Loud media campaigns that try to push a certain lifestyle onto others can be quite annoying. While there are universal truths that we should all adhere to, such as being kind to animals and taking care of our children, pushing ideals onto others is not one of them. This is why the appearance of billboards near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway bearing the phrase ‘Winners DON’T Drink Milk’ as part of an ad campaign by a non-profit organization bent on getting people to stop drinking milk is quite bothersome.
According to reports from the agriculture world, a group called the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine is claiming that cow’s milk can increase the risk of prostate and breast cancers, among other health problems. In a letter to the president of Indy, it is asserted that there is no apparent health rationale for recommending cow’s milk over plant-based milks. However, it is important to note that the non-profit chose to cherry-pick an incredibly specific dataset and ran with it.
One source cited by the non-profit is a 2015 study that states that “dairy product and calcium intakes have been associated with increased prostate cancer risk, but whether specific dairy products or calcium sources are associated with risk is unclear.” It goes on to suggest that “high intakes” of dairy products but not supplemental or nondairy calcium may increase cancer risk. There are many different and common sources of nondairy calcium which many people consume regularly, such as sweet potatoes, broccoli, collard greens, and even orange juice.
While humans are one of (if not the only) beings on this planet to drink the milk of a different species, this does not necessarily mean that drinking milk is bad for us. It is also important to note that humans do many things that other species do not do, such as cooking brisket on a Traeger grill or expertly heel-and-toe a Mazda MX-5.
In conclusion, while it is important to be aware of the potential health risks associated with consuming dairy products, it is also important to consider the source of the information being presented. Cherry-picking data to support a certain agenda is not helpful and can be misleading. It is up to individuals to make informed decisions about their own diets based on a variety of sources and not just one specific study.
