Contre-vérités et désinformations sur les aliments : l’exemple des produits laitiers

jmlbourre@netcourrier.com

Résumé

Deux séries d’arguments, utilisés par les détracteurs du lait et des produits laitiers, sont présentés puis contrecarrés. L’une relève de l’exploitation abusive ou erronée de données médicales et scientifiques, statistiques, épidémiologiques; elle traite des cancers, du syndrome métabolique (sous ses volets hypertension, diabète et obésité), de l’ostéoporose, de la confusion entre allergie et intolérance, de la nature des acides gras des lipides. L’autre recèle quelques arguments (parmi de nombreux) qui n’ont aucun support scientifique, que l’on peut qualifier de fantaisistes, mais bénéficient malheureusement d’une certaine influence auprès des consommateurs. Cette présentation ne traite aucunement de l’histoire, la géographie, l’économie, la philosophie, du dogmatique, des relations avec les discours anti-spécistes et végétaliens, ni des débats afférant à l’environnement. Elle ne concerne exclusivement que les données alimentaires et nutritionnelles, sur les plans scientifiques et médicaux.

Abstract

Milk is definitely one of the foodstuffs giving rise to the most discussion and controversy. Everything and its contrary is said and written about it. As it is a foodstuff of great nutritional and symbolic value, this probably did not happen just by chance, especially as it has been used for centuries. Other foods, like grains, have also been criticized. Although their place in food diversity and their involvement in nutritional balance are well documented, milk and dairy products (milk, yoghurt and cheese) continue to be the subject of aggressive attacks, based mainly on erroneous or unjust interpretations of serious studies, on mistakes, falsehoods, lies, or just plain confabulation. Giving them any credit can generate a real public health problem ! Especially since replacing milk by pseudo-milks, which generally are vegetable juices, is a serious threat to health, particularly for children. This was recently deplored by the Nutrition Committee of the French Pediatric Society (Vidailhet, 2008), as well as by the Academies of Medicine and Agriculture (Salle, 2008). A brief reminder was published in the first issue of the new format of this review, on he relations between dairy products consumption and reduction in the risk of osteoporosis (Bonjour, 2010). A strong warning signal must be given and the truth reestablished on the basis of all scientific and medical data.

This presentation in no way addresses history, geography, economy, philosophy, dogmatism, relations with anti-speciesism and vegan discourse, nor discussions on the environment. It refers exclusively an only to dietary and nutritional data, at scientific and medical levels. Two series of arguments, used by detractors, are presented and then countered. One refers to the abusive or erroneous use of medical and scientific, statistical, epidemiological data; it concerns cancers, metabolic syndrome (under the hypertension, diabetes and obesity angles), osteoporosis, confusion between allergy and intolerance, nature of lipid fatty acids. The other covers a few arguments (among many) void of any scientific background that could be qualified as "eccentric", but which unfortunately influence consumers to a certain extent.