Raw Milk Research

3 peer-reviewed studies supporting this intervention. Evidence rating: C

3 Studies
0 RCTs
0 Meta-analyses
2011-2015 Year Range

Study Comparison

Study Year Type Journal Key Finding
Lucey JA et al. 2015 Study Nutrition Today Comprehensive review concluding that claimed health benefits of raw milk lack scientific support while foodborne illness risks are well-documented
Mummah S et al. 2014 Study Annals of Family Medicine Randomized crossover trial found no difference in lactose intolerance symptoms between raw milk and pasteurized milk, debunking the claim that raw milk lactase aids digestion
Loss G et al. 2011 Study Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Farm milk consumption associated with 41% reduced asthma risk in children, but effect confounded by overall farm exposure and present even with boiled milk

Study Details

Lucey JA

Nutrition Today

Key Finding: Comprehensive review concluding that claimed health benefits of raw milk lack scientific support while foodborne illness risks are well-documented
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Thorough scientific review examining both the claimed benefits and documented risks of raw milk consumption. Written by a dairy science professor at University of Wisconsin-Madison, evaluating the evidence base for popular raw milk claims.

Mummah S, Oelrich B, Hope J, Vu Q, Gardner CD

Annals of Family Medicine

Key Finding: Randomized crossover trial found no difference in lactose intolerance symptoms between raw milk and pasteurized milk, debunking the claim that raw milk lactase aids digestion
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Stanford randomized, double-blind, crossover trial directly testing the widespread claim that lactose intolerant individuals can better tolerate raw milk due to intact lactase enzyme. This is one of the only rigorous RCTs specifically testing raw milk digestibility claims.

Loss G, Apprich S, Waser M, et al.

Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology

Key Finding: Farm milk consumption associated with 41% reduced asthma risk in children, but effect confounded by overall farm exposure and present even with boiled milk
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Large cross-sectional study (GABRIELA) examining the relationship between farm milk consumption and allergic diseases in children across rural areas of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. Part of ongoing research into the "farm effect" on childhood allergies.

Evidence Assessment

C Limited Evidence

This intervention has preliminary evidence from early-stage research, mechanistic studies, or observational data. More rigorous trials are needed.