The 10 Health Benefits of Organic Milk

The health benefits of organic milk include having higher levels of omega 3 fatty acids and (CLA) Conjugated Linoleic Acid, more antioxidants and more vitamins than conventional milk . In addition, Milk is one of the most important components of our diet, as its consumption ensures healthy growth and development. Modern dairies, however, use different types of chemicals in milk production .

These include pesticides and fertilizers for growing forage, as well as hormones and antibiotics that are fed to the cows. The overuse of these chemicals in conventional milk production and the harmful effects they create have resulted in an increased demand for Organic Milk from health conscious consumers.

Currently, only 7% of the total  milk sold in Brazil is Organic Milk . However, this segment is rapidly growing at a rate of over 20% per year for each state. The Organic Milk market is growing in other countries as well, with over 30% in the UK. Why is the demand for Organic Milk increasing so quickly? The obvious answer is that organic milk is healthier than conventional milk .

While Organic Milk retains all the benefits provided by non-organic milk, it also provides certain additional benefits. The Health Benefits of Organic Milk were researched by a team from the Danish Institute for Agricultural Research. The research, which was presented at one of the UK Soil Association’s Annual Conferences, is considered groundbreaking. So, check out some of these Health Benefits of Organic Milk below.

The 10 Health Benefits of Organic Milk:

Organic Milk Contains More Omega 3: Organic Milk has more omega 3 than non-organic milk. But, why is Omega 3 so important? Omega 3 is an essential fatty acid that is needed for healthy growth. Its demise from the popular diet has been the reason for the various health problems that have seemed to increase in recent years. Regular intake of omega 3 fatty acids protects against various diseases and helps to reduce the incidence of heart disease, inflammation (in skin conditions such as eczema), cancer and arthritis. Recent research suggests that eating a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids may reduce or delay the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.

Organic Milk has 71% more Omega 3: Research conducted at the University of Aberdeen has shown that Organic Milk has about 71% more Omega 3 than conventional milk. Why do organic milks have more omega 3 than conventional milk? According to research conducted by Dr. Richard Dewhurst and his team at the Institute for Grassland and Environmental Research, Organic cows are fed a greater amount of Red Clover than conventional cows. Red Clover contains a large amount of Omega 3, which passes to the cow and later to people through its milk.

In addition, the proportion of omega 3 and omega 6 is higher in Organic Milk . While omega 6 is also necessary for healthy growth, excessive amounts of omega 6 can be bad at times. The increased consumption of vegetable oils such as Corn , Soy , Sunflower has resulted in an increase in the intake of Omega 6 in our body. Therefore, consumption of Organic Milk serves as an effective means of controlling the balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 in our body, which is integral to heart health and cardiovascular disease.

Organic Milk Contains  More Conjugated Linoleic Acid: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) increases the body’s metabolic rate, immunity to disease and muscle growth. It also reduces abdominal fat, cholesterol and allergic reactions. It is worth noting that the human body cannot produce this substance and the majority of our CLA intake happens through milk and the products we consume.

Now, you will be surprised to learn that cows grazing on pastures produce 500% more CLA in milk than cows that are forage-fed. This definitely calls for a preference for organic milk over non-organic milk. Recent animal studies have shown that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is beneficial in the treatment of cancer and this fact alone has further increased people’s interest in Organic Milk .

Organic Milk Does Not Contain Chemical Contamination: Organic cows are grazed on pastures that are cultivated through organic means. Therefore, your milk is not contaminated with harmful chemicals such as residues from pesticides, fertilizers and hormones. In addition, this nutrient-rich Organic Milk contains no traces of antibiotics, urea or fertility hormones as these are not fed to cows to increase their milk production.

By consuming Organic Milk , you also ensure that you do not harm the environment. Non-organic pesticides used in agriculture are wiping out numerous species of beneficial insects, butterflies and birds. It is estimated that around 672 million birds are affected by the large amount of pesticides used on US farms and 10% of these are killed due to these pesticide-induced diseases.
Organic Milk Contains  More Antioxidants: Organic milk has two to three times higher concentration of antioxidants such as lutein and zeaxanthin than non-organic milk. Lutein is extremely important for eye health and is effective in preventing numerous eye diseases such as macular degeneration and cataracts. Zeaxanthin is also important for good eye health. It protects the eye from UV damage and the impact of free radicals. It is very helpful in preventing cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and macular degeneration.

Intake of milk can also provide relief for those suffering from colon cancer. New study suggests that a diet rich in dairy products may slightly extend the lives of people diagnosed with colon cancer. Also, Research carried out by the Danish Institute of Agricultural Sciences and the University of Newcastle showed that Organic Milk has a higher concentration of vitamins such as Vitamin A and Vitamin E than conventional milk.

Vitamin E is helpful in protecting your body’s cells from free radicals and thus delaying the signs of aging. It also reduces the incidence of several chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cataracts. Typically, a person needs 15 mg of Vitamin E in the form of alpha-tocopherol per day. However, adults in the United States only consume 8-12 milligrams a day on average. This Deficiency in Vitamin E  consumption can be corrected by drinking organic milk daily.

Beta-carotene is converted by our body into Vitamin A. Vitamin A , also called retinol, is helpful in ensuring strong eyesight, increasing resistance to infections, good skin, bone growth, tooth development, reproduction and gene expression.