5 dangerous side effects of drinking raw milk – Times of India

While raw milk does seem appealing for its natural origins, did you know that it carries significant health risks? Unpasteurised milk from cows, sheep, or goats can carry harmful bacteria and germs that pose serious health concerns. Although pasteurization—a heating process that kills pathogens—makes milk safe, raw milk skips this step, leaving consumers vulnerable. Here’s all we need to know about the dangerous side effects of drinking raw milk and why experts caution against its consumption.

Bacterial infections which result in food poisoning

Raw milk is a known carrier of harmful bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Campylobacter, all of which can lead to severe food poisoning. Consuming these germs might cause nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pains, and fever. These symptoms not only disturb daily living, but they can also be severe, especially with youngsters and older adults. According to the CDC, raw milk has been connected to multiple outbreaks of foodborne illness.

Risk of listeriosis in pregnant women

Pregnant women are particularly vulnerable to the dangerous bacteria listeria, which is also present in raw milk. A Listeria infection, also known as listeriosis, can result in serious pregnancy problems like miscarriage, early delivery, and even stillbirth. It strongly encourages pregnant women to avoid raw milk entirely because this virus can have potentially fatal effects on the unborn child.

Serious illnesses for those with weakened immune systems

People with weakened immune systems—such as transplant recipients, individuals with HIV/AIDS, cancer patients, and the elderly—are highly susceptible to infections from raw milk. Because their immune defences are weak, consuming unpasteurised milk can lead to severe illnesses, hospitalization, or even death. For them, raw milk is an unnecessary risk, as even a small amount of harmful bacteria can trigger serious infections.

Potential for chronic health issues

Some people may later develop serious medical conditions as a result of raw milk bacterial infections. For instance, Campylobacter can result in Guillain-Barré syndrome, an uncommon but dangerous illness in which the immune system targets the nerves. This may result in paralysis that needs constant care. It is highly discouraged to drink raw milk since the long-term consequences of foodborne infections can be severe.

High risk for young children

Children are at a particularly high risk when it comes to consuming raw milk due to their still-developing immune systems. In fact, the CDC finds that foodborne illness from raw milk especially affects children and teenagers. Symptoms of bacterial infections in young children can quickly escalate, often requiring hospitalisation. Given these risks, parents should avoid giving raw milk to children altogether, as it may lead to severe, life-threatening infections.

Why is pasteurisation required?

Pasteurisation is a process named after scientist Louis Pasteur. It is a process under which milk is boiled to a specific temperature which kills harmful bacteria and makes milk safe for consumption. While some believe raw milk retains more nutrients, it is believed that pasteurisation’s benefits far outweigh any minimal nutrient loss. This simple step has saved countless lives and remains essential in ensuring milk safety.