Is drinking too much milk harmful for your body? | The Times of India (2024)

For generations, we have been told about the benefits of drinking milk every day. A glass of milk contains a high amount of calcium, a nutrient linked with stronger bones and muscle growth. That's why milk and other dairy products are a non-negotiable item in every household. But as per another theory, drinking too much milk can make your bones brittle. In this article, we have tried to find out if it is really harmful to drink too much milk.

Milk might be healthy and nutritious, but drinking too much of it in a day does not guarantee better health. Excessive intake of anything is harmful even if it is something as healthy as milk. As per a Swedish study, drinking too much milk in a day can be linked with mortality and increased risk of fracture. For researchers, too much milk meant three or more than three glasses a day. The results of the study were even more disturbing in women. In the case of women, it was found that having three or more glasses of milk each day can nearly double their risk of death as compared to those who just drank less than one glass each day. Men have not been affected in the same way as women, but it can definitely increase the mortality rate.

According to another study, published in 1997 by researchers at Harvard University drinking too much milk does not ensure fewer bone fractures. The study carried out on 77,000 female nurses for 10 years did not show any significant difference in the numbers of arms or hip fractures between those who drank one glass of milk a week or those who drank less milk.

The result of the study must be alarming, but this does not indicate that you must shun the beverage completely. Milk is a nutrition powerhouse. Apart from calcium, it is also packed with other essential nutrients like vitamin D, vitamin B 12 and protein. There are several studies that suggest that drinking milk every day can cut down the risk of developing chronic diseases. All you need to do is consume it in moderation. A glass of milk in a day is an ideal choice. In light of the study, it is for the best to avoid drinking more than 2 glasses of milk in a day.

Milk is healthy, but should always be consumed in moderation. Consuming too much of it in one go or in a day can lead to visible side-effects. Some of the obvious signs of drinking too much are:

Fatigue: A study suggests that drinking too much milk can also lead to leaky gut, which can make you feel lethargic. That is due to the presence of a1 casein in the milk, which has inflammatory effects on the intestinal lining and can increase the permeability of the gut lining.

Acne: Another study published in the Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology found that consuming full-fat dairy products can be linked with moderate and severe acne.

Bloating: Milk can also contribute to digestive issues like bloating. Even if you are not lactose intolerant, you can still be sensitive to lactose and too much dairy can lead to bloating, cramps, or diarrhoea.