Every person remembers the taste of milk from childhood. However, there is a lot of controversy regarding its benefits to the human body. Some scientists argue that it is completely useless for humans and even harmful, arguing that not a single creature on the planet consumes milk after weaning from the mother’s breast. Others argue that the drink, on the contrary, is of great benefit, as it is a source of nutrients, in particular calcium.
Whatever researchers say, milk is still one of the traditional drinks and often appears on our table along with other fermented milk products.
| Calories per 100 g, (kcal): | 64 |
| Protein in 100 g, (g): | 3.2 |
| Fats in 100 g, (g): | 3.6 |
| Carbohydrates in 100 g, (g): | 4.8 |
| Glycemic index: | 32 |
The composition and calorie content of milk
Milk has an average fat content of 2.8% to 5%. It contains a lot of water, about 90%, there are proteins – 3.3% and lactose or carbohydrates, which – 4.6%. In addition, it is a source of minerals, vitamins and other beneficial substances. The calorie content of the drink varies from 60 to 65 kcal.
Benefits of milk, vitamins and minerals
It is believed that the main benefit of milk for humans comes from calcium, which is very abundant in milk and is absorbed by the body by almost 100%, but subject to the simultaneous intake of vitamin D. No other product in the world has this quality.
In addition, milk is useful in the following cases:
- as a means of lowering the acidity of the stomach;
- thanks to the amino acids involved in the production of serotonin, the drink relieves a person of insomnia, calms the nervous system;
- the drink cleanses the body due to the presence of a special substance – glutathione, therefore it is issued in hazardous industries in our country;
- strengthens the immune system;
- thanks to vitamin B1, milk improves eyesight;
- relieves the symptoms of hypertension;
- strengthens the heart muscle.
Naturally, we are talking about high-quality milk.
The benefits of milk for women
For girls and women, milk helps to cope with headaches. Instead of a tablet, it is better to drink a glass of milk. It is useful during the preparation for childbirth and is used for cosmetic purposes.
The benefits of milk for men
For the strong half of humanity, milk is recommended for consumption if necessary to build muscle mass. It has a high content of proteins and carbohydrates. After a hard day at work, after physical exertion, it is a glass of milk that will help to quickly restore strength.
Lactose, present in the drink, reduces the risk of gastritis and improves the functioning of the stomach. Baked milk is recommended for people over 40 years of age, when there is a risk of stroke or heart attack. Sour drink helps to get rid of excess weight.
Milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Milk is suitable for the diet of the expectant mother. It helps to strengthen the bones and is involved in the formation of the baby’s skeleton. Helps to properly develop the nervous system and muscles of the unborn child. However, the benefits will only be subject to certain rules. It should be a drink of good quality, it is drunk in small sips, it is possible with the addition of a small amount of honey. In the third trimester, it is recommended to reduce the amount of milk consumed. The drink can unnecessarily strengthen the skull of the fetus, which will complicate its passage during childbirth.
If the mother does not suffer from increased gas formation, then while feeding the baby, cow’s milk can be introduced into the mother’s diet. However, it is necessary to monitor the reaction of the child to this drink. Only about 3% of babies do not tolerate the milk that the mother consumed.
Is it possible for children to have milk
To date, pediatricians are sure that up to 3 years it is strictly forbidden to give cow’s milk to children, even if they do not have their own. It is better to give preference to adapted mixtures. Until this age, the child’s body is not yet ready to digest the proteins present in cow’s milk, to accept phosphorus and calcium.
Is milk good for weight loss?
Indeed, milk helps to get rid of extra pounds. It is calcium that stimulates the elimination of body fat. In addition to this, the drink quickly eliminates the feeling of hunger. Even a mono-diet based on cow’s milk has been developed. It involves drinking only one milk for 7 days. But such a diet with complete restrictions can only be sustained by the body of a healthy person. There are many other milk diets that are more gentle. For example, milk-banana, in which during the day you can consume 1 liter of drink and 4 bananas. The duration of such a diet cannot exceed 7 days.
milk for diabetes
With diabetes, it is allowed to drink one glass of milk a day. It will help saturate the body with calcium and improve the functioning of the stomach.
How to take milk for medicinal purposes
To get the most benefit from milk, it is best to drink it warm, almost hot. But at the same time, it is better to refuse boiled, since there are practically no useful substances left in it.
Children are recommended to give no more than half a liter per day, adults can increase this dose by 2 times. An interesting fact is that medicinal herbs will bring much more benefit if they are brewed not in water, but in milk.
It is best to combine the use of a drink with vitamin D. It allows calcium to be better absorbed.
If we are talking about fresh milk, then it can be consumed after milking for 3 hours. After that, bacteria begin to multiply intensively in it, which are harmful to the human body.
Milk for pancreatitis
In the presence of a diagnosis of “pancreatitis”, milk should not be introduced into the diet. It can be used to prepare cereals and other dairy dishes. If you really want to, then in its pure form you can drink no more than 150 g per day, and then it is better to be fat-free and not every day.
In the presence of this disease, raw milk is contraindicated; only pasteurized milk can be used.
Milk for gastritis
In the presence of gastritis, however, as with an ulcer, milk is allowed to be included in the diet. With increased acidity, you can use a low-fat drink or with a fat content of up to 2.5%. Milk contributes to the formation of a film on the mucous membrane, which protects it from the negative effects of stomach acid and food.
With low acidity, it is better to refuse this drink, in extreme cases, it can be added to drinks, for example, to tea or to cook dishes based on it.
Milk for cough
Quite often, cow’s milk is used for colds and coughs. Indeed, it will help get rid of dry cough. When warm, the drink has a vasodilating effect, stimulates blood flow, and this relieves pain. But it will help relieve symptoms only in the first stages of the disease. The benefit of the drink is that it can be combined with any drugs and has a beneficial effect on the intestinal microflora.
In this case, it is best to warm the milk, but do not boil it before drinking.
Milk for heartburn
To quickly relieve the symptoms of heartburn, it is recommended to drink a glass of milk. It will cleanse the walls of the stomach from gastric juice, as a result of which the manifestations of heartburn will decrease.
How to boil milk
In no case should milk be boiled for a long time, although this is quite problematic, as it “runs away”. Moreover, such a drink no longer benefits the body. If we are talking about preparing a drink for the baby, then it is better to bring the milk to a boil and boil for another 2 minutes over low heat.
The process itself looks like this:
- choose a container, it is desirable that it has high edges, it can be steel or aluminum containers;
- inside the pan is treated with cold water and greased with butter;
- pour milk, it is better that it is cold and natural, does not reach the edges of the pan;
- Boil the liquid over low heat, stirring constantly.
As soon as the seething begins, foam will appear and the milk will begin to rise to the edges, the fire is turned off. So that there is no burnt aftertaste, if the milk still managed to “escape”, then it is immediately poured into a new pan and cooled quickly.
The use of milk in cosmetology
Milk as a cosmetic product is ideal for any skin type. It cleanses and softens the epidermis, tightens and moisturizes. With the help of a drink, you can get rid of acne and eliminate age-related pigmentation. If you use milk for washing or as a cosmetic mask for at least two weeks in a row, you can notice a real result.
The simplest and most common mask is milk-gelatin. It helps to restore the structure of the epidermis, moisturizes well and smoothes fine wrinkles. Milk and gelatin are mixed and left until the mixture swells. After that, the mixture is sent to a steam bath and boiled until all the lumps disappear. Finally, a few drops of oil are added to the mask, you can add parsley juice. Apply to the skin of the face and remove after the appearance of the film. This takes about 20 minutes. You can simply wash off the mask, or you can remove the film, then you can even get rid of black dots.
And in order to get rid of redness in the off-season, the milk is heated and immediately added to it:
- honey;
- starch;
- salt.
After mixing, immediately apply to the skin of the face. After 20 minutes, remove with warm running water.
To whiten the skin, milk and olive oil are mixed in equal parts and a little lemon juice is added. Apply to the skin for 15 minutes. Remove the mask with a tissue.
It is clear that these are not all ways to become more beautiful. In principle, it is better to add milk instead of water to any mask.
Milk harm and contraindications
Even if we omit the statements of skeptics about the dangers of milk, then this drink will still not be useful to everyone. It is a scientifically established fact that 75% of the world’s population has lactose intolerance, therefore, these people should not consume cow’s milk. In addition, the older a person is, the more difficult it is for him to digest lactose, even if there were no problems before. After 50 years, it should not be consumed often, and even more so in large quantities.
There are people whose body is not able to digest milk protein. Intolerance manifests itself in the form of hives, problems with the stomach and breathing. It is believed that protein intolerance is much more dangerous than lactose intolerance, as it can lead to irreversible consequences, including anaphylactic shock.
How to choose and store milk
Give preference only to proven manufacturers of dairy products. No other drink name other than “milk” should be on the label. It is better to buy a drink in a glass or cardboard container. Most of the benefits can be obtained from a pasteurized product, but on the condition that it does not contain any other additives.
The taste of milk, as well as the color, should be saturated. The taste should not be bitter or sweet, especially with sourness, which indicates that it has begun to turn sour.
If you buy a drink at the bazaar, then do not be afraid if there is cream at the top. This indicates the high quality of the product and fat content.
Be sure to read the composition of purchased milk. It should not contain vegetable fats, all kinds of additives, in the form of sugar, vitamins. And, of course, pay attention to the expiration date.
Milk should be stored in the refrigerator, preferably in a dark container.