Raw milk, long debated as healthier and nutritious than pasteurized milk by enthusiasts but strongly cautioned against by health practitioners, is now a hot topic in health and wellness circles with the increasing popularity of "natural" and "unprocessed" foods. The dangers surrounding raw milk have been brought to the forefront with the outbreak of H5N1 bird flu, highlighting the risk of contamination in raw milk supplies. All about raw milk, its risks, and the latest science.

What Is Raw Milk?

Raw milk is unpasteurized milk taken directly from cows, goats, or other similar animals. Unpasteurized milk does not go through the heat treatment process meant to destroy harmful pathogens and bacteria. Raw milk proponents say that pasteurization kills nutrients and enzymes. And that might be one false claim after another, as science continues to disprove it.

According to Dr. Meghan Davis of Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, pasteurization does not significantly alter the concentration of minerals or the quality of proteins in milk. In fact, it's a critical step to ensure food safety, particularly for animal-derived products prone to contamination.

Wellness influencers have in recent times advocated for raw milk as the "clean" and "natural" alternative to commercial milk distributed in stores, using claims from improved digestion to the stimulation of the immune system. However, these claims are not scientifically proven. Although raw milk contains antibodies, the amounts are too small to be worth anything for health.

Health Risks of Drinking Raw Milk

Raw milk consumption poses immense risks. It can become contaminated in two major ways:

1. Internal Contamination: Pathogens such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Campylobacter can seep into milk through infected animals.

2. External Contamination: Polluted water, dirt, manure, and contaminated equipment introduce harmful microorganisms.

The infections acquired from raw milk include diarrhea, stomach cramps, nausea, and fever, and severe effects can be experienced by infants, the elderly, pregnant women, and even immunocompromised people. Some other rare but serious diseases like hemolytic uremic syndrome, which may bring about renal failure or stroke, have also been associated with raw milk.

Bird Flu Impact on Raw Milk Safety

Raw milk has become a focal point of the latest bird flu outbreak as preliminary genetic analysis indicates the H5N1 virus, which causes avian flu, may have begun infecting cattle earlier than thought. And the CDC says viral particles have been found in raw milk, which adds one more risk to consuming unpasteurized dairy.

A notable case was with sick and dead cats on a Texas dairy farm that resulted from ingesting unpasteurized milk from infected cows. This presents how unpasteurized milk can be a vector for transmitting diseases.

Legal Status of Unpasteurized Milk

To reduce the risk, the FDA prohibited the interstate sale of unpasteurized milk in the United States. Different states, however, have their respective regulations on this matter:

- 20 states completely banned the sale of unpasteurized milk.

- 30 states allow raw milk sales under specified conditions.

Although these laws exist for protection of public health, many consumers are not even aware of the dangers associated with their consumption.

Why Pasteurization Is Important

Pasteurization destroys harmful bacteria without affecting the nutritional content of milk. Several studies in *Nutrition Today* report that pasteurization does not change the nutrient profile of milk. Pasteurized milk is free from pathogens and, therefore, also a safer alternative for all consumers, especially vulnerable ones.

Myths About Raw Milk Products

It's not just raw milk that's hazardous. Cheese, yogurt, and ice cream with unpasteurized milk carry the same dangers. To anyone tempted by the supposed health value of raw dairy, experts say in one voice: stick to pasteurized, and avoid illnesses like bird flu or salmonella infection.

Should You Drink Raw Milk?

Health organizations, including the FDA, CDC, and American Academy of Pediatrics, strongly advise against consuming raw milk. Beyond the personal health risks, drinking raw milk can also endanger others by increasing the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses.

The emergence of H5N1 in cattle and its link to raw milk calls the world to wake up to better preparedness. Like COVID-19, bird flu has demonstrated vulnerabilities in our food safety systems. The presence of avian flu in raw milk underscores the imperative for strict rules, public education, and investments in the prevention of these diseases.

Could this outbreak push governments and health organizations to step up surveillance and vaccination efforts against zoonotic diseases? The lessons learned from COVID-19 suggest a coordinated approach is essential to prevent future pandemics.

On the other hand, raw milk is far riskier and has far fewer benefits than its apparent healthy, "natural" choice. From bacterial contamination to the allowance of viruses like H5N1, there is evidence that is clear: pasteurization cannot be wished away. As we face new health challenges, it will be science over trends that safeguard public health.

Prediabetes affects more than 600 million people worldwide and is linked not only to an increased risk of type 2 diabetes but also to impaired brain function.

Adding a small quantity of almonds to the daily diet on their own or added to cereal, yogurt, curries, salads, and other dishes may help boost brain health and prevent a decline in cognitive function in adults with prediabetes, experts said.

Almonds contain

• protein
• fiber
• saturated fat and unsaturated fat
• 24 essential nutrients, including magnesium, potassium, and vitamin E.

The findings showed that eating just a few almonds each day may benefit cognitive performance, metabolic health, and markers of inflammation and oxidative stress in middle-aged Asian Indian adults with prediabetes.

“Adults with prediabetes are vulnerable to a decline in cognitive function. Our study indicates that just one simple dietary change – adding a small quantity of almonds to the daily diet – may help support brain health and improve cognitive performance in some populations,” said Dr. Anoop Misra, co-investigator and Chairman, Fortis-CDOC Center of Excellence for Diabetes, Metabolic Diseases, and Endocrinology in New Delhi, part of the study.

He noted that daily almond consumption could help lower the risk of prediabetes progressing to type 2 diabetes, a condition associated with an increased risk of dementia.

How Was The Study Conducted?

Also read: Unsafe Food Causes 1.5 Million Deaths Annually; Children Under 5 Face 3x Higher Risk: WHO

In a 24-week study, 60 Asian Indian adults aged 40–60 with prediabetes were assigned to either a control group or an almond group.

Those in the almond group consumed 32–42 grams of almonds daily as part of a calorie-matched diet.

Researchers assessed cognitive performance, blood sugar levels, cholesterol, weight, BMI, and waist circumference before and after the study.

What Did Researchers Find?

Participants in the almond group experienced improvements in executive function and processing speed, both key measures of cognitive performance.

They also demonstrated better blood sugar control, including lower fasting blood glucose, lower blood glucose levels two hours after eating, and improvements in HbA1c, a marker of long-term blood sugar control.

Additional metabolic benefits included significant reductions in body weight, body fat, BMI, waist circumference, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol.

Read More: PM Modi’s Push To Reduce Oil Intake Key To Fighting India’s Obesity And Diabetes Crisis, Say Experts

Participants consuming almonds also showed improvements in markers related to inflammation and oxidative stress.

“The findings showing improvements in cognitive function, blood sugar control, body weight, and cholesterol levels reinforce the role of almonds as a superfood. Their versatility and convenience make them an easy addition to everyday eating habits, while also providing important nutrients that support overall well-being,” said Ritika Samaddar, Regional Head, Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Max Healthcare.

“Inflammation and oxidative stress are associated with cognitive decline. Our study found those in the almond group had lower levels of both, along with higher levels of a protective antioxidant (Vitamin E), compared with the control group,” said Dr. Seema Gulati, lead researcher of the study and Head of the Nutrition Research Group at the National Diabetes, Obesity and Cholesterol Foundation in New Delhi.

Chronic inflammation can cause major diseases like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer; thus, while thinking about staying healthy for a long time, it is a very important part of it. The disease is also a silent one that silently harms tissues over time and serves as a major reason for lifestyle conditions like Type 2 diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Thus, reversing it becomes very important,

Recent study by researchers at Ohio State University, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, is a ray of hope for reversing this issue through dietary changes. The study finds that the drinking of specially formulated tomato-soy juice may reduce inflammation.

How Does Tomato-Soy Juice Fight Inflammation?

This beverage has a couple of potent reasons behind its success in the study against inflammation, namely lycopene and soy isoflavones. Notably, lycopene has antioxidant and carotenoid properties that enable it to neutralize free radicals, which cause cellular damage and fuel chronic inflammation. On the other hand, soy isoflavones possess plant-based nutrients called flavonoids, which have unique anti-inflammatory properties that can copy or modulate hormone signaling to calm overactive immune responses.

How Soy Helps Reduce High BP?

Those taking soy foods around 60–80 grams daily can expect a 28–29 per cent reduction in blood pressure. One hundred grams of soy is roughly equivalent to one cup of cooked beans or lentils, or a palm-sized serving of tofu. Higher soy consumption led to a 19 per cent lower risk of hypertension. Soy foods additionally contain compounds called isoflavones, which may further contribute to blood pressure regulation.

The study shows that tomato-soy juice reduced three major pro-inflammatory proteins in the blood, including interleukin-12 (IL-12p70), interleukin-5 (IL-5), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). The drink also lowers tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), which is linked with chronic inflammatory diseases.

Read Also: Is Soy A Healthy Addition To Your Diet?

Are Soya Chunks Good For Gut Health?

Soy foods may support heart health. It is believed to reduce inflammation in blood vessels and improve their flexibility, lowering the risk of heart disease and stroke. Some studies even link soy consumption to a 15 percent lower risk of death from heart disease.

The ‘high-protein’ tag attached to soy products such as soya nuggets, soya chaap, and even soy milk is misleading. As industrially processed foods often contain 80 to 90 percent refined flour, consumers get empty calories that spike blood sugar, disrupt hormonal balance, and fuel inflammation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi once again addressed the nation through his monthly radio broadcast, Maan Ki Baat. It was the 134th installment of the broadcast, and the Prime Minister urged the people of India to take extra precautions in summer's scorching heat.

The Prime Minister said, "It is very hot in most parts of the country right now. Strong sun, hot winds, it is very important to take care of yourself in such weather. Keep drinking water. If at all you have to go out in the sun, do so with caution." He added, "Don't forget the guidelines issued by various government departments in this regard."

Then the Prime Minister also addressed traditional food and drinking practices in different parts of the country to stay fit even during the hot summer. He urged the citizens to drink regional traditional drinks to stay hydrated and named popular options like Aam Panna, Sattu sherbet, Kokum sherbet, Sol Kadhi, Panakam, Neer Mor, Sambaram, Bael Pana, and Buttermilk. "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat," he added.

The Prime Minister also mentions mangoes, which are a household summer treat in India. He said, "Every region… its own mango, its own flavor, its own aroma." Then he described these different mangoes and their specialties as well.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also mentions the journey of the Indian mangoes from domestic production to the global market.

Easy Tips To Stay Fit During a Heatwave

Drink water consistently at regular intervals instead of gulping large quantities at once. Electrolyte-rich fluids like coconut water, lemon water with a pinch of salt, or buttermilk are healthy, affordable options to soothe parched throats.

Add items like curd, rice, cucumber, and bottle gourd to your diet and avoid red meat and fried foods during peak summer days.

Extreme temperatures put additional stress on the cardiovascular system, especially in people with hypertension, diabetes, or heart conditions. Make sure to take all prescribed medications exactly as advised—don’t skip doses even if you experience heat-induced nausea. If you feel dizzy or experience palpitations or severe fatigue, consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Air conditioning is helpful, but overexposure can lead to dry skin, headaches, and respiratory discomfort. Once every two or three hours, step away from your desk for a few minutes. Walk or stand, and sip some water.