pulmonologist, Vibhu Nursing Home, New Delhi: “Raw milk is not recommended to drink as it may contain bacteria such as E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria and Campylobacter, which can cause serious gastrointestinal problems. infections. also contain pathogens that lead to foodborne illnesses and pose health risks, especially to children, the elderly and pregnant women.”

Dr. Kawatra added that long-term consumption of raw milk can harm the kidneys, leading to E. coli-related infections and even kidney failure.

Dr. Cyriac Abby Phillips, also known as “The Liver Doc,” urged people not to drink raw milk because the bacterial infections it contains are untreatable in a recent post on X. “Some of them can ruin your life (for example, listeria can attack the brain and repeatedly cause seizures in your baby) or kill you (a severe salmonella infection can go into shock and shut down the heart and brain for a limited time),” Dr. Phillips wrote . in his post.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “germs in raw milk may be especially harmful to people with weakened immune systems (such as transplant patients and people with HIV/AIDS, cancer and diabetes), children, elderly people and pregnant women.”

Drinking raw or unpasteurized milk may cause vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, including flu-like symptoms.

Pasteurization is necessary to ensure the safety of milk. Additionally, much of the country’s unregulated milk production involves the use of chemicals, which is a cause for concern. “It is best to buy pasteurized milk from a reputable source and boil it before drinking,” Dr. Kawatra emphasized.