I often come across variations of this question, and they tend to misconstrue the nature of food consumption.

No food was specifically “designed” for humans, be it milk, meat, or any plant-based food. In general, animals have evolved to consume the resources available in their environment, rather than the resources being tailored for their consumption. Occasionally, there may be selective pressures on species that are consumed to develop traits that make them more appealing to their consumers. For instance, fruits are sweet and colorful to attract animals that eat them and aid in seed dispersal. However, the primary goal for most organisms is to avoid being eaten. Animals run and hide, while plants develop physical defenses like tough outer layers, spikes, or produce chemicals that deter other organisms from consuming or relying on them. As animals, we have found ways to overcome these defenses. Predators evolve traits that help them spot hidden prey, chase them down, or employ stealth tactics to prevent them from escaping. Herbivores, on the other hand, develop teeth or digestive systems that can counteract the defenses of plants. Our evolution has allowed us to consume species, both plant and animal, that actively resist being eaten.

Now, let’s consider milk. The milk of non-human species is optimized for the specific needs of those species, such as cow’s milk for cows and goat’s milk for goats. However, these milks still contain nutrients that are beneficial for us, enabling us to consume them. The fact that milk wasn’t specifically developed for us doesn’t make it inherently detrimental to our health. It’s no different than rice being beneficial for us as it evolved to propagate more rice plants. Instead, we have evolved in a way that allows us to take advantage of milk’s nutritional properties. In fact, approximately one-third of the human population has developed an evolutionary adaptation known as adult lactase persistence, which enables us to continue digesting milk throughout our lives. Like any other food, milk isn’t universally healthy for all individuals, but it is not inherently unhealthy either. It simply serves as a source of nourishment, just like any other food.