Dermatologist bans milk, sparking plant-based debate in Spain

Dermatologist bans milk, sparking plant-based debate in Spain

Is it worth switching from cow's milk to a plant-based drink when a dermatologist says the former worsens skin issues? This seemingly simple question triggers a discussion far beyond the supermarket shelf. A patient reports being ordered to stop drinking cow's milk and switch to plant-based options, asking for recommendations among soy, oat, and others. Some argue that cow's milk causes no dermatological problems and removing it is an act of faith. Meanwhile, the industry response is a full aisle of cartons made of water, soy, and sugar.

Which plant milks exist and which has less sugar

The range is wide: soy, oat, almond, coconut, hemp. Soy milk is the most protein-rich and controversial. One message reproduces the label of a specific brand—Vivesoy by Pascual—and lists water, soy seeds (13%), fructose, tricalcium phosphate, stabilizers (cellulose and carboxymethylcellulose), flavoring, salt, antioxidant, and vitamins A and D. The verdict is harsh: "Bad." Another participant argues that oat milk is cheaper and less fatty, having been found at €0.80 per liter. Almond milk has nostalgic defenders: Almendrina, a concentrated sweetened paste dissolved to taste, was the classic substitute for those with lactose intolerance. Hemp milk appears as a niche option. And cockroach milk, mentioned ironically, closes the list.

The dermatologist, leaky gut, and soy that 'doesn't help'

Medical advice is the trigger. One message cites dermatologist Lorea Bagazgoitia, stating that no skin diseases are caused or influenced by lactose, so those with skin issues shouldn't avoid milk for this reason. Another points to a different hypothesis: leaky gut syndrome, associated with acne, eczema, or rosacea, which might justify removing dairy without lactose being the culprit. Soy carries the phytoestrogen legend. A participant debunks it with chemistry: isoflavones compete with estrogen receptors and have anti-estrogenic effects, not feminizing ones. "Chinese and Japanese people have eaten it for millennia, and there aren't many LGBTQ+ individuals in their lands," they conclude. The phrase fails scrutiny, but the core idea—that soy doesn't transform anyone—is the user's opinion.

Ultra-processed foods, sugar, and the three-euro carton scam

The most repeated accusation against plant drinks is that they are ultra-processed. "They have too much sugar and offer nothing," one message states, recommending sheep or goat milk instead. Another goes further: "Plant milks are an expensive scam loaded with tons of sugar, cellulose, and chemical junk like added vitamins." Practical advice repeats: buy pure versions without additives from herbal stores or specific supermarket brands. Conversely, defense of cow's milk as a "superfood" appears in several messages, set in Cantabria with milking machines as evidence. The counterattack comes from historical consumption: milk, eggs, and meat were luxury goods before industrial production, and one glass per person daily was the maximum yield of a family cow.

Rosacea, isotretinoin, and ignored advice

The original skin problem isn't specified, but papulopustular rosacea appears in the conversation. One participant shares their case: after trying Proderma, Rozex, and Soolantra, they were prescribed isotretinoin, completed treatment, and have been pimple-free for years. Another details that Soolantra is prescribed for aggressive rosacea with pustules or inflammation, does not treat rosacea itself, sometimes requires combined treatments, and involves a long process with dryness and erosions as side effects. The implicit conclusion is that skin issues aren't solved by changing breakfast milk, but through proper diagnosis and treatment. And the dermatologist who removes milk without explanation falls short.

The plant milk business grows because some don't tolerate cow's milk, some believe they don't, and some simply want to pay three euros for oat-flavored water. Meanwhile, the dermatologist still offers no explanations. And the carton, with its cellulose and flavoring, remains on the shelf.