Facts About Milk

Milk has been part of the human diet for thousands of years. It is a nutritionally complete food and is a natural source that contains a variety of vitamins and minerals needed for good health.

Milk provides a whole range of nutrients essential to growth and development and contains no artificial preservatives or colourings.

Milk makes a significant contribution to our diets through the provision of nutrients, vitamins and minerals.

Milk is essential for:

Bone health

• Milk and dairy products are providers of calcium, phosphorous, magnesium and protein which are all essential for healthy bone growth and development. 
• Consumption of milk and dairy from early childhood and throughout life can help make the bones strong and protect them against diseases like osteoporosis.

Teeth

• The amounts of calcium and phosphorous in milk and dairy products are beneficial for healthy teeth.
• Dentists recommend that milk is the only safe drink to have between meals (except for water) as it has been shown not to cause tooth decay even in conditions perfect for damaging teeth!

Blood pressure

• An increasing number of studies suggest that consuming two portions of dairy each day, along with five portions of fruit and vegetables as part of a low salt diet can reduce high blood pressure in both adults and children.
• It is also thought that calcium may bind harmful fats together in the gut and prevent their absorption, which in turn prevents levels in the blood increasing.

Obesity

• Contrary to popular belief, research has shown that people who consume milk and dairy foods are likely to be slimmer than those who do not. 
• Studies have also shown that consumption of milk and dairy foods as part of a calorie controlled diet is associated with increased weight loss.

Type 2 diabetes

• Studies suggest that regular consumption of low fat dairy products can help to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
• It is thought that this effect may be due to the combined effects of many beneficial nutrients found within dairy foods including calcium and magnesium, or the fact that dairy foods have a low glycaemic index, which helps to control blood sugar levels.

Hydration

• Milk not only re-hydrates the body, but provides a host of beneficial nutrients and protects teeth at the same time!
• Re-hydration after exercise is particularly important to replace lost fluids, and a recent study in the USA found that chocolate milk helped the body to recover after exhausting exercise.