On a bench in a community park, two retirees discuss their breakfast choice: milk. One claimed to have recently heard that preservatives have been added to milk on the market, which is harmful to health and may even cause cancer. Another is skeptical, believing that milk is a nutritious and healthy drink. The conversation sparked the interest of the observers, who joined the discussion and raised their own questions about the safety and health benefits of milk.
Milk, as an integral part of the daily diet, does have many misconceptions and controversies. Does milk on the market really contain preservatives that are harmful to health?Is milk really possible to cause cancer?Or is it true that all products labeled as "milk" can be trusted?
On supermarket shelves, the dazzling array of milk products is dizzying。A common question often arises: do these long-lived milks contain preservatives?To answer this question, we first need to understand the basic composition and processing of milk.
Milk is mainly composed of water, fat, protein, lactose and various vitamins and minerals. This natural combination makes milk a nutritious food, but also a breeding ground for microorganisms. In order to extend the shelf life of milk, pasteurization or ultra-high temperature (UHT) technology is often used in industrial production。These methods increase shelf life by killing bacteria in milk at high temperatures, rather than relying on chemical preservatives.
In many countries, laws strictly regulate hygiene and quality standards in milk production, including banning the addition of chemical preservatives to milk. For example, the European Union and the United States have strict regulations to ensure that milk on the market is safe and pure.
So, does the milk on the market contain preservatives?In fact, most licensed milk products are chemical-free. In fact, the shelf life of milk mainly depends on the strict hygiene control during its production and packaging。For example, one study showed that UHT-treated milk could retain its shelf life for several months even when stored at room temperature after being packaged under aseptic conditions.
For a long time, the claim that milk may cause cancer has aroused widespread concern in society. This claim stems from a misunderstanding of certain ingredients in milk and a one-sided interpretation of scientific research. To be clear, milk itself is a nutritious food that contains essential proteins, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for maintaining human health.
When it comes to the relationship between milk and the risk of cancer, scientific research provides a more objective perspective。For example, a large-scale epidemiological study of multi-country populations showed no clear association between moderate milk consumption and the risk of multiple cancers. In fact, some studies have even found that milk consumption is associated with a reduced risk of certain cancers, such as colon cancer.
So, why is there a claim that milk causes cancer?This is partly due to a misunderstanding of the natural hormone content of milk. Milk does contain trace amounts of hormones, which are a natural consequence of bovine physiological processes. However, the concentrations of these hormones in the human body are extremely low and far from levels that can affect health. Scientific experiments have proven that these hormones are metabolized very quickly in the human body and do not accumulate or cause health problems.
Concerns about the addition of hormones to milk are also often raised. In fact, many countries strictly prohibit the use of growth hormone in dairy cow rearing. This means that the vast majority of milk products on the market are free of added hormones. Choosing a reputable brand and buying milk through official channels can effectively avoid such risks.
In the market, there are many options for milk, but not all of them are real milk. Some products are branded as milk, but they can be harmful to health. To understand these "fake milks", it is crucial to choose products that are truly beneficial.
Plant-based milks have become increasingly popular in recent years, such as soy milk, almond milk, etc. While these plant-based dairy products are a good choice for certain populations, such as those who are lactose intolerant, they are not really milk. Plant-based milks tend to be lower in protein than cow's milk and may lack essential vitamins and minerals. For example, soy milk, although it contains vegetable protein, lacks the vitamins B12 and D, as well as calcium and phosphorus, in cow's milk.
Some low-quality dairy products on the market are also "fake milk" to watch out for. These products may be over-processed, with a lot of added sugars, flavors, and colors, and their nutritional value is much lower than that of pure milk. Long-term consumption of these low-quality dairy products may lead to excessive sugar intake, increasing the risk of obesity and diabetes.
Some products with illegally added chemicals are also classified as "fake milk". These products may contain illegally added preservatives or other chemicals that are extremely detrimental to health when consumed for a long time. For example, some small brands of milk that are not certified may have illegal preservatives added to extend the shelf life, but these additives can be harmful to humans.