Shavuot milk way

Human consumption of milk goes back to the Neolithic Age, when agriculture and the raise of domestic animals began. In that period milk was stored in animal's skins, bowels or bladders. According to a legend, the elaboration of lactic products was discovered by accident by a young Arabian shepherdess, who had been storing milk in a sheepskin recipient. After a few days' journey the milk had fermented and had turned into a strange-looking kind of clotted cream. Since the woman was very hungry, she tried some of it and it didn't displease her. Thus one of the first lactic products to be mentioned in the Bible made its appearance: curd cheese.

(My thanks to Rabí Daniel ben Itzjak, Raquel Warcowicki, Karina Chomski, Armando Carciente (Rabinato de Madrid),Tareixa Enríquez and Anselmo Segarra).

The benefits of milk

From the point of view of nutrition, milk is an excellent supplier of calcium, proteins and vitamins for the development of bones and teeth. During childhood and adolescence it is recommended to consume whole milk, because it contains the energy and vitamins A and B which are associated to the fat. During adult age it is important to keep up the intake of milk in order to preserve the bones and to prevent their demineralization, which frequently causes osteoporosis and bone fractures in older adults. Since milk also contains triptophane, -amino-acids with tranquilizing effects-, the consumption of milk is also recommended to prevent insomnia and anxiety.

Lactic intolerances
Despite its nutritional qualities, there are some cases in which cow\\\\\\\\'s milk should not be consumed:

Intolerance to lactose This disease is the incapacity of digesting lactose (the sugar of the milk). The intake of milk thus can result in production of gases, stomach ache, spasms and diarrhoea. Close to a 20 percent of older persons develop intolerance to lactose. Depending on age and each case, yoghurts and mature cheese are a safer option.

Milk allergy It is caused by a hypersensitivity to the milk proteins. The allergic reaction can cause rhinitis or diarrhoea, but can also develop dermatitis and asthma. Those affected by this allergy can resort to vegetable milk (soy, rice, potato, almond, oats or hazelnut), which is sold at chemist\\\\\\\\'s and health food stores.