There are many foods that are very healthy, but when consumed in large amounts they can be bad for our health.
In this article we will deal with milk, as one of the most important food items in each household. We all know that milk is rich in nutrients that can improve our health, but what will happen if we drink too much milk? How much milk is okay and how much is too much? Read along and find out, but first we will tell you some basic things about milk.
More about Milk
Milk is a pale liquid that is produced by mammals and it is the main source of nutrition for all infant mammals. Milk is an agricultural product and it is extracted from non-human mammals during pregnancy or after that period. People all around the world use milk as one of the most important food products. Milk is processed into many dairy products, such as yogurt, butter, cream, ice cream or cheese.
Also, some modern industrial products are made of milk, such as powdered milk, whey protein, condensed milk and other products. Milk is a great source of calcium, potassium, vitamin D and other nutrients. Due to high calcium content, milk can strengthen bones and prevent osteoporosis. It has a lot of health benefits, but how much milk is good for us?
Can We Drink Too Much Milk?
We all know that milk is very healthy. Experts often recommend us to drink more milk in order to have stronger bones and immunity. But, a latest research found that milk might not be as good as it has been believed to be. If you drink large amounts of milk, it can lead to many health problems.
Milk is rich in lactose and galactose that can increase oxidative stress and chronic inflammation. This might be the main reason why you should not drink milk in large quantities. It is recommended to take two or three serves of dairy every day. It means that 2-3 glasses of milk are more than enough as a daily portion.
Side Effects of Drinking Too Much Milk
Drinking too much milk can lead to weight gain, especially if you drink full-fat milk. If you have problems with weight, it is better to choose skimmed milk. Skimmed milk contains about 90 calories per cup, while whole milk contains about 150 calories. It is good to know that milk can affect iron absorption, so it is possible that people who consume too much milk become deficient in iron. It usually happens to small children and it can lead to anemia. Milk is also rich in natural acids, so that large amounts of milk can cause arthritis and chronic inflammations.
Too much milk can also cause problems in the gastrointetsinal tract. There are some people who are lactose intolerant. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance are abdominal cramping, diarrhea, gas, nausea and vomiting. These symptoms usually appear within two hours after consuming milk. It is also possible to develop lactose intolerance in adolescence or even in adulthood. Some people have allergy to milk and the symptoms appear only a few minutes after consuming milk.
Also, it is found that too much milk is associated with an increased risk of hip fracture. It has been found that dairy products in general can cause breast, colon or prostate cancer. Some studies have shown that drinking more than three glasses of milk daily can increase the risk of early death. But, studies have shown that women are more affected than men. Women who drank three or more glasses of milk every day showed a big increase in mortality. The higher risk of mortality is related to all types of milk, regardles of whether it is a skimmed milk, half-fat milk or full-fat milk.
Summary
As we all know, milk is rich in nutrients and it is especially important for bone health. But, you have seen in this article that drinking too much milk is not good for our health.
Although milk has many health benefits for us, too much milk can be harmful. It can lead to many health issues, so you should limit your daily intake of milk.
