Did you know that one in four Americans is dairy intolerant?

Since 1937, the dairy industry has declared June to be “National Dairy Month” and used it as a marketing tool to promote the consumption of dairy products. But consumers are getting wiser, and thanks to recent studies by the Harvard School of Public Health and many others, we now know that dairy is not essential or even beneficial to our health.

As stated by Dieticians for Professional Integrity, “Federal nutrition guidelines on dairy have been largely influenced by dairy industry lobbying and industry-funded research which at often times trumped objective science.”

Here are five reasons to pass up the marketing hype this June and ditch dairy for good!

1. Gut Bloating

If you have a sensitivity to cow’s milk or are lactose intolerant, you’re not alone. Millions of people all over the world experience digestive distress from dairy. By exploring some non-dairy options, you may experience less bloating and fewer gut issues.

2. Animal Cruelty

Dairy cows are forced to give birth over and over, only to experience the heartache of having their newborn babies being stolen from them so we can add their milk to our coffee and cereal. Many cows cry for days while mourning the loss of their babies, and some are so distraught they stop eating. If her calf is male, he’s considered a waste of space to the industry because he can’t produce milk, so he is either killed shortly after birth or sold to a veal farm. If her calf is female, she will be removed and raised on a mixture of milk (that has usually been rejected for human consumption) and will grow up to suffer the same fate as her mother. Once her productivity drops after 3-4 forced pregnancies, she too will be sent to slaughter at a fraction of her natural lifespan.

3.  Growth Hormones and Antibiotics

Dairy cows are routinely given growth hormones and antibiotics to speed sexual maturation and increase their size and milk production. All of these drugs eventually end up inside of your body when you consume dairy products.

4. Saturated Fat and Cholesterol

Dairy contains high levels of saturated fat and cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease and hypertension. Giving up the animal protein in milk, cheese, and yogurt can lower your cholesterol and decrease blood pressure. In patients who already suffer from heart disease, giving up dairy has been shown to reverse the signs of heart disease.

5. Skin Consequences

Studies have shown that dairy consumption can trigger or worsen conditions such as acne, rashes, dermatitis, and eczema. When you ditch dairy, your body has fewer waste products to process, and you can enjoy a newfound healthy glow!

Want to enjoy the many benefits of going dairy-free? Try our 21 Day Dairy-Free Challenge today!