JC Activist groups often promote this myth based on the fact young animals are weaned, and few adult animals actively seek milk as a food, therefore suggesting we should wean ourselves from dairy post-infancy.
It is true that, as humans, we don’t specifically need any particular food, as we actually require a mixture of nutrients that can be obtained from a variety of foods.
See also: England rugby star Joe Marler credits whole milk for miraculous recovery
Many of the “dairy alternatives” on the market contain far fewer essential daily nutrients and are often associated with a higher environmental cost
Jude Capper, livestock sustainability consultant
However, dairy products provide a balanced package of essential nutrients that are readily available to humans (unlike, for example, many plant proteins) and that convey additional benefits in terms of micronutrients such as conjugated linoleic acid that act as anti-obesity or cancer-preventive agents.
By contrast, many of the “dairy alternatives” on the market contain far fewer essential daily nutrients and are often associated with a higher environmental cost.