Is Unpasteurized Milk Unhealthy
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Unpasteurized milk is raw milk collected from goats, cows, sheep, or any other animals that has not been pasteurized. According to research made, it is found that less than 1% of milk sold to consumers is not pasteurized in the United States. Is unpasteurized milk unhealthy is a query many people have, as the exact reason behind pasteurizing it is not known yet. However, when the debate on raw milk vs. pasteurized milk was made, suggestions were made that pasteurized milk must be sold.
Is Unpasteurized Milk Unhealthy?
Below are some advantages and disadvantages of unpasteurized milk which can help you in finding your answer.
Risks Associated with Drinking Unpasteurized Milk
- Unpasteurized milk contains germs and harmful bacteria which can make the person sick or sometimes also increase the chances of death. Raw milk increases the risk of getting food borne illnesses, which people usually get from different foods which are spoilt.
- If a person has been drinking the raw milk of a particular brand for a long time, then the chances of long term illness are more. Some people also face the problem of hair loss and dizziness.
- Unpasteurized milk also increases the chances of vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramping. Other severe problems like paralysis, kidney failure, and chronic disorders are also likely to occur.
- In unpasteurized milk, germs and bacteria like Listeria, Mycobacterium bovis, Brucella, Escherichia coli, and some viruses and parasites are found. All these germs are life threatening.
- The person’s immunity system becomes weak, which can make him prone to diseases depending on the type of germ.
- It has been found out that chances of falling ill by drinking unpasteurized milk is common among young children, people with less immunity system, infants, and pregnant women. It is never advised to the patients with HIV/AIDS, cancer, or organ transplant. This doesn’t mean that healthy people don’t get affected. People who are fit can get sick by drinking unpasteurized milk, which is contaminated with harmful germs.
Benefits of Unpasteurized Milk
· Even though there is lot of risk involved, unpasteurized milk is regarded as a complete food that includes proteins, minerals, and vitamins.
· It includes 20% of amino acids
· It contains minerals like calcium, phosphorus, etc., which your body needs in everyday life.
· With 80% of proteins in unpasteurized milk, the digestion process becomes simple.
· It includes lots of enzymes with health benefits and functions
· The nutritional benefits of unpasteurized milk easily get damaged by pasteurization.
Pasteurizing Milk
The process of pasteurization includes killing harmful bacteria which are included in unpasteurized milk. Pasteurization is done by heating milk to a certain temperature for some time. The research made states that pasteurization effectively destroys harmful organisms that invite diseases like typhoid fever, listeriosis, brucellosis, diphtheria, and tuberculosis. However, the disadvantage of such milk is that it destroys most of the nutritive value which we get from cow’s milk. Unpasteurized milk is not approved by the FDA and has suggested that it is not fit for human consumption.
There are some beneficial bacteria which are found in raw milk. By pasteurizing such milk, these essential bacteria are destroyed. It also destroys the amount of calcium and natural enzymes available in raw milk. Some people are also diagnosed with allergies from pasteurized milk. It also somehow contributes to heart disease and cancer. Even though it is effective in killing harmful germs and bacteria that can affect your health, it also destroys necessary bacteria needed.
Even if pasteurization offers nutrient rich and safe milk, many people believe that the nutrient value that raw milk includes is the best. The answer for, is unpasteurized milk unhealthy, has not been found yet; still some people prefer to drink unpasteurized milk thinking of it as a safe option.
About the Author
Dr. Mark Monteiro is graduated from the Hazard University and done his MBA from the he University Of Illinois College Of Medicine. Currently he is working as general physician at Elmhurst Loyola Center for Health. For over 15 years he has been a pioneer in the field of physician health. He has contributed to the treatment of many diseases like- ASTHMA, TUBERCULOSIS, HIV, HEPATITIS AND ITS TREATMENT.
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