Organic Milk – Health benefits for children and adults

What is organic milk or dairy?

Organic milk or dairy products are derived from livestock that are raised according to organic farming standards. These standards vary by country and region but generally include practices that prioritize the well-being of animals, environmental sustainability, and the avoidance of synthetic chemicals and hormones.

Differences between organic milk vs regular milk

Organic milk and regular (conventional) milk differ in several ways due to their distinct farming practices. Organic milk is sourced from cows raised on farms adhering to strict organic farming standards. These standards emphasize providing cows with access to pasture, feeding them organic and non-GMO feed, and avoiding synthetic pesticides, herbicides, and genetically modified organisms (GMOs). 

Additionally, organic dairy farming prohibits the use of synthetic growth hormones and administers antibiotics to cows only when necessary for their health. In contrast, regular milk may come from cows on conventional farms that may use synthetic pesticides, herbicides, GMO feed, and antibiotics more routinely. 

Cows on conventional farms may also spend less time grazing outdoors and have limited access to pasture. These differences make organic milk a choice for those who prioritize environmentally sustainable and animal-friendly farming practices and wish to minimize exposure to synthetic chemicals in their dairy products.

What are the health benefits of organic milk?

Here is a quick guide that highlights the five health benefits of organic milk:

1. May help children prone to skin allergies

Going organic may help reduce the incidence of skin allergies. A study conducted in the Netherlands found that children who consumed organic dairy products had a 36% lower risk of eczema.

Organic milk drinks may also contain high levels of antioxidants which have anti-inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties. Giving your children their daily dose of antioxidants can help reduce the risk of allergic reactions and strengthen their overall immunity.

2. Cognitive development and performance

Studies have shown that diets rich in Omega-3 fatty acids aid in cognitive development and performance.

Apart from fish and nuts, organic milk drinks can also be a great source of omega-3. Studies show that organic milk contains 56% more omega-3 than conventionally produced options.

Note: Keep your children’s diet in check! Take a look at this guide to learn more about food options that are rich in Omega-3. 

3. Reduced exposure to harmful chemicals and artificial ingredients

Organic dairy farms follow strict requirements and regulations to ensure the highest quality products free from the use of synthetic chemical pesticides and artificial hormones. Cows graze in natural meadows and are not given prophylactic antibiotics, performance-enhancing substances, or GMO food.

Organic milk must pass stringent quality control standards to be certified organic.  A certified organic seal means strict compliance with organic dairy farming standards starting with soil quality, livestock feeds and management, food processing, and thorough screening of ingredients.

When you choose certified organic milk, you can be assured that you’re giving your child high-quality nutrition free from pesticide residue, other harmful chemicals, and artificial ingredients.

4. Reduced exposure to antibiotic residue

Prophylactic use of antibiotics in dairy cows for faster growth and disease prevention can result in trace amounts of antibiotics present in the milk produced. Antibiotic residue levels from the milk of conventional cows may lead to antibiotic resistance and may trigger an allergic reaction.

Organic farms emphasize their cows' well-being and raise them in better living conditions without the preventive use of antibiotics. Sick cows that require antibiotic treatment are separated and quarantined to ensure that trace amounts of antibiotics are not present in the milk they produce.

5. Free from GMOs

The use of Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) has been associated with potential health harms, including allergic reactions. Over the past few years, there have been many debates and questions regarding the use of GMOs. To this day, conventional farmers use GMOs to increase the yield of their crops; however, in many countries, GMOs are banned due to the unknown health risks they may pose to humans. 

Feeding cows with GMO synthetic feeds is strictly prohibited in organic dairy farms. Instead, cows freely graze on natural pastures reducing the potential health risks from GMO crops.

Where does the milk for HiPP organic products come from?

HiPP is a family-owned company dedicated to organic farming principles for over 60 years. At HiPP, we believe that organic is best for children and for our animals too. This is why our cows are cared for using traditional methods –spending most of their time grazing freely on organic green pastures, with plenty of access to fresh air and open plains. They eat organic feed that’s free from genetically modified ingredients, chemicals, and pesticides. And, with our focus on the highest animal welfare standards, we ensure our cows are never routinely given hormones and antibiotics.

HiPP is the No. 1 Organic baby food brand in Europe. Our Organic Milk products are certified organic and produced according to strict organic regulations, free from the use of synthetic chemical pesticides, artificial hormones, GMOs, and artificial ingredients.

Frequently asked questions on organic milk:

References:

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