Organic Milk vs Regular Milk: What Should Pregnant Women Drink?

Women who are either pregnant or breastfeeding may be risking their babies' development when they choose to drink organic milk instead of regular milk. A study done by experts from University of Reading in the United Kingdom has discovered that organic milk has less iodine content, a crucial element to a healthier brain.

In a report from The Guardian, Professor Ian Givens noted that consumers in the United Kingdom usually lean on buying organic milk, including ultra-high temperature (UHT) processed long-life milk, because it is readily available at the stores.

"But our research shows that this trend could have serious implications for public health," said Givens. "Iodine deficiency ought to be a health problem from the past. But unless this situation is carefully monitored, we risk sleepwalking into a new health crisis in the 21st century," the professor added.

While drinking any type of milk is generally good and can bring many health benefits, a pregnant or lactating mother may need to drink more glasses of organic milk to receive iodine, as opposed to drinking normal amounts of regular milk. Unlike other countries, where bread and salt are the main sources for the nutrient, the British rely on milk for 40 percent of its average daily iodine intake, the study further reiterates.

But because more and more individuals prefer organic, the lifestyle choice has had some significant impact, especially to women's health.  Some 70 percent of British teenage girls, potential mothers in the future, are already exhibiting iodine deficiency, revealed the experts.

Meanwhile, sectors that manufacturer organic milk have issued a rebuttal to this study via the Daily Mail, citing that organic milk delivers excellent benefits to the heart because of its omega-3 fatty acids component. The industry is also thriving because they look out for the welfare of animals. They don't feed the cows any artificial vitamins or supplements.

Organic milk manufacturers also point out that the study done by the university is outdated, with procedures in organic milk production having undergone changes in the last year and half to ascertain that its herd receive iodine. In the same Daily Mail report, a manufacturer, Peter Melchett, said that the health benefits of organic milk have already been "scientifically proven."

Back in the 1930s, iodine deficiency was a major health problem, as thousands of people developed a condition marked by the swelling of the thyroid glands, otherwise known as goiter. Givens and his team's study fears that the same thing could happen if milk consumption habits do not change. The findings of the study, which was conducted last January, was submitted to Food Chemistry, a medical journal, according to the same report from The Guardian.