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The health benefits of milk include improved bone strength, smoother skin, and a stronger immune system. It aids in the prevention of illnesses such as hypertension, dental decay, dehydration, respiratory problems, obesity, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer. The beneficial health nutrients obtained from milk are essential for the human body and help to prevent a number of chronic ailments.

What is Milk?

Milk, quite simply, is a liquid that mammals create in mammary glands in order to feed their young ones. The reason mammals have this is because this is what their babies are naturally supposed to consume until they are strong or old enough to hunt for food themselves or eat what their parents typically eat. Humans also have this ability, which is why we have begun to explore the interesting world of milk from other animals, in the hopes that milk could continue to nourish us throughout our lives, rather than simply at the beginning of it.

Many animals can provide us with this vital health substance, but cow’s milk is considered the best wholesome supplement for children as well as for adults. It is also the most accessible, while the milk of other animals like buffalo, goats, sheep, camels, reindeer, and yak is much more difficult to acquire.

Milk from horses and donkeys can also be consumed by humans, but that is even less common, and much less pleasant to extract.

The health benefits of milk can be achieved from drinking it directly or by consuming dairy products such as cheese, butter, curd, clarified butter or ghee, dairy whitener, ice cream, cottage cheese or paneer, flavored milk or milk sweets. Put it this way, around the world, there are more than 6 billion people who regularly consume some type of food that is based on milk from an animal; it is one of the essential elements of the human diet since these animals that create milk are on almost every continent and country. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has clearly mentioned in its Dietary Guidelines to include milk and its products to ensure a healthy, balanced diet.

Nutritional Value of Milk

The nutritional value of milk is so well known that people all around the world include it as a staple part of their diet. Adding it to your daily diet can also help you to achieve a well-balanced diet. As per the USDA National Nutrition Database, milk is an ideal source of nutrients such as vitamin A, B12, D calcium, carbohydrates, phosphorous, selenium, magnesium, protein, zinc, and riboflavin. The Teagasc Dairy Products Research Center at Moorepark, Fermoy has reported recent research on using milk to neutralize the cholesterol content of the body. Most of the caloric content in it comes from the natural sugars found in it. These are essential to the overall functioning and health of the body, and they reduce the chances of a number of deficiencies, and boost health in a variety of ways! Let’s explore more about the important impact of milk and its products on our health!

Milk Deficiency

Milk deficiency can cause severe anemia, osteoporosis, and other related illnesses. Its consumption is essential for maintaining good health and having the energy and strength to do normal activities.

It is the best source of calcium for all age groups, and since calcium is considered the most important mineral for healthy growth, functioning, repair, and durability of the bones and skeletal system. It will always have a significant role in people’s diets, as a way of preventing calcium deficiency or osteoporosis.

Health Benefits of Milk

It is an extremely beneficial drink for the health of the human body. Some of the advantages of drinking this life-giving nectar are as follows:

Supplies Calcium

According to Institute of Medicine (US) Committee to Review Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin D and Calcium, in the United States, an estimated 72 percent of calcium comes from milk, cheese, and yogurt, as well as from foods to which dairy products have been added, such as pizza, lasagna, dairy desserts. Apart from this, about 7 percent calcium comes from vegetables, 5 percent from grains, 4 percent from legumes; 3 percent from fruits; an additional 3 percent from meat, poultry, and fish; 2 percent from eggs, and 3 percent from miscellaneous foods.

However, milk is the best source of calcium that we can supply to our body. Calcium protects the body from major chronic ailments such as bone loss, arthritic conditions, migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndrome, and obesity in children. It also functions as a health aid in losing unwanted fats and reducing weight. Calcium is an essential mineral in the creation of bone matter, and bone mineral density measurements rely highly on calcium as the main support structure of our body. It is the quickest, least expensive, and most readily available source of calcium on the market.

Improves Heart Health

Although most of the focus of calcium is on bones, it has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular diseases and the chances of strokes. Two long-term studies in Japan have positively shown a correlation between daily calcium intake and a reduction in stroke, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular diseases. The peptides found in it are also believed to inhibit the creation of ACEs, (angiotensin-converting enzymes), which increase blood pressure. Therefore, grab some milk for a healthier heart! Furthermore, the magnesium and potassium content in it act as vasodilators, which reduces blood pressure, increases blood flow to vital organs, and reduces the stress on the heart and cardiovascular system.

As per the Dietary Guidelines dated 2010, the amount of potassium an average individual must consume should be 4,700 mg/day, except for those who have a condition of hyperkalemia owing to renal disorders or those who are under some sort of medication. An average American’s dietary intake of potassium is estimated to be 1,755 mg/day. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition highlighted the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that only 2 percent of US adults met with the average daily consumption target of potassium.

Healthy Bones

As mentioned above, milk is rich in calcium, which is essential for growth and the proper development of a strong bone structure. Bone disorders such as osteoporosis can be prevented with a significant daily intake of milk. Children deprived of cow’s milk have an increased chance of suffering from bone fractures when injured, and their healing time will be significantly higher if they don’t have a steady stream of calcium to aid in the regrowth of bone matter.

Dental Care

Encouraging children and youngsters to drink milk will give them excellent dental health, as it protects the enamel surface against acidic substances. Drinking it for energy and health would also lessen the frequency of children consuming soft drinks, thus reducing the risk of decaying teeth and weak gums.

Rehydration

Fluids are an integral part of the human body, and the body needs to be frequently replenished with liquids as they are used up within the body.

Water is essential for growing children and they must drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid every day. It contains a good quantity of water molecules and is considered the best fluid for rehydration, outside of drinking actual water. Water makes up more than 80% of our body mass, and the balance of fluids in our body is essential for every single process in our body. That is why, dehydration is such a major and dangerous problem, as it threatens all of our metabolic functions. So, if you can’t find any water, grab a glass of milk!

Skin Care

Have you heard of Cleopatra, the Queen of the Nile? She was considered to be one of the most beautiful women of all time. Well, it shouldn’t surprise you that she had a tradition of taking a milk bath every single day!

She used to mix honey and milk in the bath, which enabled her to maintain soft and beautiful skin. For thousands of years, it has been known to benefit our skin by helping us maintain a fair and smooth complexion. Therefore, milk and its products are used in a number of cosmetic preparations to this day!

It is also good for treating dry skin, so if you have dry skin, apply milk on your face and other affected areas, leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off.

The milk solids nourish and smooth your skin. The lactic acid present in milk is known to aid in removing dead skin cells, thereby rejuvenating your skin and keeping it fresh. Finally, simply drinking it, due to its impressive content of vitamin A, helps to improve skin, particularly since the antioxidant potential of it helps to eliminate free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that are partially responsible for premature aging of the skin, resulting in wrinkles and age spots.

Improving Diet & Vitamin Intake

According to medical research, drinking milk considerably improves our intake of vital minerals and vitamins.

A person who consumes a carton of whole milk doubles his chances of fulfilling his calcium requirement for the day, whereas another person consuming a can of carbonated soda may actually lower his calcium levels by 1/3. Calcium, along with all of the other essential minerals listed above, are necessary for the daily diet in order to ensure proper functioning of every aspect of our body.

Acidity Reduction

A report published in the Annals of Internal medicine states that consumption of milk products can also help in reducing acidity throughout the body. Drinking cold milk provides relief from acidity.

Wholesome Food

It contains many vitamins and minerals to keep you fit, healthy and strong. A full glass of milk contains vitamins A and B for good eyesight and increasing red blood cell count, carbohydrates for vitality and energy, potassium for proper nerve function, magnesium for muscular function, phosphorous for energy release, and proteins for body repair and growth.

Anticancer Potential

In a 2011 report published by Dr. Lampe JW, Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington, in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, intake of milk may also provide some relief to those suffering from cancer. This study suggests that a diet rich in dairy products may slightly extend the lives of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Word of Caution: Some people may have lactose intolerance and may have trouble digesting milk because of the lactose found in it. The symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, stomach pain, gas, and diarrhea. For kids, it is advisable to consult your health care provider since this is not so common among children. For adults, lactose-free milk and its products are readily available on the market. You can also drink varieties of soy or almond milk to avoid lactose, yet still, receive many of the same benefits.

Some people choose not to consume dairy products such as milk. These people may:

• • choose to follow a specific diet, such as vegan or paleo
• • hope to reduce acne or other conditions
• • have an allergy or sensitivity to lactose (the milk sugar) or casein (the milk protein)
• • have concerns about methods of dairy farming and their impact on the environment
• • have concerns about the possibility that milk contains hormones, such as estrogen

Some argue that humans are the only species who continue to drink milk after being weaned, implying that milk consumption is unnatural and unnecessary.

Hormones in milk

Some people worry that the hormones in dairy milk, including estrogen and growth hormones, can adversely affect them.

In a 2016 study, researchers found that mice who consumed high concentrations of estrogen in milk underwent hormonal changes. However, they note that the levels of estrogen were far higher than those that usually occur in cow’s milk.

Scientists have not yet found evidence to suggest that the hormones in dairy milk can affect humans negatively.

Cancer

Some evidence suggests that a high intake of milk may increase the risk of ovarian cancer. The reasons for this remain unclear, however.

Allergies, intolerances, and sensitivities

Many people consume milk without experiencing any adverse effects. However, others may have an adverse reaction.

A milk allergy

A milk allergy is different from lactose intolerance. If a person with a milk allergy drinks milk, they will have an abnormal immunologic reaction, in which the body’s immune system produces allergic antibodies such as immunoglobulin E.

For these people, drinking milk can lead to:

• • vomiting
• • diarrhea
• • hives
• • blood in the stool

A severe allergic reaction can trigger sudden anaphylactic shock, which can be fatal. If a person starts to experience swelling or difficulty breathing after coming into contact with or consuming milk, they need urgent medical attention.

Those with a milk allergy should avoid milk and dairy products, including butter, whey, yogurt, and cheese.

Lactose intolerance

Some people do not produce enough of an enzyme called lactase, and this can make it hard for them to digest milk. Lactase breaks down lactose, which is a sugar in milk. Sometimes, this can be a temporary problem — for example, due to an infection.

For those with lactose intolerance, consuming milk can cause bloating, flatulence, or diarrhea.

However, levels of lactose intolerance vary from person to person. Some may be able to tolerate products with low levels of lactose, such as yogurt and hard cheeses, while others may be unable to tolerate even a drop of milk in their coffee.

Lactose free milk has added enzymes to help with lactose digestion. This may ease or eliminate these symptoms.

Casein sensitivity

Casein is a protein in milk. For people with a casein sensitivity, consuming milk can trigger inflammation in the digestive system and throughout the body.

Anyone who suspects that dairy products could be causing symptoms can talk to a dietitian. Trying an elimination diet or undergoing food sensitivity testing may help determine whether or not a dairy free diet is appropriate. *