By now, most of us know that ultra-processed meals aren’t so nice for us, and {that a} weight loss program wealthy in entire meals is correlated with improved coronary heart well being. However can an emphasis on meals of their purest kind ever be taken too far?
Completely, as evidenced by the most recent TikTok development: consuming uncooked milk. As in, uncooked milk straight from the cow that hasn’t been pasteurized.
When you’ll discover all kinds of opinions surrounding uncooked milk, it’s simple to search out TikTokers who swear by it for well being causes — they are saying it has extra vitamins and fewer chemical compounds, it’s simpler to digest, the record goes on. In the event you’re contemplating including uncooked, unpasteurized cow’s milk to your weight loss program (which can require some journey, as uncooked milk will not be authorized in each state), learn this primary.
Does uncooked milk really comprise extra vitamins than pasteurized milk?
Perhaps, however the advantages don’t outweigh the dangers.
“Raw milk contains natural vitamins and minerals. Some studies suggest that pasteurization can reduce the levels of certain heat-sensitive vitamins like vitamins C and B,” defined Zachary Cartwright, lead meals scientist at Aqualab. “However, milk is not a significant source of these vitamins, so the overall nutritional impact may be minimal.”
Registered dietitian Maggie Michalczyk agreed.
“Raw milk may contain more amino acids, antimicrobials, vitamins and minerals and fatty acids than pasteurized milk, however, more evidence is needed to support these claims,” she mentioned. “While there may be some nutritional benefits to drinking raw milk, it’s not something I’m currently recommending people go out of their way to consume.” As a result of uncooked milk can enable dangerous micro organism to develop, Michalczyk emphasised that people who find themselves pregnant, youngsters, older adults and people with weakened immune methods ought to use warning and keep away from consuming it.
In keeping with Sam Martin, senior director and meals security skilled at Microbac Laboratories, opposite to well-liked perception (no less than on TikTok), the pasteurization course of doesn’t considerably alter the dietary worth of milk.
“According to several scientific studies, the protein and fat levels in pasteurized milk are essentially the same as those in raw milk,” he mentioned. “The mineral content is virtually unchanged because minerals are stable at pasteurization temperatures. There is a slight reduction in vitamin C content, but milk is not a significant source of vitamin C in the first place.”
He additionally added that if in case you have a meals allergy, lactose intolerance or points with digesting milk, uncooked milk gained’t make a distinction.
Uncooked Milk And Meals Security
You’ve most likely seen quite a lot of headlines about listeria outbreaks in latest weeks. If these are regarding to you in any respect, belief us (and the specialists we spoke with) on this one: Consuming uncooked milk might be extra harmful than consuming deli meat. “Raw milk can harbor dangerous microorganisms like campylobacter, e. coli, listeria, salmonella and several others that cause food poisoning,” Martin mentioned. “It can also be a source of mycobacterium tuberculosis and m. bovis, which is what causes tuberculosis and bovine tuberculosis.”
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As Michalczyk talked about, these with weakened immune methods are particularly in danger for getting meals poisoning from uncooked milk, and the implications may be dire. As in, it may contain greater than spending a day or two on the bathroom. “E. coli O157:H7 [which can be found in raw milk] can lead to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), which can cause kidney failure and lead to death,” Martin mentioned.
Cartwright emphasizes that consuming uncooked milk will at all times carry some danger of foodborne sickness, however if you happen to actually need to drink it for no matter motive, precautions may be taken to make it somewhat safer. “Risks can be minimized by ensuring the raw milk comes from a reputable source with stringent hygiene and health standards and the raw milk is refrigerated at all times prior to consumption and consumed before its expiration date,” he mentioned.
State Legal guidelines And The Pasteurization Course of
If uncooked milk is so harmful, why is it authorized in some states? “The Grade A Pasteurized Milk Ordinance (PMO) was established by the FDA and defines the processes and procedures necessary to produce safe milk,” Martin defined. “However, the FDA’s jurisdiction is limited to interstate commerce, opening the door for states to allow the sale of raw milk within their own borders — usually with strict labeling requirements.”
We all know the pasteurization course of doesn’t considerably strip milk of its vitamins, however what does it really entail?
In keeping with Martin, there are three completely different pasteurization processes utilized in milk manufacturing, and all of them destroy dangerous micro organism and make milk last more. The primary is batch pasteurization. “This involves heating the milk to at least 145°F and holding it for at least 30 minutes before cooling to less than 40°F,” Martin mentioned.
The second is Excessive Temperature Brief Time (HTST) pasteurization, which can be the most typical pasteurization course of within the U.S. Martin defined that HTST pasteurization requires milk to be heated to no less than 161°F and held for no less than 15 seconds earlier than cooling to lower than 40°F. Lastly, Greater Warmth Shorter Time (HHST) pasteurization is when the milk is heated to no less than 191°F and held for no less than 1 second earlier than cooling.
Whatever the pasteurization course of used, Martin emphasizes, you’ll nonetheless find yourself with secure, nutrient-dense milk. So whereas it could be tempting to provide in to the uncooked milk fad based mostly on what you see on social media, each meals security specialists and nutritionists are begging you to not. Pure it could be, nevertheless it’s simply not price risking your security for.
