5 Myths about Milk that Nearly Everyone Believes

Here are the Myths and the Facts:

Myth #1: All “Milks” are the Same

• No, they’re not! Really, just because they call themselves “milk” doesn’t mean that they have the same nutrients and ingredients
• Did you know that each cup of almond milk contains 4 almonds?
• Beverages made from soy and almonds contain 10 or more added ingredients
• Both salt and sugar are added to soy and almond milk for taste
• Dairy milk has no added sugar or salt

Myth #2 Milk is loaded with …

• Actually no, Dairy milk does NOT contain antibiotics
• In fact, the only additions to dairy milk are in the no- and low-fat versions, where the fat-soluble vitamins A and D are added back in
• Nondairy milk, such as almond and soy, include 10 or more added ingredients, including salt and even added sugar
• California fluid milk exceeds federal standards for calcium and other vitamins and minerals

Myth #3: There are Hormones in milk causing early puberty in girls

• The truth is that children who drink more milk tend toward lower body weight and that is not linked to early puberty
• Yet higher weight, which is associated with drinking more juices and sugary sodas, is linked to earlier puberty
• Girls now drink LESS milk than their mothers, who had later puberties

Myth #4 Milk makes mucus

• I can understand why people think this, because drinking milk does thicken saliva, but it doesn’t increase mucus production
• There’s been lots of research done, and yet none have found that people who drink milk have increased mucus production, worsening asthma or more coughing or congestion

Myth #5 Many people are lactose sensitive

• Guess what? Only 25% of the US population have a lactose sensitivity.
• Confusion arises from interchangeable terms: maldigestion, intolerance, sensitivity & allergy
• Few children have a true cow’s milk allergy
• Few children (even those with an increased risk from their ethnicity) develop a deficiency in lactase (the enzyme that breaks down milk sugar) until late adolescence
• The American Academy of Pediatrics still recommends that children with lactose sensitivity have dairy to get calcium, vitamin D, protein and other essential nutrients

You can read more here on how to get the essential nutrients from dairy if you or someone you love is lactose sensitive. 

Disclosure: I’m working with the California Milk Advisory Board to help bring awareness about the nutritional value of dairy milk, cheese and yogurt.