Science-Based Research and Powerful Testimonials
If you want to learn more about the many benefits of raw milk, you’ve come to the right place. Here you’ll find scientific studies as well as testimonials of those whose lives have been changed by raw milk.
Click the links below to jump to these sections on the page or to detailed articles about these topics.
Nutritional Benefits of Raw Milk
In many ways, raw milk is similar to breastmilk: both are completely natural, fresh, and unprocessed milks. They both contain a wide variety of essential nutrients, fats, proteins, anti-inflammatory and digestive enzymes, bioavailable vitamins, and minerals, all in a natural form which is most easily utilized by the body. In addition, raw milk facilitates production of lactase enzyme in the intestinal tract, allowing many people who are lactose intolerant to digest raw milk with no problems.
Raw Milk Compared to Other Milks
Studies about Benefits of Raw Milk
Main Findings
Large epidemiological studies have found that raw milk consumption is correlated with lower rates of:
Below are further details about some of the raw milk studies.
Asthma and allergies - The protective effect of farm milk consumption on childhood asthma and atopy: The GABRIELA study - https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(11)01234-6/fulltext This study of 8,334 children shows that consumption of raw milk is inversely associated with asthma and allergies and concluded that "Consumption of any unboiled farm milk was consistently inversely associated with asthma, hay fever, and atopy in both exclusive and mixed farm milk drinkers. Early exposure and daily consumption of farm [raw] milk showed a stronger inverse association with health outcomes in mixed milk drinkers."
Eczema and allergies - Which aspects of the farming lifestyle explain the inverse association with childhood allergy? – https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749(06)00651-8/fulltext - This study of 4,767 European children found that “unpasteurized milk consumption was associated with significantly less current eczema symptoms... and a greater reduction in atopy [allergies].”
Ear Infections, Fever, Respiratory Infections - Consumption of unprocessed cow's milk protects infants from common respiratory infections – https://www.jacionline.org/article/S0091-6749%2814%2901274-3/fulltext This study of 983 European infants looked at consumption of raw milk, pasteurized milk, and ultra-high temperature pasteurized milk alongside occurrence of respiratory tract infections, rhinitis (runny nose), otitis (ear infections), and fever. This study thus found that, as raw milk consumption increased, the incidence of runny nose, respiratory tract infections, fevers, and ear infections decreased. The researchers concluded that, “The protective effects of raw cow's milk on infections were comparable to those of breast-feeding, suggesting similar anti-infective properties of bovine and human milk.”
Milk Allergies - Prenatal exposure to a farm environment modifies atopic sensitization at birth - This study of 922 children shows that there is a lower incidence of milk allergy in children whose mothers consumed raw milk, and in increase in milk allergy in children whose mothers consumed pasteurized (boiled) milk.
Allergies - Atopic sensitization in the first year of life - This study of 793 European children shows that there is a higher incidence of milk allergy in children who are consuming pasteurized milk, whereas consumption of raw milk correlated to less milk allergy.
Asthma, allergies, and infections - The Beneficial Effect of Farm Milk Consumption on Asthma, Allergies, and Infections: From Meta-Analysis of Evidence to Clinical Trial - https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31770653 This meta-analysis showed that raw milk consumption in childhood has a protective effect on asthma, current wheeze, allergic rhinitis (hay fever), and atopic sensitization (allergies to environmental triggers and food allergens). When the previous raw milk studies were criticized, the detractors instead attributed the protective health effects to the farm environment rather than raw milk. However, the 2019 meta-analysis shows differently: “The effect particularly on asthma was observed not only in children raised on farms… but also in children living in rural areas but not on a farm.” This demonstrates that the effect of farm milk consumption is independent of other farm exposures and that children not living on a farm can theoretically profit from this effect.
Allergy protection ceases when raw milk is heated to 149 °F, which is the same temperature at which the whey proteins are denatured. It is likely that the raw whey proteins are responsible for raw milk’s beneficial effects on allergies, asthma, and inflammation.
Childhood consumption of raw milk correlates with higher pulmonary (lung) function and lower incidence of allergic diseases in adults.
Raw milk’s beneficial effects on asthma are partially mediated by regulatory T cells.
For a comprehensive list of studies about the health benefits of raw milk, visit the British Columbia Herdshare Association.
Resource Links
The Health Benefits of Raw Milk
Peer-reviewed studies showing that farm-fresh, unprocessed milk has many health benefits.
A Campaign for Real Milk (a project of The Weston A. Price Foundation) provides a wealth of information on raw milk, including its history, safety record, benefits, and current issues. Their site map is a great page to browse.
Maintained by the Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund, this map of the United State shows, state by state, what’s legal and what’s not.
This easy-to-use site will let you figure out which producer your milk is from.
British Columbia Herdshare Association (BCHA)
The BCHA is a resource for supporting and advancing the interests of the herdshare community in British Columbia, Canada. They are working towards the legalization of herdshare farms in British Colombia.
Australian Raw Milk Movement (ARMM)
Australia is currently one of only three countries globally with a blanket ban on the sale of raw cow’s milk for human consumption. The ARMM is working towards the legalization of raw milk in Australia.
UC Davis Splash! Milk Science Update Newsletter
Founded by Danielle Lemay in March 2012 with financial assistance from the California Dairy Research Foundation and the International Milk Genomics Consortium, this monthly publication highlights advances milk science.
Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund (FTCLDF)
The Farm-to-Consumer Legal Defense Fund is a grassroots non-profit organization that protects the rights of farmers to sell the products of the farm and the rights of consumers to access the foods of their choice from the source of their choice.
Consumption of Unprocessed Cow’s Milk Protects Infants from Common Respiratory Infections
Early life consumption of raw cow’s milk reduced the risk of respiratory infections and fever by about 30%. The main finding of this analysis was that consumption of unprocessed cow’s milk protects infants from rhinitis, respiratory tract infections, and otitis (ear infections).
Dairy Products and the French paradox: Could alkaline phosphatases play a role?
‘The French paradox’ – high saturated fat consumption but low incidence of cardiovascular disease and mortality – is still unresolved and continues to be a matter of debate and controversy. Recently, it was hypothesised that the high consumption of dairy products, and especially cheese by the French population might contribute to the explanation of the French paradox. This peer-reviewed article looks at the “alkaline phosphatase” hypothesis. Alkaline phosphatase (IAP), a potent endogenous anti-inflammatory enzyme, is directly stimulated by various components of milk.
The Effects of Pasteurization and BCM7 Protein Levels in Raw Milk
This peer reviewed and published 2007 study performed by Polish researchers found that raw A1 and A2 milk was the same when RAW with trace differences of the BCM7. However, when that same raw milk was processed with high heat, the processed A1 milk expressed high levels of BCM7 casomorphine.
This study strongly suggests that it is not the raw milk from A1 or A2 cows that is the problem because their milk is virtually the same when raw, it is the processing of the milk that is the problem. When A1 milk is heated the BCM 7 levels rise and potential issues become significant.
This also strongly suggests that the entire A1-A2 issue became a health matter in the last 80 years and has not been a health issue for thousands of years when raw milk was consumed all over the world with excellent health benefits.
Scholarly Review of Raw Milk Benefits
Dr. Joe Heckman at Rutgers University provides a peer reviewed and published article covering the 150 year modern history of raw milk, current science, food safety, recent studies, and powerful health benefits. He provides a unique and very accurate perceptive on why raw milk has reemerged as a consumer driven food in spite of government warnings to not consume it. Dr. Heckman makes note of the origins of the physicians supervised raw milk (the AAMMC in 1893) and follows raw milk up to 2017 with emerging EU studies that discover that raw milk is very effective at reduction of colds and ear infections by 30%, and is effective at preventing asthma and eczema.
This review is an excellent document for a family to provide to the family doctor that may have doubts about the efficacy of raw milk as a treatment modality for ear infections, asthma, dairy allergies, gut and digestive issues, eczema, and bone density challenges.
Fermentation of Milk and the Effects on Blood Pressure
This also strongly suggests that daily consumption of fermented milk with the addition of L. Lactis may reduce blood pressure.
Fresh (Raw) Milk Keeps Infections at Bay
This the LMU study from Erica Von Mutius that shows that children that drink raw milk are protected from ear infections and have reduced colds.
Raw Milk Symposiums presented by the Weston A. Price Foundation in 2014 and 2015 include topics such as the health benefits of raw milk, understanding raw milk data, and raw milk micro-dairies.
The Health Benefits and Low Food Safety Risk of Raw Milk
This research study explains the powerful benefits of raw milk and its safety, utilizing testing results from RAWMI Listed Farmers.
Lactose Intolerance and the Human Microbiome
Even though only 1 out of every 20 Mongolians has the gene mutation for digesting lactose, dairy is a substantial part of the traditional Mongolian diet. This research is investigating the microbiome of Mongolians that allows them to digest lactose even though they are technically lactose-intolerant.
This open access chapter describes the growth characteristics of Staph aureus and the factors that are important to control in raw cheese production.
Testimonials
Testimonial 1
Raw milk heals!! I have been considered “lactose intolerant” for most of my childhood and adult life. Every time I drink pastuerized milk I have severe stomach pains and nausea. When my three daughters were weaned from breastfeeding and began to drink pasteurized milk they would have the same symptoms along with severe constipation that led to many urinary tract infections.
My youngest, now two years old, refused to drink pasteurized milk and would throw her sippy cup of milk across the room because it gave her so much discomfort. I tried all the baby formulas, rice milk etc. and they all made her symptoms worse.
A dear friend and Weston A. Price Chapter co-leader gave us a gallon of raw milk to try over a year ago. All I can say is WOW!!!!! What a difference from day one of drinking the raw milk. Instantly, upon the first sip, my daughters and I were hooked. It was delicious and soothing. None of the symptoms we had with pasteurized milk occurred with raw milk!
Today, our guts are healed! Our pediatrician noticed how well my children looked and that their symptoms and infections had stopped. She now informs her other patients of the benefits of raw milk.
My children beg for raw milk every day and love to go to the farm where we purchase it. My two year old runs to the farmer’s refrigerator and happily squeals, “I wanta my milka now Mommy!” Thank you for protecting raw milk – milk the way it was meant to be!! (LW)
Testimonial 2
In August of this year (2011) I began noticing my diastolic blood pressure was elevated to over 100 (i.e. 158/103). My diastolic (second number) had been in the 90s for many months and my Dr was concerned and wanting me to try medication to lower it. I didn’t want to be on meds, if I could help it, so short of loosing 40lbs immediately (which realistically wasn’t going to happen), I sought out alternatives.
I heard about the raw milk diet where you drink raw milk for 21 days (adding some raw cheese if you need extra calories for work and fresh fruit when necessary). I began this plan in late August. In the first 4 days (taking my blood pressure at mulitple and random times every day) I noticed my diastolic had dropped into the low 90s and was staying down consistently. By the end of one week, my diastolic had dropped into the 80s (never rising once into the 90s for the next two weeks or since when checked). It is December 10, 2011 and my blood pressure remains in the low 80s consistently. I still have the 40 lbs to loose and I’m working on that, but I love the wonderful results I received from drinking raw milk. I continue eating raw cheese and drinking raw milk, and though I have been told in the past I have dairy allergies, I’m having no problem with raw milk products. (KH)
Testimonial 3
My body needs raw milk. It needs the friendly bacteria which only raw milk can provide. Raw milk is rich in enzymes and pasteurization kills those enzymes. My body needs the enzymes from raw milk. Farmers and their families can drink raw milk, so I support efforts that make it easier for everyone else to have access to raw milk also. (CF)
Testimonial 4
Since I’ve started consuming raw milk and raw dairy products, I’ve noticed that my feelings of discomfort after having dairy have disappeared. I have more energy as well. And, I have to say, it just tastes so much better! (RB)
Testimonial 5
As a 50 year old private pilot I fly unpressurized small aircraft 140 hours per year. I have been flying since I was a baby on my dads lap and as a pilot since 16 years of age. Until I started drinking raw milk, I always suffered pressure changes in my sinuses and ears as I would either go up or down in altitude in my aircraft. It was painful and it was very distracting to always be concentrating on clearing my ears. The pain of sinus pressure from blocked or inflamed sinus passages was horrible.
In 2000, I began to drink raw milk. That same year, I stopped having all ear pressure clearance problems and my sinus pressure challenges went away. I know now that raw milk has elements that decrease inflammation (thus opening up eustachian tubes and airspaces etc) and increase immune function. For me this changed my life as a private pilot and my general health.
I fly as a pilot for LIGA, the Flying Doctors of Mercy, and do medical clinic work in Mexico several times per year. My doctor friends get an ear full from me about raw milk and its medical applications when I take them to Mexico now. (MM)
Testimonial 6
A number of years ago, I contracted a food-borne illness from some grapes I bought at a local grocery store. I was very sick with diarrhea. It kept getting worse and worse so I went to the doctor. He treated me with an antibiotic and the “sickness” went away, but the diarrhea stayed. I had many tests done, and we tried medication but nothing helped and all the tests came back negative. The doctor decided I had “Irritable Bowel Syndrome.” But nothing helped! Finally, after TWO YEARS of diarrhea, I tried some RAW goat milk. After ONE glass of the milk, I could tell I was getting better. Withing 24 hours I was a “new person.” Even to this day, about 4 years later, if I drink the raw milk every day, I am fine. If I don’t, the diarrhea comes back. As a result, we keep a milk goat which is very nice, but it does tie us down, certainly. It would be such a blessing to have ready access to raw milk that I could purchase locally and legally! (YB)
Testimonial 7
I was a strict vegan for about four or five years in my mid 20s. My choice to become vegan was initially based on my concerns about animal welfare, but I soon became an advocate of a vegan diet for ‘health’ reasons as well. I really did believe that a diet containing animal foods – any amount – was unhealthy. I believed this so totally that even when I began to lose the good health I’d long enjoyed, it took me a long time to see that it was my vegan diet that was making me sick.
After going through my teenage years with barely one pimple, at the end of my vegan years I had acne.
I also developed a chronic and painful bladder condition, diagnosed unofficially as Interstitial Cystitis (unofficially because official diagnosis involves an in-hospital procedure). I was told this was an incurable disease that would almost certainly get worse through my life. I was in despair. I was so uncomfortable 24 hours a day, seven days a week. At the age of 26, the thought that this discomfort would be with me through my entire life, and would increase and could lead to bladder removal, was unspeakably depressing, and terrifying.
I was also severely anemic. After having my iron levels tested, my doctor wondered how I ever got up in the morning.
My legs were covered with enormous and colorful bruises that appeared for no apparent reason.
Worst of all, I was tired all the time. It was hard to do anything. I could feel something was wrong. I just didn’t know what it could possibly be, since I was vegan, and surely had the healthiest diet a person could have. Didn’t I??????
By the grace of God I found out about ‘real food’ one March day in 2010. Reading about raw milk, pasteured meats and eggs, and the importance of fat, among other things, amazingly something clicked in my long-vegan (and no doubt B-12 deprived) brain, and I just knew what I was reading was the truth. And, slowly, I began to change my diet…
A lot changed – my whole diet changed, in fact. But I always felt that the introduction of organic, raw, whole milk from pasture-fed cows was the key to the complete revolution in my health that occurred over the following couple of years. I live in California and did drink a fair bit of Organic Pastures milk.
The acne disappeared (and my skin has a smoothness and a glow it hadn’t had for many years). The Interstitial Cystitis, and the many, many bladder infections I used to be plagued with, also disappeared. I have not had a single bladder infection since beginning to drink raw milk and eat real food nearly two years ago, while previously I was plagued with at least a few a year. My iron levels normalized, and are now high and healthy. The mysterious bruises went away, and never came back. I also put on weight – fat and muscle that I desperately needed. I am now my perfect weight, and it rarely changes. My weight has never been so stable. It’s wonderful to have a stable weight… I feel like it’s a clear sign that my body is in incredible balance.
And I have energy…. a lot of energy! So much energy that sometimes I just have to run from one room to another! And I am so, so happy!! A kind of happy that is not shaken by anything that happens on the outside. Towards the very end of my vegan days, in those final horrible months, I had started to have panic attacks. Anyone who has had one knows how awful they are, how terrifying, and how much they affect one’s general happiness and confidence. Now, fortified with amazing nutrition, including that from raw whole milk, it is hard for me to believe my body and mind were ever so starved and weak that I was having panic attacks… It is truly a miracle how my body and health have changed. I am grateful EVERY SINGLE DAY for what I know about food, and for the access that I have in California to Organic Pastures milk. I just wouldn’t be where I am or who I am today without it. (SB)