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CrowdScience

Which milk is best for me and the planet?

CrowdScience

BBC

Science

4.81K Ratings

🗓️ 29 March 2019

⏱️ 33 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Swapping dairy milk for a plant-based milk is a growing trend that promises environmental benefits. But what is the best milk considering both our health and the planet’s? Scottish listener Nancy asks CrowdScience to unpick the pros and cons of plant-based milks. Presenter Graihagh Jackson digs into the research and finds that if the whole world were willing to swap dairy for soy, we would free up a land mass the size of Australia and reduce greenhouse gas emissions dramatically. So in theory the planet would be happier – but would we? Milk is packed with calcium and other nutrients that we humans need in our diet. And the ability to digest the sugar in dairy called ‘lactose’ is, according to evolutionary geneticist Mark Thomas, the most advantageous genetic mutation in human history. So can we live without it? Presenter: Graihagh Jackson Producer: Louisa Field

(Image: A family enjoying milk at breakfast. Credit: Getty Images)

Transcript

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0:00.0

Take some time for yourself with soothing classical music from the mindful mix, the Science of

0:07.0

Happiness Podcast.

0:08.0

For the last 20 years I've dedicated my career to exploring the science of living a happier more meaningful life and I want

0:14.4

to share that science with you.

0:16.1

And just one thing, deep calm with Michael Mosley.

0:19.4

I want to help you tap in to your hidden relaxation response system and open the door to that

0:25.4

calmer place within. Listen on BBC Sounds.

0:30.3

Hi Patrick IE here I've made a brand new podcast called 30 Animals That Made A Smarter.

0:37.0

It's about how animals have inspired innovations in science and technology, and animals will be really upset if you don't check it out but back to the

0:45.3

podcast you've chosen to listen to now.

0:47.0

Cheers.

0:51.0

Down we go. Cheers. And down it goes.

0:55.0

And down it goes, smooth as, well, milk.

0:59.0

I can have a milk mustache. Do I?

1:04.0

I'm Greer Jackson and this week on crowd science.

1:07.0

It's all about, you guessed it, milk.

1:10.0

Let's meet the person who started us on this milk mustache mission.

1:17.0

My great-grandma's nancy nern and then my grandma's nancy nern and I'm Nancy Nearn.

1:23.0

Nancy Nearn. Nancy Nearn.

1:26.0

So I've landed on Nearn, it's just Nearn.

1:28.0

She's one in a long line of Nerns.

1:30.0

And like me, NAN gets asked a lot about her name.

...

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