AskDocDoc
/
/
/
is milk is a pure substance
FREE!Ask Doctors — 24/7
Connect with Doctors 24/7. Ask anything, get expert help today.
500 doctors ONLINE
#1 Medical Platform
Ask question for free
00H : 21M : 51S
background image
Click Here
background image
Nutrition & Diet
Question #18708
69 days ago
105

is milk is a pure substance - #18708

Palak

I am curious about something regarding how we think about milk. Like, I've been drinking milk all my life, but I was chatting with a friend who said, "is milk is a pure substance?" and now I'm wondering if it's true? I mean, on one hand, it's just liquid, right? But it also has fat, sugar, and proteins. I always thought of pure substances as things that are just... well, simple, like water or salt. The other day, I had some milk that was really creamy—full-fat, I guess?—and then I scanned another carton that was labeled nonfat, but didn’t know if that changed how "pure" it is. Can different types of milk like almond milk or oat milk also be considered pure? Or is that a whole different ballpark? I just don’t get why it would matter, but my friend seemed pretty adamant. If "is milk is a pure substance," what does that even mean, especially when we think of things like lactose intolerance? Am I overthinking this? It just feels like there should be a clear answer, but it seems totally confusing to me. Hope some of you can help clear this up!

FREE
Question is closed
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously
Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential.
No sign-up needed.
CTA image asteriksCTA image

Doctors' responses

Milk is not considered a pure substance because it is a mixture of various components such as water, fats, proteins, lactose (a type of sugar), vitamins, and minerals. A pure substance is defined as a material that has a constant composition and distinct chemical properties, like distilled water or table salt (sodium chloride). Because milk comprises multiple ingredients and its composition can vary, it does not fit this definition. For example, the differing fat content between full-fat and nonfat milk provides an illustration of how the composition influences the characteristics of the milk. In full-fat milk, there’s a higher concentration of fat, which contributes to the creamy texture, while nonfat milk has most of the milkfat removed, yet both still contain proteins and lactose. Now, when you talk about plant-based alternatives like almond milk or oat milk, the same principle applies; they too are mixtures of various ingredients rather than pure substances. Each type of milk alternative typically consists of water, the plant base (such as oats or almonds), and additional ingredients for consistency and flavor. Thus, these are also not pure substances. Considering lactose intolerance, it pertains to the body’s ability to digest lactose, a major sugar in milk, rather than to the purity of the milk itself. Whether or not milk or its alternatives are pure isn’t vital from a health perspective, but understanding the components can aid in dietary decisions based on preferences or tolerances. Recognizing that milk is a complex mixture offers insight into its nutritional make-up and how different variations suit particular needs or diets, including managing lactose intolerance through lactose-free options.

16247 answered questions
87% best answers
Accepted response

0 replies
FREE! Ask a Doctor — 24/7,
100% Anonymously

Get expert answers anytime, completely confidential. No sign-up needed.

About our doctors

Only qualified doctors who have confirmed the availability of medical education and other certificates of medical practice consult on our service. You can check the qualification confirmation in the doctor's profile.


Related questions