Cows are wonderful creatures. I think we as a society really take our bovine friends for granted. Where would humanity be if it weren’t for cows
Cows have contributed so much to the human race, while we seemingly and unknowingly sideline them from our gratitude lists. In a sense, we have forgotten about one of the largest contributors to our human society. We have forgotten about the humble cow.
I know it sounds like I’m being very dramatic, and perhaps I am, but take a second to think about it. I think there are a few good reasons why we can and should be thankful for cows.
Foster Mothers of the Human Race
In the words of one of the most famous dairy journalists, the cow is the foster mother of the human race.
“The cow is the foster mother of the human race. From the time of the ancient Hindoo to this time have the thoughts of men turned to this kindly and beneficent creature as one of the chief sustaining forces of the human race” – W.D. Hoard (source)
Humanity and cows have been together since the dawn of time. Milk and dairy products are not chiefly a Western (i.e. European) invention, but in fact dairying has been around for thousands of years and can be found in all cultures and civilizations. Dairy farming pre-existed agriculture, and our bovine friends co-existed with our prehistoric ancestors as a source of nourishment and nutrition as far back as we know.
The Vedic tradition is centered on worship of Krishna, the “cowherd boy,” and the cow as “Mother.” India’s ancient Vedic culture has existed on cow’s milk for tens of thousands of years. (Source)
In fact, traces of dairy farming can be found in many different cultures and civilizations. Advances in technology now allow us to find residues of milk in ancient pottery shards. According to some researchers, dairy farming started in East Asia then spread west. Evidence of our reliance on cows as a source of nutrition can be found in ancient civilizations like Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Sumerian, and Vedic and also in places like Scandinavia and Africa. Early peoples were very dependent on cows, and relied on them heavily for a source of nourishment.
In a sense, cows fostered the development of the human race. They have been our real foster mothers for generations, since the dawn of time. We as the human race are really indebted to the cow and its contribution in feeding and nourishing us.
**A Image of a stone carving at an ancient Sumerian temple showing typical dairy activities (source)**
**Ancient Egyptian stone carving of a cow being milked (source)**
Nutrition Bio-converters
Another reason to be thankful for cows is because they are basically living, breathing bio-converting engines of human fuel. Cows convert grass which is a low quality food source, and transform them into fats and protein (higher value nutrients). Perhaps this is why ancient cultures valued cows so much, because they are able to convert these low quality inputs into higher value foods.
Stay with me on this one, I’m about to get really technical on this one.
Our world is full of grass, and other vegetation, but unfortunately humans aren’t designed to efficiently digest grass and other vegetation at all. In fact, our bodies cannot convert plant fiber into the type of proteins our bodies need. Without the production of key essential amino acids, we as humans cannot exist on a grass diet grass.
Cows can take this grass which we can’t digest; very few creatures can digest, and turn it into fuel. What is so amazing about that?
Cow’s digestive systems are really amazing though. They can break down grass into a usable form of nutrition. They breakdown the insoluble fibers our bodies cannot digest, and convert them into a “complete” protein with all the essential amino acids our bodies need. By means of their rumen (a bio-habitat of beneficial bacteria), Cows convert the primary components of fiber – cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin into usable proteins and amino acids. (source) (source) (source)
Without the bio-converting power of cows, grasslands and plains would be little more than scenic views. This transformative power that cows have converting indigestible plant fibers into a usable form of fuel for humans is something to truly be thankful for.
Providers of high quality Nutrition
Besides being bio-converters of usable nutrients for people, cows also deliver these nutrients in a highly absorbable form. The nutrition cows produce is unparalleled to other foods. Milk and dairy products offer us a complete package of nutrition. In fact, milk is one of the only foods few foods that offers a complete form of nutrition.
Seemingly milk in today’s culture is looked at as being old fashioned, or even unhealthy, but it wasn’t long ago that people for generations before recognized milk for what it really was – A healthy, healing food. Milk was known to cure many ailments that still plague people today.
“Milk was known as a healing food that cured people of many common diseases. Milk was known to cure… Rheumatoid arthritis, edema, ulcers, indigestion, low thyroid function, congestive heart failure, asthma, hay fever, appendicitis, gallstones, infertility, narcotic habits, anemia, insomnia, migraines, acid stomach, eczema, tuberculosis (in its early stages)”
If that isn’t convincing enough, there are groups of people, like the Massai in Africa, that have existed for thousands of years with milk as one of the primary and main components of their diet. Believe it or not, these people are among the healthiest people in the world. (source)
We as a society are only beginning to recognize the nutritive power of milk. Milk is the original superfood. Here are a few of the recognized facts that make milk a standout when it comes to nutrition:
A nutrient dense food
Promotes weight loss and a healthy metabolism (source)
Great source of protein with all essential amino acids (source)
Highly absorbable form of vitamins than supplements as fat helps with nutrient absorption (source)
Great source of good saturated fats that cause many positive health effects (source)
Great source of calcium, potassium, and vitamin D (source)
And these are only to name a few. There are of course many more health benefits to including dairy and milk in your diet. Even with all the advancements our technological society has developed, we still are learning new things about the nutritive power of dairy. All of the components in milk seemingly work together to give us a highly absorbable, high quality form of nutrition.
Thankful for Cows
Whether it is fostering the growth and development of the human race, converting grass into a food source for people, or packaging nutrients into a highly available form with an array of health benefits, Cows contribute so much to society, yet are rarely recognized. They get no medals, or Nobel prizes for their contributions. They just do what they do best and they do it every day, 24 hours, 7 days a week.
While it probably is dramatic of me to devote an entire post to why we should be thankful for cows, I hope that it’s at least stimulated some thoughts as to why cows deserve some gratitude this year. Let’s not forget the beneficial symbiotic relationship we share with these wonderful creatures – cows.
