Do humans require milk of another species to live happy and healthy lives?

Last updated 31/01/2025

People have been consuming milk for thousands of years, recognising the nutrition benefits and evolutionary advantage. Milk provides essential nutrients important for children and adults alike - including calcium, protein, B vitamins and iodine.

When it is possible, it is recommended babies drink the milk of their own species and this is why breastfeeding is the ideal choice for infants. Most mammals discontinue drinking this milk once they have been weaned onto solid foods but cow's milk is recognised as a nutritious food to be included in the Australian diet after 12 months of age.

People have retained the ability to digest lactose into adulthood - though to varying degrees depending on genetics. Some believe that persistence of the lactase enzyme (which is needed to digest lactose) into adulthood was a genetic adaptation to the prevalence of dairy farming in a culture (1).

In general, many humans consume the milk of other species in the same way they consume other animal products such as meat or eggs because all provide important nutrients. People have been consuming milk for thousands of years, recognising the benefits and evolutionary advantage. This is not feasible for other species but in cases when milk is readily available other species do consume it.

The range of nutrients provided by milk and other dairy foods can be hard to replace with other foods, but not impossible. People can still live healthy lives without consuming milk under the guidance of their healthcare practitioner (e.g. GP and dietitian).

Dairy foods’ nutrient package can be hard to replace with other foods (2), however healthcare professionals (e.g. GPs and Dietitians) can advise on how to maintain a healthy diet without dairy, if desired.