Why does pasteurized milk last longer

But in the United States, most consumers demand fresh milk, so shelf-stable variations are a little hard to find. UHT pasteurization also kills off some of the vitamins normally found in milk, like folate, but not to a nutritionally significant degree. But Why? Bruce Applegate and colleagues at Purdue University have developed a low temperature short time modification to the pasteurization process that subjects milk to more heat under low pressure.

Using special equipment they took regular pasteurized milk and sprayed it through nozzles at a controlled pressure. Pasteurization alone killed bacteria by a factor of five on a scientific count, but the additional step boosted this to seven or eight. There were no signs of the milk going bad i. This new process could not only extend the shelf life of fresh milk but also potentially allow it to be transported further, opening up new markets for farmers.

By providing your email, you agree to the Quartz Privacy Policy. For this reason, organic milk needs to stand the test of time. Hence UHT treatments. Organic milk contains a lower ratio of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids than regular milk. This is because cows that feed on grass produce milk with an improved fatty acid profile and higher protein levels. By comparison, cows that eat a diet high in corn produce milk that contains higher omega-6 fatty acids. But when you eat too much omega-6 fatty acids and not enough omega-3 fatty acids, you are more at risk for heart disease, cancer, inflammation, and other autoimmune diseases, per NBC News.

So, is it really worth the splurge? There is no short answer. Generally, organic milk is accepted as the healthier option, as it has a more ideal ratio of omega-6 fatty acids to omega-3 fatty acids. Ultimately, the choice is up to you.

If you come to the conclusion that organic milk is not worth paying for, traditional milk still has ample nutritious value. However, you may want to reach for whole milk in lieu of other lower-fat options. Organic milk does not mean dairy-free. For this reason, organic milk may still contain lactose, the sugar in milk that lactose-intolerant people are generally allergic to. Organic milk is therefore not lactose-free, so anyone who cannot eat dairy for dietary purposes whether lactose-free or vegan should not drink organic milk expecting it to be sans lactose.

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