From the perspectives of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine, the viewpoint of not drinking milk has its own basis, and the core can be summarized as follows:
1、 Traditional Chinese Medicine Perspective: Emphasis on “Constitution Adaptation” and “Spleen and Stomach Maintenance”
- Milk is cold and easy to damage the spleen and stomach yang qi
Traditional Chinese medicine believes that milk belongs to the category of cold and refreshing products, while the spleen and stomach prefer warmth and dislike coldness. Long term consumption can easily damage the yang qi of the spleen and stomach, leading to weakened transport and metabolism functions, bloating, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and other problems. It is especially unfriendly to those with spleen and stomach deficiency and coldness (such as fear of cold and thin stools). - Nourish greasiness and dampness, aggravate phlegm dampness constitution
Milk has a thick and greasy texture, which can hinder the circulation of the spleen and stomach, causing water and dampness to accumulate in the body and form “phlegm dampness”, which may worsen the manifestations of phlegm dampness constitution such as obesity, excessive phlegm, and heavy body, contrary to the health principle of “light and easy to digest” in traditional Chinese medicine. - The physiological differences between humans and cows require a diet that is “in line with their nature”
Milk is produced to meet the rapid growth of calves, and its components (high protein, high fat) are more suitable for the herbivorous constitution of cows, while the human body is more suitable for obtaining peaceful nutrition from natural foods such as grains and beans. Overreliance on animal milk does not conform to the concept of “harmony between man and nature”.
2、 Western medical perspective: focusing on “individual tolerance” and “potential risks” - Common lactose intolerance
About 65% of adults worldwide lack sufficient lactase to digest lactose in milk, which can cause intestinal discomfort such as bloating and diarrhea after consumption. This proportion is even higher in Asian populations, and it is essentially a natural metabolic adaptation of the human body to “non breast milk” in adulthood. - Allergies and immune reactions
Milk is a common allergen in infants and young children. Some people are allergic to whey protein or casein, which may cause rash, vomiting, and even anaphylactic shock. From an immune perspective, this is the body’s rejection of heterologous proteins. - Nutritional absorption and health controversies
The saturated fatty acids in whole milk may raise cholesterol and increase cardiovascular burden;
Hormones and antibiotic residues that may exist in commercial aquaculture, long-term ingestion may affect the balance or metabolism of human microbiota;
When consumed excessively, the protein metabolism in milk may lead to calcium loss, which in turn affects the net absorption of calcium (depending on the overall dietary structure).
summarize
Although the theoretical systems of Chinese and Western medicine are different, they both emphasize “individual differences”: Traditional Chinese medicine opposes milk because of its mismatch with human constitution and spleen and stomach function; Western medicine focuses on physiological reactions and potential health risks such as lactose intolerance and allergies.
The core point that both of them point to is that milk is not an “essential source of nutrition”. For those who are intolerant or have poor physical fitness, their nutritional needs can be fully met through alternative foods such as grains, beans, and vegetables, without the need for forced consumption.
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