Can Drinking Too Much Milk Make Your Bones More Brittle?

If you drink milk to keep your bones strong, there’s good logic in it. Milk and dairy products are concentrated calcium sources, and we know calcium fortifies bones and prevents osteoporosis.

However, can drinking too much milk make your bones more brittle? Researcher and dietitian Gail Cresci, PhD, RD, walks through whether or not it’s safe to drink a lot of milk.

Should I cut back on my milk intake?

A Swedish study suggests that while milk may be good, more is not better.

This study found that too much milk – three or more glasses a day – was not only associated with mortality but also an increased risk of fracture and hip fracture.

Plus, it found that women who reported drinking three or more glasses of milk each day nearly doubled their risk of death in relation to women who drank less than one glass each day. Men were not as affected as women, but those who drank three or more glasses of milk each day still showed a significant increase in mortality.

A separate study reported that higher milk and dairy product consumption does not necessarily lower the risk of osteoporosis and hip fracture as noted in cohort studies versus looking at case-control and cross-sectional studies.

Does this mean you shouldn’t drink milk? Don’t go shunning the jug just yet.

One study found that milk contributes to meet nutritional recommendations and may help protect against chronic diseases. Although it’s true that milk and dairy are among the most calcium-rich foods you can eat, there are other substances in milk that may warrant some moderation.

“While the Swedish study raises interesting questions, there is not strong enough evidence to warrant a restriction on milk,” says Dr. Cresci.

The importance of vitamin D and diet

Vitamin D and a diet filled with calcium is key to strong bones.

“Calcium is linked with bone health, but vitamin D promotes calcium absorption and maintains adequate blood levels of calcium and phosphate to allow for normal bone mineralization,” says Dr. Cresci.

Without enough vitamin D, bones can become thin and brittle and the formation of strong new bone can be prevented. Vitamin D protects older adults against osteoporosis. Your doctor may suggest you get a blood test done to figure out your vitamin D level. However, no such test exists for calcium levels.

While milk contains 300 mg of calcium per cup, there are many other good dietary sources to keep in mind. Make sure you’re eating an adequate amount of calcium by including cheese, yogurt, greens (collards, kale), soybeans, figs, broccoli, oranges, sardines and salmon (with bones) and many fortified foods into your food rotation.

“If you want to drink milk for strong bones, I recommend no more than one glass a day,” says Dr. Cresci. “Do this in addition to a mixed diet rich in calcium. If you are unable to consume adequate amounts in your diet, consider supplementation with about 1200 mg of calcium and 600 to 800 IU of vitamin D daily, especially in winter months.”

Milk and dairy consumption is associated with reduced risk of some chronic diseases and had a beneficial effect on bone mineral density, but not risk of bone fracture. Milk consumption has some evidence to support against chronic diseases (type 2 diabetes), cardiovascular disease (stroke) and some cancers (colorectal, bladder, gastric, breast).

Consult with your doctor or dietitian before taking any new supplements.