While organic milk can cost up to double the price of other milks, it is nonetheless becoming more popular. This is primarily because many people believe that the nutritional value of organic milk outweighs the extra expense. The extra expense of organic milk is attributable to the fact that organic farms are more costly to operate due to less milk being produced per area of land.
Organic Milk Requirements
Organic milk has four requirements, as set by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. They are as follows:
- USDA organic milk must come from cows that have not been treated with BGH, or bovine growth hormones.
- The cows from which organic milk is produced must not have been treated with any antibiotics.
- The cows’ feed must be organic and have been grown without pesticides.
- The cows must have access to pasture where they can roam and graze freely.
Regular Milk vs. Organic Milk
Regular cows’ milk, on the other hand, is allowed to be produced from cows that have been treated with bovine growth hormones and antibiotics. The cows’ feed has more often than not been treated with pesticides and fertilizers. Normally, these cows are also not allowed access to the outdoors to roam and graze at their own will. Instead, they live their entire lives inside of a small indoor pen and are fed by the farmer.
Benefits of Organic Milk
One major nutritional benefit of milk from cows that have been pasture-fed is that the milk contains more CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid. CLA is a type of fat that has been shown to protect against cancer and other health problems. Organic milk has also been proven to have increased values of vitamin E, beta carotene, antioxidants, and additional omega-3 fatty acids. These additional nutrients may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Another benefit of organic milk is that is has a longer shelf life compared to other milks because it is ultra-pasteurized. Many people simply prefer the taste of organic milk to other milks and feel happier and healthier when consuming it. Others choose to purchase organic milk because they feel that the cows the milk is produced from are treated more humanely than cows from which regular milk is produced.
Organic Milk Reservations
Although there are numerous benefits of organic milk, many people are still skeptical of the extent of these benefits. Some researchers have found that the benefits of organic milk compared to regular cows’ milk are negligible. Regular milk does provide the calcium your body needs and other vitamins, as well. So, while there are numerous additional nutritional benefits to organic milk, it is a personal choice as to whether or not these benefits outweigh the additional cost. A final warning: Be wary of labels. While a product might advertise that it is organic, it may not be. Do your research and ensure that the milk is USDA organic and is worth the extra cost.
