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Writer's pictureChristopher Moorer II

What is in Dairy Milk?

Updated: Feb 28, 2023

What is in dairy milk?


Does milk really build strong bones?


Are you trying to find dairy-free options?


In this article we will uncover the following:

  • What is in dairy?

  • Does milk really help build strong bones?

  • How dairy milk is produced?

  • Does dairy milk contain pus and blood?

  • Dairy-free alternatives?


What is Dairy?

Dairy is considered milk that is produced by mammals. The most common mammals to produce milk are cows. Milk is loaded with many healthy nutrients that are beneficial to the human body such as, protein, fats, and calcium. The most popular nutrient that is found in dairy is calcium. Around 72% of the U.S. calcium intake originates from dairy products [1].


Does Milk Really Help Build Strong Bones?

Calcium is a vital mineral the human body needs to build stronger bones, maintain muscle health, and carries out important bodily functions [2]. There is around 300mg of calcium per one cup (237ml) of dairy milk. Children should receive between 200mg of calcium per day from childbirth to 1300mg per day to 18 years old. Adults should receive 1000mg of calcium per day. One cup of dairy milk provides the human body with at least 1/3 of the recommended so milk proves to be beneficial to building strong bones.


How many compartments does a cow's stomach have? (Answer at bottom of article)

  • 1

  • 2

  • 4

  • 10


Uses for Dairy

Dairy can be converted into various products like the following:

  • cheese

  • creams

  • yogurt

  • butter

Dairy is produced in all 50 states and demand is increasing.


How is Dairy Milk Produced?

Dairy milk is produced by releasing milk through the udders of a cow or other mammals. Udders consist of a large mammary gland with two or more nipples that grows near the groin area. However, humans and apes have mammary glands that grow on the chest called breasts.

On average, farmer’s milk their dairy cows two to three times per day [3]. On average, cow’s produce six to seven gallons of milk per day [3]. The dairy milking process takes around 5-7 minutes each time.


What Happens Each Time a Cow is Milked?

Each time a cow is milked it causes the udders to become sore, swollen, and sensitive. This can cause inflammation in the mammary glands called mastitis[4]. Once inflamed, these mammary glands can become infected and secrete pus and blood. Pus consists of a thick, usually yellowish-white, fluid matter that is formed to fight off infection. Pus contains dead blood cells, tissue, and bacteria.


Does Dairy Milk Contain Pus and Blood?

In the U.S. the FDA allows 750 million pus cells in every liter of milk. Bulk tank somatic cell count (BTSCC) aka (pus) refers to the number of white blood cells and secretory cells per milliliter of raw milk and is used as a measure of milk quality and udder health [5]. If pus and blood was not in dairy milk, there would be no reason to set a limit that is federally regulated. Yes, treatment does help reduce the amount of pus and blood in dairy milk but does not eliminate them.


Bovine Mastitis

According to the USDA, 1 in 6 dairy cows in the United States suffers from clinical mastitis [6]. Mastitis is responsible for 1 in 6 dairy cow deaths on U.S. dairy farms. Mastitis is easily detectable due to swollen glands and fever in cows. When cows develop mastitis their milk production is reduced tremendously.


Dairy-Free Alternatives

Milk is a staple in most households. Instead of eliminating milk from your diet, try a dairy-free alternative. There are many dairy alternative products that are available for purchase. Instead of milk from the udder of an animal, dairy-free alternatives originate from plants. Some popular plant milk options are as followed:

  • almond

  • rice

  • oat

  • hemp

  • coconut

  • cashew

These options can come in plant cheese, yogurt, butter, and creams. Many of these plant milks have around the same amount of calcium as dairy milk, with less saturated fats, no pus and blood, and none of the cruelty.

Did you enjoy this article? If so, like and leave us a comment and share with someone!


Poll answer: A cow has 4 compartments in its stomach.




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