Dental health
The calcium in milk promotes strong and healthy teeth. It also protects your teeth from periodontal (gum) disease while also keeping your jaw bone in good shape. The need to consume milk starts early, as the nutrients present in milk, such as calcium and phosphorous, are essential for children’s dental health. Milk also contains casein, which helps form a protective film on the enamel. This helps prevent cavities.
Rehydration
Being a highly nutritious drink that contains calcium, phosphate, electrolytes and more, milk is one of the most effective rehydrating drinks. A glass of milk contains a sizeable share of a person’s daily nutritional needs and helps them stay hydrated.
Healthier bones
Milk and other dairy products are a source of calcium, phosphorus and various nutrients important for healthy bones. A cup of milk has 300mg of calcium. “The vitamin D in milk promotes absorption and use of calcium for healthy bones,” says Dr Nadine Aoun, Clinical Dietitian at Medcare Women and Children Hospital. “Milk helps strengthen bones through a combination of four important nutrients, calcium, phosphate, vitamin D and protein, that favour bone and skeletal muscle growth and development.”
Source of vitamins
Along with calcium, the vitamin D present in milk can help prevent osteoporosis. Vitamin D also promotes bone health. “Dairy foods such as milk, yoghurt and cheese provide significant amounts of nutrients including protein, vitamin A, vitamin B12, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and zinc,” says Zenia Menon, Nutritionist at Dubai Herbal and Treatment Centre.
Heart health
Milk contains potassium, which may help prevent high blood pressure (hypertension). Moreover, organic cow’s milk contains anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids, which have proven benefits for promoting heart health. Soy milk is also helpful in this aspect, as it contains 7g of protein per serving, which is great for a heart-healthy diet. Unsweetened almond milk is another heart-healthy alternative.
Skincare
From using it as a moisturiser and to lighten pigmented skin cells to applying a few spoons to treat sunburn, milk can be part of your skincare regimen. It can also be used to exfoliate dead skin cells, so it can heal cracked heels. “Goat’s milk contains high levels of vitamin A, which improves skin complexion and reduces dead cells,” says Menon.
— The writer was an intern at Gulf News Commercial Publishing
