Although raw milk seems attractive for its natural source, but did you know that it carries serious health risks? Unpasteurized milk from cows, sheep or goats can carry harmful bacteria and germs that pose serious health concerns. Pasteurization is a heating process that kills pathogens and makes milk safe, but raw milk skips this step, causing harm to consumers. Here's what we need to know about the dangerous side effects of drinking raw milk and why experts advise against consuming it-

raw milk

Bacterial infection

Raw milk contains harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli and Campylobacter, all of which can cause serious food poisoning. Ingestion of these microbes can cause nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and fever. These symptoms not only interfere with daily life, but they can also be serious, especially in the young and elderly.

Listeriosis risk in pregnant women

Listeria is a dangerous bacteria for pregnant women, which is also present in raw milk. Listeria infection, also known as listeriosis, can result in serious pregnancy complications such as miscarriage, early labor, and even stillbirth. It encourages pregnant women to avoid raw milk altogether because the virus can have potentially fatal effects on an unborn baby.

Serious illness for those with weakened immune systems

People with weakened immune systems—such as transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, and the elderly—are highly susceptible to infection from raw milk. Because their immune systems are weak, consuming unpasteurized milk can lead to serious illness, hospitalization, or even death. For them, raw milk is an unnecessary risk, as even small amounts of harmful bacteria can cause serious infections.

Chronic health problems

Bacterial contamination of raw milk can cause serious health problems in some people. For example, Campylobacter can cause Guillain-Barré syndrome, an unusual and dangerous illness in which the immune system targets the nerves. This can result in paralysis that requires constant care. Drinking raw milk is discouraged, as the long-term consequences of foodborne infections can be fatal.

High risk for young children

Foodborne illness from raw milk particularly affects children and adolescents. Symptoms of bacterial infections in young children can progress quickly, often requiring hospitalization. Given this risk, parents should avoid giving babies raw milk, as it can cause serious, life-threatening infections.

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Why is pasteurization necessary?

Pasteurization is a process named after the scientist Louis Pasteur. It is a process under which milk is boiled to a certain temperature which kills harmful bacteria and makes the milk safe for consumption. Although some believe that raw milk retains more nutrients, the benefits of pasteurization far outweigh any minimal nutritional loss. This simple step has saved countless lives and is essential to ensure milk safety.