There has been a lot of controversy on the consumption of dairy. Some people are completely for it and some people believe that milk coming from another species is not for us humans to consume.
Milk and dairy foods are naturally rich sources of a wide range of nutrients such as proteins, fats, oligosaccharides and micronutrients including vitamins A, D, E and K and Calcium, Magnesium, Phosphorus and Zinc. Milk proteins are of high biological value, not only because they contain essential amino acids but also because of their high digestibility and bioavailability.
Let’s talk about the reason why a lot of people consider dairy as ‘bad for your gut’ or ‘bad for your health’.
Dairy has been consumed by all of us at our growing ages. Lately, most adults (around 65–70% of the world’s population) are lactose intolerant. This is one of the reasons why increase in substitutes for dairy has increased and sold as a ‘healthier’ alternative for milk. While these alternatives may be way lower in calories than full fat milk, it has no match for the amount of nutrients you find in dairy products.
Lactose intolerance is a digestive disorder caused by the inability to digest lactose, the main carbohydrate in dairy products. It can cause various symptoms, including bloating, diarrhea and abdominal cramps. People with lactose intolerance don’t make enough of the enzyme lactase, which is needed to digest lactose.
Some people are severely lactose intolerant while some face mild intolerance. For some, dairy can also be a major cause for acne. This can also be considered as an intolerance to milk/dairy.
Another concern for health would be the increase sodium and fat consumption through dairy products but that is something that can be easily managed by practicing portion control.
The conclusion here is that dairy can be good for you health if you do not suffer from any intolerance or issues with it. Cheese, milk, yogurt are a great addition to your diet. If you are not intolerant to dairy, there is no reason to cut it out.