Confession #31: I only drink organic milk

Before you think that I am some kind of organic nut, I will point out that milk is the only product I buy that has to be organic. Sure, if I see organic produce that isn't too pricey, I will purchase it; however, I will not refuse to buy produce if it is not organic. 

For a long time I drank organic milk just because that is all my mother would buy for us. I never questioned why. When I graduated high school and moved across the state for college, I was presented with a dilemma. At my grocery store, a half-gallon of non-organic milk costs $2.49, whereas a half-gallon of organic milk costs $3.79. That means I can buy 3 half-gallons of non-organic milk or 2 half-gallons of organic milk. I'm sorry, but a broke college student is going to pick the cheapest option every time. That extra money will most likely be spent on dollar tacos at Taco Bell.

So when I finally got curious as to why people choose to spend more money on organic milk, the research astounded and disgusted me. I will point out some interesting facts for you to mull over (from here and here):

1. Farmers are treating cows with a hormone called rbST to increase milk production. Some researchers have found that this hormone can lead to cancer of the colon, breast and prostate.
2. Many cows that are treated with rbST develop a condition called mastitis, which causes the farmers to treat the cows with antibiotics. This, in turn, causes milk-drinking humans to develop an increased resistance to antibiotics.
3. Cows are also treated with reproductive hormones. It is unknown what kind of damage this can cause to humans but come on....it can't be good.
4. Organic milk contains more essential omega-3 fatty acids.
5. Organic milk comes from cows that are fed grass, instead of feed that can contain meat and growth hormones.

I will point out that some researchers argue that pasteurization eliminates many of the toxins that cows come into contact with. I read one research study that claimed that 90% of hormones are killed during pasteurization. I think it is important to point out both sides but, at least for me, I do not think it is worth it to risk 10% of those hormones entering my body. I would rather pay the extra $1.30 and have peace of mind.