Health officials have stated that, because of pasteurization, the country’s dairy milk is still safe to consume…but what are the health impacts of drinking cow’s milk in the first place?

For example, did you know that dairy milk and its byproducts are high in saturated fat or that researchers have linked consumption of cow’s milk to a higher risk of liver, prostate, and breast cancer?

As World Health Day (April 7) approaches, we’re ready to bust a few myths surrounding dairy’s healthfulness – for humans and cows alike:

There are many healthy, plant-based sources of calcium. You don’t need cow’s milk to get your daily recommended value of this critical nutrient. Speaking with nutrition experts, the Washington Post recently wrote, “[E]xperts say that dairy milk isn’t as essential to overall health as many people believe…If you eat a healthy and varied diet then you’re likely getting calcium from many different foods, not just milk.” Those other sources include beans, whole grains, vegetables, tofu, nuts, seeds, and many more – all free from the cholesterol found in dairy.

An estimated 68 percent of the world’s population is lactose intolerant or unable to break down the lactose found in dairy, so for most people, milk is far from perfect. Plus, like milk produced by mothers of other species, a cow’s milk is nutritionally perfect for her calf, not for humans. It has what a calf needs to grow strong and healthy, but for humans, it is heavy in unhealthy cholesterol and saturated fat – and simply unnecessary in our diets.

Like all mammals, cows lactate to nurse their young with milk they need to grow and thrive. On dairy farms, cows are artificially inseminated yearly and, like humans, pregnant for nine months. Each calf is taken away from their mother shortly after birth, so their mother’s milk can be sold, instead of fed to the calf. This brutal cycle continues until a cow can’t produce. This brings us to the next myth.

When a cow exploited for dairy can no longer produce milk or calves, she will end up at a slaughterhouse, typically at only around five or six years old – a small fraction of her natural lifespan of up to 20 years. Exhausted, some cows can barely stand or walk and will face violence used to force them to the slaughter. In 2023, over 1.6 million dairy cows were slaughtered in the United States alone.

What about calves born on dairy farms? Males (considered useless to the industry) may be killed on-site or sold for beef or veal. Females endure dairy’s heartless cycle themselves, and it all repeats.

Dairy products are the leading source of saturated fats in American diets. 

Countries with the highest levels of cow’s milk consumption have been found to have the highest incidence of hip fractures, despite our association of dairy with strong bones.

Start today: Make kinder choices for your health and cows! There are more alternatives to dairy milk and its byproducts than ever before. Choose milk made from soy, oat, almond, coconut, pea, and other plants.