[Myths and fallacies in relation to the consumption of dairy products]

Nutr Hosp. 2019 Aug 27;36(Spec No3):20-24. doi: 10.20960/nh.02801.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

In recent years the consumption of milk has declined, which could be due to the many myths and fallacies that exist about this food and other dairy products. Affirmations such as: "cow's milk is ideal for calves not humans", "humans are the only animals that drink milk beyond infancy", "milk lead to mucus production or occurrence of asthma" or "milk increases cholesterol levels", among others, are present in many conversations of the general population. However, due to the high nutritional value of dairy products, the elimination/restriction of these foods of our diet, without the existence of circumstances that support it, can have negative repercussions for health. Therefore, it is necessary to dismantle all these myths with scientific arguments.

En los últimos años el consumo de leche ha descendido, lo que podría deberse a los numerosos mitos y falacias que circulan por distintos medios en torno a este alimento y a otros productos lácteos. Afirmaciones como “la leche de vaca es para los terneros, no para los humanos”, “somos el único mamífero que sigue tomando leche en la edad adulta”, “la leche produce mocos y asma” o “la leche aumenta el colesterol”, entre otras, están presentes en muchas conversaciones de la población general. Sin embargo, por su elevado valor nutricional, la eliminación/restricción de estos alimentos de nuestra dieta, sin la existencia de circunstancias que las avalen, puede tener repercusiones negativas para la salud. Por ello, es necesario desmontar todos estos mitos con argumentos científicos.

Keywords: Leche. Productos lácteos. Mitos. Enfermedad. Consumo..

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Asthma / etiology
  • Beverages / analysis
  • Calcium, Dietary / analysis
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Cattle
  • Dairy Products* / adverse effects
  • Dairy Products* / analysis
  • Food Labeling
  • Food Safety*
  • Food, Fortified / analysis
  • Humans
  • Lactose Intolerance / complications
  • Lactose Intolerance / diet therapy
  • Milk Substitutes / chemistry
  • Milk* / adverse effects
  • Milk* / chemistry
  • Mythology
  • Nutritive Value*

Substances

  • Calcium, Dietary