What do you think about “controversies”? Do you think they add value in our life?
Controversies are created when there is a difference of opinion. It is natural for two people to differ. We form our opinion from our culture, ideology, lifestyle, intelligence, and finally by our experience. The beauty of differences is, it is not necessary to agree with the view of others and it is not always about being right or wrong. Everyone can have their own version. All we need is “to agree to disagree” and maybe that’s what adds zest in life.
But what would happen if controversies formed over consumption of nutritious food? It certainly adds confusion rather than zest.
Reason for different opinions on diet or nutritious food could be attributed to change in lifestyle, free flowing information about various diets and ongoing research related to effects of food on body and their contribution towards illnesses. Too much information usually adds confusion and often at times we fail to make a use of it in a right manner.
One question which I am asked quite often, is “I am thinking of stopping milk. Which milk should I replace with? What is better from oat milk, almond milk, soya milk etc?” So, the question here is, not about whether one should stop milk or not. The question is about finding a substitute to routine milk that we consume. I usually ask them to give me the reason behind stopping milk. I often get to hear, it’s unhealthy.
Consumption of milk carries a special importance in our culture. Over years we have consumed milk and milk products like curd, buttermilk, cream (malai), butter, ghee, paneer etc. freely in our diet. Milk is full of nutrients, good fat, calcium, and protein. 2 to 3 glasses of milk are specifically recommended for small children for their health and better formation of their bone structure in young age. Milk consumption improves brain development and reduces risk of depression. The protein in milk helps to improve quality of skin, hair, teeth etc. Nutrients help boosting immunity and provide protection against disease. Milk also helps relieving acidity, heart burn and can contribute towards managing weight.
With these known benefits, if one still thinks milk is unhealthy, it is a bit surprising for sure. But as I have mentioned above, everyone can have their own view and version. Different opinions over milk have formed due to 3 main reasons. Let’s understand in detail to decide what is right for you.
1) Lactose intolerance: Lactose is a type of sugar which is found in all mammal’s milk. We need lactase enzyme to break down lactose for absorption. Lactase is produced by small intestine and in sufficient quantity in the body of infants and young children. However, milk allergy is quite common among children. Premature babies are more likely to have lactase deficiency and are more prone to develop milk allergies. In this case, one should think of stopping milk.
In case of adults, most of them can produce this enzyme throughout their adulthood. However, lactase production starts decreasing with the age. Other conditions like bowel issues, gluten intolerance etc. can also decrease lactase production which can lead to lactase deficiency and in turn, milk becomes difficult to digest. If one is finding difficult to digest milk, it is advisable to stop milk and check whether body reacts positively or not. If you see positive results, it is advisable to replace milk for good.
2) Quality of milk: Mammals are injected with growth hormones and antibiotics to increase their milk production and to maintain their health. These hormones can enter in our body via consumption of milk. This debate is ongoing and constant. There are various research reports showing contradictory view and exact effect of these hormones on human body is unknown.
If we apply common sense, lactating mothers, take extra care of their diet. They avoid consuming antibiotics, few medicines, caffeine, alcohol, smoking and other harmful substances to make sure it doesn’t enter in the body of baby via milk.
In this scenario, it is always advisable to check source and pick up pasteurized & a good quality product.
3) High fat content: Milk and milk products like paneer, cream, cheese, butter, ghee etc. are high in fat. Over consumption of these products can increase risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cholesterol, and heart disease. It is advisable to use milk and milk products in moderation.
Lastly, I would say, when controversy is created for a nutritious product, one should decide on the base of bio-individuality. It is not right to stop the consumption only because of ongoing debate. One should consider their own health factors and take a cautious call.