$JES 921 Book of Compassion Reverence For All Life Reference Book

Author(s): Pramoda Chitrabhanu, Pravin K Shah
Publisher: JAINA Education Committee

Page 31

4. - MILK – ITS IMPACT ON HEALTH, CRUELTY, AND POLLUTION
: By Pritish Nandy The Times of India, Tuesday 11 April 2000
04 - Milk - Its Impact on Health, Cruelty,
and Pollution
Ayurveda actually lists milk as one of the 'five white poisons'. She (Menaka Gandhi) has stirred a hornet's nest with her campaign against milk. Even hardcore veggies have attacked Menaka Gandhi and religious leaders have openly come out to contradict her. Curiously, on her side now is global research and modern science, of which she has been a long-term critic. They are the ones who are defending her now.
You have come out very strongly against milk. Why are you so hostile to it?
There are three reasons.
People's health is compromised by milk Cruelty to cows and Pollutants in milk
Health Issues Would you like to explain why do you think milk is unhealthy? There is this belief that milk is a complete food and an important source of protein, iron and calcium.
Milk has no iron; however, it also blocks its absorption.
The ability of the body to absorb calcium from milk is barely 32%. Whereas the body can absorb, 65% from cabbage and 69% from cauliflower.
Milk has less protein than most vegetables. Even if we assume it contains more protein, it would be useless for human beings. Because human beings require only 4 to 5
percent of their daily calorie intake in proteins. The daily consumption of Indian bread (Chapattis) and potatoes would give more protein than the requirements. So, milk is not the best food in the world as it has been touted for generations?
THE BOOK OF COMPASSION
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