9 Benefits of Raw Dairy Products That Will Convince You To Switch Out Your Dairy | The Skinny Confidential

We’ve been getting a little heat lately on drinking raw milk. So let’s have a chat about dairy products.

For a long time, cutting dairy was all the rage and people turned to alternative milks including almond and oat. But, when you cut dairy, you cut out a whole host of vitamins and minerals like calcium. And these vitamins and minerals are essential for full-body wellness. 

And dairy is back on the rise in the United States. We’re all about dairy as it’s a good source of protein and healthy fats, which we need for optimal nutrition. 

The reason many people turned away from dairy in the first place is because of an inaccurate food pyramid that placed a heavy emphasis on carbohydrates. This pyramid placed little emphasis on dairy & meat. Additionally, many people have issues with lactose. 

Now, we have MyPlate instead of the food pyramid. MyPlate places a more balanced emphasis on all food groups. They do note that about 90% of Americans do not get enough dairy in their diet currently.

We specifically love raw milk and dairy products. Consuming raw dairy products is not something practiced by many people. It has to be carefully cultivated, but there are so many nutritional benefits to consuming raw dairy. 

That’s why today, we’re sharing the incredible benefits with you. Plus, you’ll get some insight on the safety of these products. Let’s get into it.

9 Benefits of Raw Dairy Products

First, let’s talk about what raw dairy is. This will help your understanding of its health benefits.

What Are Raw Dairy Products & What Is Considered Raw Dairy?

Raw dairy products are dairy products made with unpasteurized milk. Pasteurization is the process of eliminating microorganisms using a heat treatment. Raw dairy products do not undergo this process.

Some examples of raw dairy products include raw milk, raw cheeses, fermented raw milk products (like yogurt made with raw milk), and more.

What Are Raw Dairy Benefits You Should Know About?

Lactose intolerance? Bye.

Many people report issues with lactose intolerance, but that may not be a problem when drinking raw milk.

This is because pasteurization kills the enzyme lactase, which has been found in raw milk.

This enzyme is responsible for breaking down lactose.

Additionally, pasteurization kills probiotics, or the beneficial bacteria not just pathogens. Probiotics have been shown to support the breakdown of lactose as well.

This survey found that 81% of people who had been diagnosed with lactose intolerance did not have symptoms after switching to raw milk. So bye-bye, lactose intolerance. See you never.

You can heal your gut health.

Raw dairy products can help heal your gut, especially after taking antibiotics.

Consuming raw milk can help rebuild your gut’s microbiome. Because it hasn’t been pasteurized, there are multiple strains of beneficial bacteria that help your body break down food in your gut.

These strains of bacteria aid in digestion, making the digestive process smoother and more comfortable. And who doesn’t want a healthy gut? We do.

It supports your hydration levels. (Even while drinking coffee.)

Raw milk is FULL of fat-soluble vitamins, minerals, electrolytes, fatty acids like CLA and omega-3 fatty acids, and more. These nutrients help you retain a healthy amount of fluid in your body. In fact, this study found that milk is better at hydrating than water.

Lauryn drinks raw milk every day in her coffee. The electrolytes and other nutrients can partially offset dehydration effects from coffee. Plus, she feels like it gives her the perfect amount of energy for the gym. Almost like nature’s pre-workout.

But of course, Lauryn’s not drinking her coffee until after she’s made a hydrating water with Beauty Salt. Doubling up on hydrating fluids can help reduce negative symptoms related to caffeine.

Lower your children’s risk for asthma & allergies.

Did you know that children raised on farms have lower rates of asthma and allergies? In fact, even just children who are exposed to farms in early childhood have lower rates of severe respiratory illnesses.

But why? Studies suggest raw milk may play a role. This study found raw milk to have protective factors for children raised on farms. 

This study generalized those results by including children not raised on farms. It found raw milk to have protective benefits for both children from farms and other children.

Protect yourself from oxidative stress.

There are many antioxidants found in raw milk that aren’t as potent in pasteurized milk.

This study tells us that the antioxidants in milk come primarily from sulfur-rich amino acids like tyrosine and cysteine, Vitamins A and E, carotenoids, and enzyme systems. These are heat-sensitive compounds that are reduced when pasteurized.

These antioxidants are important for neutralizing free radicals, which are unstable molecules created by different toxins and stressors. Free radicals cause cell damage, so you do NOT want them running the show!

Give yourself the gift of glowy skin.

The vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants present in raw milk are so good for your skin. Plus, the extra antioxidant protection from the carotenoids can help prevent signs of aging! It also supports glowy, bright skin.

Get more vitamins and nutrients in your diet. 

Raw milk contains more vitamins and minerals than pasteurized milk. This is one of the effects of heat treatment on milk: the vitamin content is reduced. 

Some of the vitamins that are at full force in raw milk include calcium and B vitamins.

Boost your immune system.

Raw milk contains antibodies, or immunoglobulins, that are intended to respond to pathogens by neutralizing or destroying them. 

The thing about these antibodies is that they’re not present in pasteurized milk. These immunoglobulins are heat-sensitive and can actually become inactivated during the pasteurization process.

Elevate your workouts.

Lauryn uses raw milk as pre-workout for several reasons. 

+ It’s got those amazing electrolytes to help you stay hydrated.

+ It contains all the essential amino acids, which expert biohacker Gary Brecka recommends before a workout.

+ Packed with the perfect amount of protein, sugar, and fat, it’s got everything to satiate you!

Is Raw Dairy Safe?

The answer is YES with caveats.

First, let’s talk pasteurization. Pasteurization is the process of eliminating microorganisms by heating milk. It’s considered necessary for the safety of milk by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, however, many people are calling this regulation into question.

The Raw Milk Institute wrote a letter to medical professionals regarding the safety of drinking raw milk. The experts at the institute actually agree that there are safety concerns with drinking raw milk when you’re drinking raw milk from a cow that produces milk intended for pasteurization.

This is because there are COMPLETELY different standards for the hygiene and quality of living for cows producing milk that goes to the market raw. 

Dr. Mark Hyman taught us that your raw milk needs to come from an A2 cow that’s regeneratively raised. Regeneratively raised means it’s raised with a sustainable farming model that prioritizes the health of the land and animals. 

Cows raised on regenerative farms generally have free-range. They’re also raised without the use of hormones or antibiotics.

Conventionally raised cows, on the other hand, are generally raised in Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs). These cows are confined with 700 others in small feed lots or stables for 45+ days a year, where they eat, live, and defecate in a cramped space.

This review of the literature regarding CAFOs compiled a list of concerns related to how CAFOs are run. These concerns include air and water contamination and a rise in antibiotic-resistant bacteria in livestock.

Raw milk from these cows is likely to cause disease, but we source ours from humane, hygienic, and safe farms.

If you’re careful and considerate about where you’re getting your raw milk, it can be both safe and beneficial for you.

 Is Raw Dairy Safe For Pregnant Women?

Yes, we believe so! Again, your raw dairy products must be carefully sourced & as always, you should talk to your healthcare provider first. But, raw milk has been amazing for Lauryn during her pregnancy. And as Michael always says, remember, raw milk was once called just milk.

When it comes down to it, we’ll take the benefits over the risks.

Raw dairy is so good for you when you’ve done your research on the farm you’re getting it from. Plus, it’s even tastier than pasteurized dairy products. And it produces the BEST ice cream. Here’s a raw ice cream recipe for you to try it, too.

What’s your favorite way to consume raw dairy? Let us know in the comments.

x, The Skinny Confidential team

+ Check out Lauryn’s favorite red light therapy products.

++ Learn Gary Brecka’s top supplement recommendations.