Learn the Least-Known Facts about Health Benefits of Milk & its Nutrition
Milk constitutes to be one of the most nutritious health drinks among all. Milk is formed in the udders of cows, buffaloes, goats, and camels to feed their newborns. Milk is a very diverse product and can be used in the manufacture of cheese, butter, ghee, yogurt, cream, etc. There are many benefits of milk for people of all age groups.
Topics Covered In The Article:
The Relationship Between Milk And Healthy Bones
Why Kids Need Milk More Than Anything Else?
Types Of Milk-Cow, Buffalo, And Goat Milk
Breast Milk as The Best Milk For Infants
Nutritional Profile Of Milk:
The composition of milk is very complex as it is composed of all the vital nutrients, Vitamins and proteins needed by the body. The innumerable vitamins in milk make it one of the healthiest drinks.
The calories in milk make it a very healthy drink for infants, toddlers, and children. The composition of milk is such that it has all the important nutrients needed by the body on a daily basis in one product.
The following table will give a detailed picture of the milk nutrition:
| Calories | 61 |
| Water | 88 % |
| Proteins | 3.2 gm |
| Carbohydrates | 4.8 gm |
| Fats | 3.3 gm |
| Proteins | 244 gm |
Milk is composed of Vitamin D, Vitamin A, Vitamin B12, Calcium, Phosphorous, etc. The main proteins in milk can be classified into two types namely Whey proteins and Casein. The insoluble milk proteins are Casein and the soluble proteins are the whey proteins. The nutritional value of milk shows they are composed of the rich essential acids needed in the body for easy digestion.
The benefits of milk are mainly due to the rich content of proteins. It has the capability to increase the absorption of other vital minerals and nutrients in the body. The milk proteins are also found to help in lowering the pressure of blood, improving the mood, relieving stress, etc.
The fat content of milk shows that there are more than 400 different fatty acids in it. Trans-fats are found in minimal quantities. Milk is very high in the content of Vitamin B12. Milk and dairy products are considered to be one of the best sources of Riboflavin. The health benefits of milk are mainly due to the rich composition of milk.
Is Milk Healthy?
- Many people ask the question is milk healthy, then the simple answer is yes it is healthy!
- Milk is essential for the healthy maintenance of the bones in the body.
- Milk facilitates the growth and development of the muscles and tissues in the body.
- The regular consumption of milk is healthy but people who are lactose intolerant must avoid it.
- There are various benefits of drinking milk owing to the rich nutritional value.
- Milk is supposed to be one of the healthiest drinks amongst all.
- It is the best drink for infants, toddlers, children, adolescents, and elderly people.
- The regular consumption of dairy products is linked with a reduced risk to cardiovascular issues.
- The milk nutrition facts show that they are composed of all the vital nutrients that the body needs on a daily basis.
- Milk is composed of lactose, which is involved in the breakdown into glucose and galactose.
- The products will get absorbed directly into the blood, thereby getting utilized by the liver and other vital organs.
- Milk contains a wide plethora of hormones which promote healthy growth and development in the body. Hence, milk is considered to be very healthy.
- There are innumerable benefits of milk consumption over any other natural product.
Relationship Between Healthy Bones And Milk:
Amongst the various advantages of milk, the formation of healthy bones is the main benefit. Osteoporosis is the condition where there is a decrease in the density of the bone. In elderly people, a bone fracture is a common problem due to Osteoporosis.
One of the best benefits of milk is the promotion of healthy bone growth and development. Those people who consume milk on a regular basis will have higher bone density. The high content of Calcium and protein is responsible for reducing the risk of Osteoporosis.
Why Kids Need Milk More Than Anything Else?
Children require about two and a half cups of milk on a daily basis. There are numerous uses of milk for health. It will help in meeting the daily recommended dose of Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Calcium. Since buffalo milk is rich in all the three, it must be preferred. However, children who suffer from obesity must drink cow’s milk.
Buffalo milk acts as a natural modulator of the immune system. It modulates the cells of the immune system which in turn will augment the capability of the immune system in preventing various diseases. There are many benefits of milk, irrespective of the type of milk you consume.
Lactose Intolerance:
The milk nutrition facts show that milk is composed of vital nutrients, vitamins, minerals, etc. Lactose is the sugar found in milk, which is the main carbohydrate utilized in digestion. During the process of digestion, lactose is broken down into smaller subunits of Glucose and Galactose. The enzyme Lactase is required for the breakdown of lactose. However, in some people, the body is incapable of digesting Lactose. It is called Lactose Intolerance.
People who are Lactose Intolerant can’t digest milk and milk products. There are various benefits of drinking milk but people who suffer from Lactose Intolerance must strictly avoid dairy products.
Types Of Milk-Cow, Buffalo, And Goat Milk:
There are various types of milk such as Buffalo milk, Cow milk, Goat Milk, Sheep Milk, Camel Milk, etc. The milk nutrition is more or less the same in all the varieties of milk and differs only in the composition.
Both cow and buffalo milk are closely related to each other. Cow milk has about 3.9 % of fat while buffalo milk has 8% of fat. Hence, people who are opting for low-fat milk must not opt for buffalo milk. Cow milk is the best milk for such people as the calories in milk will be lesser.
Buffalo milk is the best milk for the preparation of Ghee as it has about 97 calories in 100 grams of milk. It is heavier than cow’s milk and must be consumed in lower quantities. It is good for women and elderly people as it is rich in Vitamin D and calcium. People who suffer from Diabetes must opt for buffalo milk over cow’s to obtain the best health benefits of milk.
Goat milk is lighter than both buffalo and cow milk. It is easy to digest and hence, widely preferred by most people. Being low in the lactose content, people who suffer from Lactose Intolerance can consume it conveniently. The vitamins in milk make it very healthy, but goat milk is slightly expensive than cow and buffalo milk.
Breast Milk as The Best Milk For Infants:
There are a wide plethora of benefits of milk. Breast milk is the best milk for infants and toddlers. The natural composition of the milk makes it very healthy. It is rich in antibodies and will help the baby in fighting against various illnesses, infections, etc.
One of the most crucial features of breastfed babies is that they are less constipated. Breastfed babies are found to be far more intelligent with a greater cognitive functioning. The nutritional value of milk makes it the best food for babies.
It has been found that children who have breast milk will be much healthier. The various advantages of milk consumption are that they are at a reduced risk of becoming overweight, developing asthma, Lymphoma, Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes, Leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, etc.
Formula Feed:
Many people chose formula feeding as one of the healthiest choices for infants. The convenience of feeding the baby at any time, the flexibility of any person feeding the baby with the bottle, etc. contribute to it widespread preference. Irrespective of the brand, the benefits of milk will remain more or less the same.
For those people who work or leave the baby with a babysitter, formula feeding is the best alternative. The market is flooded with products which claim to be as healthy as breast milk. Breast milk is a natural product and easy to digest. However, it will take time for formula feed to get digested by the baby. If you wonder is milk healthy, then the answer to the simple question is yes it is extremely healthy!
Milk Benefits For Skin:
Milk is considered to be a powerhouse of vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. The milk benefits for skin are innumerable. It helps in keeping the skin clean by cleansing the pores and removing the particles of dust and pollution.
Milk for face is widely used by people in various cosmetics, face creams and lotions, face packs and face masks, face washes, etc.
There are innumerable milk benefits for skin, which can be enlisted as follows:
- Soothes skin irritation
- Treats acne
- Reduces red spots
- Heals wounds
- Gives relief from allergic reactions
- Removes dirt and grim
- Moisturizes dry skin
- Helps in healing sunburns and tans
- Acts as a base for many face packs and face masks
Milk Benefits For Hair:
There are various benefits of milk for hair. Milk has been used from ancient times to keep the hair clean and healthy. The rich content of proteins, calcium, vitamins, etc. make it a very healthy option for strengthening the hair.
The raw milk benefits for hair are innumerable. Milk can be used in straightening the hair by adding honey and fresh fruits such as strawberries, bananas, etc. Raw milk is very soothing and helps in hydrating the skin.
Apart from the raw milk benefits for hair, a dairy product such as yogurt acts as an excellent probiotic. It helps in fighting off the harmful bacteria that can lead to skin problems such as dry scalp, scalp infections, etc.
There are innumerable uses of milk for hair, skin, face, bones, and the overall health of the individual. Apart from making the skin healthy and glowing, you must incorporate dairy products into the daily diet plan to make the bones stronger, increase the muscle mass, etc.
The benefits of milk have been known to mankind since time immemorial. So incorporate more of dairy products in the daily diet plan and make use of milk for your health!
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