Scientific Studies on the Benefits Of Raw Milk
I recently saw a reel that was claiming that there’s no true heath benefits of raw milk. No research backed studies that actually prove all these claims.
I get the concern. It’s hyped up now, but is it worth the hype?? Are these crunchy influencers just making it all up?
Obviously, I’m going to say no.
But, barring my personal prejudices, there’s good reason for my denial that this is just one hype fest. I don’t think the thousands of people currently claiming the health benefits of raw milk are all experiencing a placebo effect. I will admit that sometimes scientific studies on it can be hard to find (BUT not impossible) as there is not the incentive to study it like there is for pasteurized dairy thanks to the funding of big dairy. Where there is money, there are studies. But, as to not rely on word of mouth alone, let’s look into the studies we do have on raw milk! I’ll link studies with each point on the benefits of raw milk below!
Raw milk helps with asthma and allergies in kids! "Consumption of any unboiled farm milk was consistently inversely associated with asthma, hay fever, and atopy in both exclusive and mixed farm milk drinkers. Early exposure and daily consumption of farm [raw] milk showed a stronger inverse association with health outcomes in mixed milk drinkers."
The protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy: The GABRIELA study
Raw milk helps with eczema and allergies! This study of 4,767 European children found that “unpasteurized milk consumption was associated with significantly less current eczema symptoms... and a greater reduction in atopy [allergies].”
Which aspects of the farming lifestyle explain the inverse association with childhood allergy?
Raw milk help fight against ear infections, fevers, and respiratory infections! This study found that, as raw milk consumption increased, the incidence of runny nose, respiratory tract infections, fevers, and ear infections decreased.
Consumption of unprocessed cow's milk protects infants from common respiratory infections
Raw milk helps prevent milk allergies if pregnant moms drink it! This study of 922 children shows that there is a lower incidence of milk allergy in children whose mothers consumed raw milk, and in increase in milk allergy in children whose mothers consumed pasteurized (boiled) milk.
Prenatal exposure to a farm environment modifies atopic sensitization at birth
Raw milk helps prevent milk allergies in children who drink it themselves! This study of 793 European children shows that there is a higher incidence of milk allergy in children who are consuming pasteurized milk, whereas consumption of raw milk correlated to less milk allergy
Raw milk helps with asthma, allergies, and infections. This meta-analysis showed that raw milk consumption in childhood has a protective effect on asthma, current wheeze, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and atopic sensitization (allergies to environmental triggers and food allergens). When the previous raw milk studies were criticized, the detractors instead attributed the protective health effects to the farm environment rather than raw milk. However, the 2019 meta-analysis shows differently: “The effect particularly on asthma was observed not only in children raised on farms… but also in children living in rural areas but not on a farm.” This demonstrates that the effect of farm milk consumption is independent of other farm exposures and that children not living on a farm can theoretically profit from this effect.
Crunchy people on the internet aren’t just making these benefits up! There are studies with good sample sizes proving the benefits of raw milk consumption. From small children to pregnant moms to elderly to just about anyone, you can benefit from a little bit of raw milk in your diet!
A special shout out to the Raw Milk Institute for providing all this information. They’re the gold standard for raw milk quality. We are working with them to get listed and provide our owners with the highest quality, lowest risk raw milk we can produce!
