While I commend Redner’s Market for its commitment to supporting local food banks, I am hopeful they will consider a more healthful option. As a physician deeply committed to the health and well-being of Delaware families, I was disappointed but not surprised to see the American Dairy Association’s effort to market their product with its Fill a Glass With Hope campaign. People who consume whole milk and other dairy products will need much more than hope if they are to remain healthy.
Milk and other dairy products are among the top sources of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Research published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition suggests that high intake of dairy products may increase the risk of certain chronic diseases, including prostate cancer and ovarian cancer.
Milk products also contain cholesterol. Diets high in fat, saturated fat and cholesterol increase the risk of heart disease, which remains America’s top killer. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting saturated fat intake for people 2 years and older, highlighting whole milk as a significant source of this harmful nutrient.
One in three children in Delaware is struggling with overweight or obesity. The health status of adults is even more concerning as nearly 40% of adults are classified as obese. A total of 11% of adults have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in our state. These conditions are often linked to poor dietary habits.
Perhaps Redner’s could instead help fund more healthful alternatives – fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Some of my favorites are products for which Delaware is famous, including watermelons, lima beans, sweet corn and peaches.
Redner's could provide soy milk, almond milk, rice milk or other plant-based milk. These plant-based milks are in shelf-stable cartons, making them more practical for food banks and for customers.
Cow’s milk provides no unique nutrients that cannot be sourced from healthier alternatives, which provide essential nutrients without the detrimental levels of saturated fat found in whole milk.
Research funded by the National Cancer Institute, the National Institutes of Health and the World Cancer Research Fund found that women who consumed 1/4 to 1/3 cup of cow’s milk per day had a 30% increased chance for breast cancer. One cup per day increased the risk by 50%.
High intakes of dairy products including whole and low-fat milk increase the risk for prostate cancer, according to a meta-analysis that looked at 32 studies. In another study, men who consumed three or more servings of dairy products a day had a 141% higher risk for death due to prostate cancer compared with those who consumed less than one serving.
In addition, about one in three Delaware residents is Black, Hispanic or Asian, meaning they are likely to have difficulty digesting lactose, the sugar in cow's milk. Symptoms of lactose intolerance can significantly impact quality of life, and contribute to discomfort and distress.
My thanks again to Redner’s for wanting to do a positive thing for our neighbors. Let’s make this admirable effort plant-based for better health.
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