Weight loss expert Dr Michael Mosley has warned people to think carefully before switching away from dairy. It comes after he explained that he now drinks full-fat cows milk since weighing up the evidence.
In a post on his Fast 800 Instagram page, the doctor says that unless you really understand what is involved, switching from dairy milk to plant based alternatives could be bad for your body. He says that it could have a negative impact on bones, the heart and brain.
Presenter Michael Mosley also warned that skinny versions of milk might have the opposite effect. The post explains that he thinks full-fat milk is best because it contains high levels of protein and is a good source of calcium for healthy bones.
Read more: Dr Michael Mosley says to cut 3 foods to speed up weight loss
The milk is also a good source of iodine which is essential for brain development in babies as well as regulating mood and metabolism in adults. It contains essential vitamins and nutrients including Vitamin B12, Vitamin A and Vitamin D.
Not only that, the milk is a good source of good fats, like Omega 3 which is linked to slowing cognitive decline, reducing anxiety and depression. The post adds that the extra fat can also help curb hunger pains.
Last year it was reported that one in three Britons drink plant based alternatives including oat, almond, soya and coconut milk. Research from Mintel said that 32% who took part in the survey in 2021 drank plant based milks which was up from 25% in 2020.
Yet Michael Mosley says these dairy alternatives contain just two percent of the among of iodine found in cows milk. Young women tend to have the lowest levels of iodine but are the most likely demographic to consume plant-based alternatives.
Dr Mosley said: "I switched from full-fat milk to skimmed in the 1980s, amid fears that saturated fat could impact my heart health and my waistline. The trouble was, I found skimmed milk (which is about 0.3 per cent fat) so watery I couldn’t stomach it, so chose semi-skimmed (1.6 per cent fat) instead.
"This green-top milk remained my go-to for many years until last year. I returned to blue-top after reading a number of recent studies which showed the sorts of saturated fat you find in milk and dairy seems to be protective rather than harmful."
He added: "To many people’s great surprise (including me), there have been a large number of recent studies demonstrating that full-fat milk drinkers not only tend to be slimmer than those on lower-fat varieties, but also have a lower risk of metabolic syndrome – or raised blood pressure, elevated blood sugars and raised levels of fats in the blood that can increase your risk of heart disease."
READ NEXT:
Warwick Davis gathered family to say goodbye during wife's sepsis battle
Nottingham barbers could soon help detect serious health problems
The number of Covid cases at Nottinghamshire hospitals as UK infections jump by 30%
New sick note rules come into force across the UK in a bid to make it easier for patients
