Consider the Benefits of Organic Milk
Organic milk comes from farms that do not use antibiotics to fight infections or hormones to increase milk production. In order to ensure that this milk will still be safe to drink after the time it takes to get it to market, organic milk typically uses ultra high temperature processing, which heats the milk to 210 Fahrenheit for between two and four seconds in order to kill any bacteria in it. This process not only increases the shelf life of organic milk, but it allows grocers to put this milk on shelves without refrigeration and it will last up to six months.
There are some drawbacks to ultra high temperature processing, which is why not all milk is processed using that technique. Some of its sugars are burned, a procedure called caramelization, and this sweetens the flavor of the milk slightly. A very few of the vitamins that are normally available in milk are also destroyed. The ultra high temperature processing also makes this organic milk unusable for making cheese.
In addition to the absence of pesticides and hormones, the advantages of organic milk include protecting young children against asthma and eczema. Breastfeeding mothers who drink organic milk have a better quality of breast milk.
Despite the destruction of some of the vitamins that ultra high temperature processing does, organic milk starts out with amounts of vitamins E and A, that it will get to the consumer with more of these vitamins than conventionally processed milk.
Organic milk has more omega-3s, essential fatty acids that promote healthy growth and appear to inhibit such diseases as cancer, arthritis, and eczema. The omega-3 called DHA is important for brain development, and it is present in raw organic milk in higher concentrations than regular milk.
Conjugated linoleic acid, a substance that increases metabolism, immunity, and muscle growth is present in organic milk in higher concentrations than in regular milk.
Consider the benefits of organic milk next time you go to the grocery store to buy milk. The higher price brings a higher quality.