Milk is a versatile beverage that can be incorporated in your daily diet in many ways. You can have a glass of milk to start off your day or simply pour it in a bowl of your favorite cereal for breakfast. It is a natural blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. It is the primary source of nutrition for infants and provides several health benefits to adults. You can easily find information online about the merits and demerits of drinking milk on a regular basis.
Some say that drinking milk can have harmful effects on the body, but there are an equal number of claims about its health benefits. Here are a few well-known health benefits of consuming milk every day.
Essential nutrients
Milk has many essential vitamins and minerals like protein, riboflavin, zinc,
magnesium, selenium, phosphorous, calcium, carbohydrates, and vitamins A, B12,
and D; this makes it an excellent source of nutrition. According to the USDA
National Nutrient Database, milk is an excellent source of conjugated linoleic
acid (CLA) and omega-3 fatty acids as well. Fatty acids help reduce the risk of
heart disease and diabetes and simultaneously boost your health. There are
different sources of milk, and the nutritional value varies from one type to
another. For example, organic and grass-fed cow’s milk is loaded with
antioxidants like beta-carotene and vitamin E. These antioxidants help counter
the effects of inflammation and overcome oxidative stress.
Good
for bone health
Milk is a rich source of calcium which boosts bone health. It is also loaded
with phosphorus, potassium, vitamin K2, and protein which help strengthen and
maintain healthy bones. Consuming milk on a regular basis reduces the risk of
bone-related disorders like osteoporosis. Women face a higher risk of suffering
from loss of bone density due to osteoporosis, and adding more protein to the
diet through milk can help counter this.
Protein-rich
goodness
Your body needs protein for growth. Milk is an excellent source of this
nutrient as it contains almost 8 grams of protein in a single cup. Protein is
also essential for regulating the immune system and cellular repair. These
functions are essential to ensure good health. By drinking one glass of milk
every day, your body can get enough protein to carry out these functions. Milk
has casein, whey protein, and all the nine essential amino acids that aid with
the vital functions of the body.
Helps
with weight management
It may come as a surprise, but consuming milk every
day reduces the risk of obesity. As opposed to the popular belief that milk
results in weight gain, it contains several components that lead to weight
loss. The body can only digest and process a finite amount of food, and the
excess food consumption results in the accumulation of fat that contributes to
weight gain. Milk is a rich source of protein, and protein keeps the body full
for a long time. It suppresses hunger, thus curbing untimely cravings that can
result in overeating and weight gain. Milk also boosts the fat breakdown
process and helps burn off any excess calories.