Is drinking too much milk harmful for your body?
How much milk is too much
For generations, we have been told about the benefits of drinking milk every day. A glass of milk contains a high amount of calcium, a nutrient linked with stronger bones and muscle growth. That's why milk and other dairy products are a non-negotiable item in every household. But as per another theory, drinking too much milk can make your bones brittle. In this article, we have tried to find out if it is really harmful to drink too much milk.
2. Are there any side-effects of drinking too much milk?
Milk
might be healthy and nutritious, but drinking too much of it in a day
does not guarantee better health. Excessive intake of anything is
harmful even if it is something as healthy as milk. As per a Swedish
study, drinking too much milk in a day can be linked with mortality and
increased risk of fracture. For researchers, too much milk meant three
or more than three glasses a day. The results of the study were even
more disturbing in women. In the case of women, it was found that having
three or more glasses of milk each day can nearly double their risk of
death as compared to those who just drank less than one glass each day.
Men have not been affected in the same way as women, but it can
definitely increase the mortality rate.
According to another study, published in 1997 by researchers at Harvard University drinking too much milk does not ensure fewer bone fractures. The study carried out on 77,000 female nurses for 10 years did not show any significant difference in the numbers of arms or hip fractures between those who drank one glass of milk a week or those who drank less milk.
3. Should you just skip milk?
The
result of the study must be alarming, but this does not indicate that
you must shun the beverage completely. Milk is a nutrition powerhouse.
Apart from calcium, it is also packed with other essential nutrients
like vitamin D, vitamin B 12 and protein. There are several studies that
suggest that drinking milk every day can cut down the risk of
developing chronic diseases. All you need to do is consume it in
moderation. A glass of milk in a day is an ideal choice. In light of the
study, it is for the best to avoid drinking more than 2 glasses of milk
in a day.
4. Other side-effects of drinking too much milk
Milk
is healthy, but should always be consumed in moderation. Consuming too
much of it in one go or in a day can lead to visible side-effects. Some
of the obvious signs of drinking too much are:
Fatigue: A study suggests that drinking too much milk can also lead to leaky gut, which can make you feel lethargic. That is due to the presence of a1 casein in the milk, which has inflammatory effects on the intestinal lining and can increase the permeability of the gut lining.
5. Other side-effects of drinking milk
Acne: Another study published in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology found that consuming full-fat dairy products can be linked with moderate and severe acne.
Bloating: Milk can also contribute to digestive issues like bloating. Even if you are not lactose intolerant, you can still be sensitive to lactose and too much dairy can lead to bloating, cramps, or diarrhea.