“Going without dairy products leads to deficits beyond calcium”

How did you react following the publication of this famous BMJ study which associates high milk consumption and increased mortality?

I read it in its entirety and was amazed at how this study was received in the media. Because it says very clearly 2 things. The first is that a very high consumption of milk (more than 600 ml per day, which is much higher than the consumption of the French which is 100 ml / day on average) is associated with an increase in mortality among Swedish women. The second is that the consumption of yogurt and cheese is, on the contrary, associated with a reduction in mortality.

I also share the opinion of the authors who themselves conclude that these results must be interpreted with caution because it is an observational study that does not allow to conclude to a causal relationship and that other studies give different results.

What are the reasons why milk is so recommendable?

For the same reason that we recommend consuming fruits and vegetables. Milk and dairy products provide specific nutrients, so they are a whole food group. Man being an omnivore, he must draw every day from each of these groups. Hence the recommendation of 3 servings of dairy products per day and 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.

Milk does indeed have an exceptional number of nutrients, but the fats it contains are mainly saturated fats… Should we therefore limit its consumption?

Milk contains mainly water, around 90%, and little fat: 3,5 g of fat per 100 ml when it is whole, 1,6 g when it is semi-skimmed (the most consumed) and less 0,5 g when it is skimmed. Two-thirds are very varied saturated fatty acids, which are not, moreover, associated with the risk of cardiovascular disease. There is no “official” consumption limit: milk is one of the 3 recommended dairy products (one portion corresponding to 150 ml) and it is advisable to vary them. According to the latest CCAF survey, milk provides less than 1 gram of saturated fatty acids per day per adult.

Is the link between calcium and osteoporosis really proven?

Osteoporosis is a multifactorial disease, which involves genetic and environmental factors such as physical activity, vitamin D intake, protein but also calcium … Yes, you need calcium to build and maintain your skeleton. Studies show a link between calcium, bone mass and risk of fracture. And vegans who exclude all animal products have an increased risk of fracture.

How do you explain that milk is the subject of debate? Only health professionalsé take a stand against its consumption?

Food has always aroused fads or irrational fears. It is a process of incorporation that goes far beyond providing fuel to the body. It is also a question of culture, family history, symbols… Milk is a highly symbolic food, which no doubt explains the passion with which it is praised or criticized. But the vast majority of health professionals and all nutritionists and dieticians recommend the consumption of dairy products as part of a balanced diet.

Critics of milk report a link between its consumption and certain inflammatory diseases, in particular due to intestinal permeability caused by milk proteins. What do you think of this theory? Are studies going in this direction?

No, on the contrary, studies on inflammation tend to go in the opposite direction. And if there was a problem with intestinal permeability, it would obviously also concern substances other than those contained in milk. But more broadly, how can we think that a food intended for toddlers can be “toxic”? Because all milk, whatever the mammal, contains the same elements and protein constituents in particular. Only the proportion of these constituents varies.

Can we reasonably do without dairy products? What would be the possible alternatives, according to you? Are they equivalent?

Going without a food group with its own nutritional characteristics means compensating for the nutrient deficit. For example, going without dairy products means finding calcium, vitamins B2 and B12, iodine… in other foods. Indeed, milk and its derivatives are the main sources in our diet. Thus, milk and dairy products provide 50% of the calcium we consume each day. To compensate for this deficit, it would be necessary to consume every day for example 8 plates of cabbage or 250 g of almonds, which seems impractical and undoubtedly uncomfortable from a digestive point of view … Moreover, this does not compensate for the deficits iodine and vitamins, and almonds being very high in calories, energy intake increases and unbalances the intake of essential fatty acids. As for soy juice, there are versions artificially fortified with calcium, but the other micronutrients in milk are missing. Going without dairy products is complicated, disrupts eating habits and leads to deficits far beyond calcium.

Go back to the first page of the big milk survey