A selection of our reader comments is provided below. While not all of the comments are as on point as others, we believe many of our readers' comments add perspective and flavor to our core question "Is drinking milk healthy for humans?" and this site.
We posted these pro, con, and not clearly pro or con comments in the approximate ratio that we received them. (For example, if 60% of the responses received are "pro," then about 60% of the responses posted below would be "pro").
The comments are arranged in reverse chronological order - most recent first. We sometimes edit comments for brevity, clarity, and spelling. We may also remove comments posted when we find better comments covering the same issues or for other good reasons. To preserve confidentiality, only the writer's first name is noted, unless he/she has waived confidentiality. Respondents are generally notified when we add their comments to this section.
PRO Milk
CON Milk
"Milk contains a complete nutrient package of nine essential nutrients. In addition to being an excellent source of calcium and vitamin D, it is a good source of vitamin A, protein and potassium. Dairy is doctor recommended. Dairy's role in a healthy diet has long been established by the nutrition and science community. This includes the National Osteoporosis Foundation, the Surgeon General, the National Institutes of Health, the American Medical Association's Council of Scientific Affairs and many other leading health organizations." International Dairy Foods Association, Sep. 27, 2007
"Just checked out your website. Yeech. You might consider FILMING a series of debate questions and offering live responses on YouTube.
Your presentation of data may appear fair and balanced, but I would slaughter these so-called pro-milk experts in live debate. Their so-called factoids are based upon pyramids of distortions built upon crumbling foundations.
My challenge: I will take on any TEN of the dairy industry experts at one time in a future debate.
They will not accept, because they already know that I would chop them up into little pieces of Swiss cheese with large holes." Robert Cohen, Executive Director of the Dairy Education Board, June 1, 2009
NOT CLEARLY PRO OR CON Milk
"Any comparison of raw milk with pasteurized milk completely misses the point unless it is recognized that only raw milk from truly organic dairies, that take extensive measures to keep the milk absolutely clean teat to gallon jug, and do not allow milk from cows from other (commercial) dairies to ever go through their milking system, can be compared to pasteurized milk from commercial dairies, which is from badly fed cattle, laced with antibiotics, hormones and pus. Comparing constituents such as calcium is sophomoric; only epidemiological data comparing truly organic, extremely sanitary raw milk with the commercially produced product at the grocery store will have any validity." Charles Knouse, DO, Aug. 17, 2009
“I find the present lack of support for the dairy industry completely disgusting as far as the government is concerned when they couldn't move fast enough to support the banks. The banks will cost this country far more than the dairy industry. Having said this I wouldn't want to support the dairy farmers just to find that the supermarkets are taking none of the blame because they want their profit no matter how the industry is suffering. This means that most of the dairy industry finds itself between a rock and a hard place. I like my milk and would pay more if the additional money went entirely to the front end worker, the dairy farmer.” Graham, June 22, 2009
"I have analyzed the subject of milk extensively and think the pro and cons can be eliminated. The differences in the health benefits of milk and apparent contradiction in research results from a poor definition of the concept of milk. Basically milk from conventional mass market grain fed cattle has a negative impact on health, and milk from grass fed organic pasturing cattle has a positive impact on health. In the United States we consume mainly the unhealthy kind. Switzerland and many European nations consume more milk, very little seafood, few vitamins, and few vegetables and have significantly better health because their cattle are naturally raised and fed wild grasses and flowers." David, Dec. 29, 2007
"What an informative site! You taught me more about milk (and the marketing forces at work in its distribution) in five minutes than years of passive absorption. Keep up the great work!" Jeannie, Oct. 22, 2007
