What is useful in milk. Milk: useful properties and contraindications

Cow's milk, the benefits of which are explained by the large number of useful substances contained in it, is a product known to mankind since ancient times.

However, in recent years there have been different opinions about the benefits of cow's milk: a number of researchers still consider milk the most useful and necessary product for humans, others talk about the shortcomings of this product and the negative impact on the human body.

To understand which opinion is more correct, it is worth carefully studying the arguments of opponents and supporters of milk consumption.

Cow's milk - source of origin, processing methods and chemical composition

A cow's milk is a product of the secretion of her mammary glands. At the same time, the most useful is the milk that is inside the mammary glands of a cow and has never come into contact with air. The reason for this is that fats are partially oxidized in milk that has been exposed to air. However, even such milk does not lose its nutritional value for human body.

cow's milk calories 52-64 kcal per 100 grams depending on fat content. Cow's milk contains a number of substances necessary for the human body. First of all, it is vitamin B12. This substance is vital for the proper functioning of the human nervous system, and is also involved in the process of hematopoiesis. It also contains other B vitamins, vitamins D, E, PP, beta-carotene, lactose and others. Milk contains proteins, fats, carbohydrates and amino acids that are useful to humans. There are many trace elements in cow's milk, among which calcium is the most valuable. The chemical composition of cow's milk is constantly changing depending on various factors: the stage of lactation in the animal, the breed of the cow, its nutrition and conditions of detention.

In general, taking into account modern methods of milk production and storage, we can distinguish such types of this product:

Whole milk. It is a completely natural product that has not been exposed to anything other than straining. Heating, dilution, skimming, evaporation changes the initial chemical composition of milk, such a product can no longer be called whole milk. Now such milk can only be purchased on agricultural farms and from villagers.

pasteurized milk. Milk that has undergone heating can be called pasteurized. There are several ways to pasteurize milk: long-term pasteurization, in which the product is heated to a temperature of 63 - 65 ° C for half an hour; short pasteurization, in which the milk is heated within one minute to 85 - 90 ° C; instant pasteurization, which is carried out within a few seconds, while the product is heated to 98 ° C. Such processing is carried out to destroy various microorganisms in milk, as well as to increase the shelf life of this product. Many experts believe that the nutritional value of such a product remains virtually unchanged. However, other researchers believe that the value of such a product is much lower compared to whole milk, since proteins, vitamins and trace elements in milk change their bonds and formulas under the influence of elevated temperatures.

UHT milk is a product made by heating whole milk to 125 - 150 °C for 2-3 seconds once. After that, the milk is poured into sealed packages under sterile conditions. This processing method allows you to store milk for more than a month. However, such processing destroys almost all the beneficial substances in milk.

Cow's milk health benefits

The chemical composition of milk makes it a unique source of nutrition for humans. It has a significant positive effect on our body and provides it with the necessary vitamins and minerals.

So, thanks to the large number calcium, milk has a positive effect on the condition of the teeth and bones of a person. Therefore, people who consume milk reduce the risk of dental problems. Drinking milk is also recommended to keep bones strong and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

Protein, which cow's milk contains in large quantities, promotes the growth and strengthening of human muscles. Therefore, this product is especially popular among athletes seeking to build and strengthen muscle mass.

vitamins, contained in cow's milk, help reduce stress levels in humans. Therefore, a glass of warm milk - The best way relax and release the tension accumulated during the day. It can also reduce the manifestations of premenstrual syndrome in women, relax the body and reduce nervous tension during this period.

Scientists in the UK, after analyzing numerous studies, came to the conclusion that milk helps lower blood pressure, reduces the risk of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases. In addition, cow's milk helps to get rid of heartburn, improves digestion, gives a person a feeling of satiety and, thereby, contributes to weight loss.

Thus, milk is a healthy and tasty natural product that can support the human body in good physical shape, and can also serve as a prevention of various diseases. Therefore, many people should include this product in their daily diet.

Cow's milk is harmful to humans

Many scientists talk not only about the benefits, but also about the dangers of milk. In particular, note the frequent allergic reactions for milk. Such reactions are caused by intolerance to milk sugar (lactose), which occurs in 15% population. This intolerance is expressed as follows: after drinking milk, a person begins severe bloating and diarrhea. Also, allergic reactions to casein protein, which is found in large quantities in cow's milk, are not uncommon.

However, when talking about allergic reactions to milk, it should be borne in mind that the frequency of these reactions is different. from different peoples. In representatives of the European ethnic group, milk intolerance is not very common, on average it is 2-5% of the ethnic group. At the same time, among the peoples of Asia and Africa, milk intolerance is much more common, up to 50-75% of the ethnic group. This is explained by the fact that European peoples are better than Asians and Africans are adapted to the use of this product at the genetic level.

Also, many theorists vegetarianism and raw food diets talk about other disadvantages of drinking cow's milk. So, according to some researchers, the acidity of gastric juice increases from milk, as a result of which the risk of developing stomach ulcers increases.

Some scientists believe that drinking cow's milk increases the risk of breast, prostate, and bladder cancer. However, which component of milk increases this risk is not known. Some scientists blame it on milk sugar, others on the hormone estrogen found in milk. At the same time, milk is known to reduce the risk of bowel cancer.

It should be noted that modern milk producers very often administer to animals hormonal preparations and antibiotics. Such methods, of course, have a negative impact on the quality of milk and its beneficial properties. In this context, the most useful milk is produced by farmers in villages where cows live in natural conditions, eat fresh feed and grass, and are not exposed to hormonal drugs and antibiotics.

Cow's milk in the diet of pregnant and lactating women

Pregnant and lactating women have a greater need for calcium, protein and vitamins. To satisfy this need of the body, they should include cow's milk in their diet. Benefits of this product during pregnancy and breastfeeding explained as follows:

Milk is a source of calcium, which is necessary for the formation of the skeletal system and the child. Also, this product helps to replenish calcium reserves in the mother's body.

Milk during pregnancy and breastfeeding becomes a source of animal protein, which is necessary for the formation of the fetus and the proper physical development of the child.

The use of milk has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, hair and nails of a pregnant woman.

Milk sugar contained in milk promotes better absorption of calcium. It also helps to strengthen the immune system.

Thus, cow's milk and other products made from it are indispensable both during pregnancy and during breastfeeding. Except in cases of individual intolerance and allergies.

Cow's milk for children: benefit or harm?

For many years, cow's milk was considered an appropriate food for babies whose mothers could not feed them with their breast milk. However, the latest research shows that cow's milk feeding to babies is not as healthy and safe as previously thought.

Of course, cow's milk contains many useful elements. However, such a composition of milk is by no means beneficial to the baby's body, since it is not able to absorb these substances.

Enzymes contained in cow's milk do not correspond to the norm for a child. Therefore, his body will not be able to fully assimilate such nutrition, and undigested food residues will irritate the baby's intestines.

Too much casein protein in cow's milk can cause allergic reactions;

Too high fat content of cow's milk causes an overload of the child's body;

The amount of vitamins and iron in cow's milk is not enough for a growing organism;

And there are too many minerals in cow's milk. Therefore, feeding with cow's milk can cause too much heavy load on the child's kidneys.

For the reasons listed above, modern doctors do not recommend feed children with cow's milk up to 2 years. The ideal food for such children is breast milk, and if breastfeeding is not possible, it is necessary to choose a suitable mixture, whose composition is as close as possible to the composition of breast milk.

Thus, the harm and benefits of drinking cow's milk depend from many factors: from the processing methods to which the product was subjected, from the conditions in which the animal lives, from the individual characteristics of each person and other factors. Therefore, the question of the need to use this product, each person must decide individually, taking into account their individual characteristics.

Academician Ivan Petrovich Pavlov called milk a complete food product. This is true: all young mammals that are not yet able to digest other food are fed with liquid.

Every year, the inhabitants of the planet drink 500 million liters of milk. The product is actively used in cooking and cosmetology. But experts have not yet come to the same opinion about the usefulness of milk, especially for an adult organism.

Composition, nutritional value and calorie content of milk

The composition of the drink may vary slightly depending on the age and breed of animals, the time of year, and the feeding habits of mammals. Nutritional value is directly related to the composition of the product. Averages:

fat - 2.8-5%;
proteins - 3.3% (albumin, casein, globulin);
carbohydrates - 4.6% (lactose);
water - 87.8%;
enzymes;
minerals and trace elements;
gases and hormones are present in small amounts.

Caloric content of milk - an average of 60-65 kcal.

Milk forms

Fresh milk - a product that has not been processed in the factory, is usually sold in the markets. In a raw drink, the content of fats and proteins is higher, more vitamins and microelements. But raw milk can be dangerous. In a “clean” product, favorable conditions are preserved for the reproduction of harmful microorganisms: coli, salmonella, helminths.

Baked milk is a drink obtained by boiling followed by prolonged heating. The product has a characteristic beige color and a sweet smell. During the boiling process, the amount of vitamins B1 and C decreases. But vitamins A and D, on the contrary, become more, which makes the melted liquid especially useful for the nervous and immune systems.

pasteurized milk- it is processed by high temperatures in industrial conditions. Sterilized containers are used for beverage packaging. Some of the nutrients are destroyed by heat treatment, but such a product is safe and does not need to be boiled.

sterilized milk- It is obtained by strong heating and subsequent instantaneous cooling. This treatment destroys all microorganisms contained in the liquid: both harmful and beneficial. The product can be stored up to a year. You can use a sterilized drink without fear, but there is almost no benefit from it.

Condensed milk- a product mixed with sugar and lactose. The delicacy is characterized by a creamy color and a uniform texture. Processing features allow you to save beneficial features dairy product. Only excessive passion can be dangerous: there is a lot of sugar in the delicacy.

Useful properties of milk

The main feature of the drink is the high content of calcium, which is absorbed by the body by 97%. No other product has these properties.

The composition of milk is useful for the human body as a whole:

Lowers the acidity of the stomach. The drink is also recommended for ordinary heartburn, and for people suffering from gastritis and peptic ulcers.
Amino acids in milk are involved in the formation of serotonin. A glass of drink at night helps to cope with insomnia and general anxiety.
The product contains glutathione, which helps to cleanse the body. Milk can remove quite serious substances: pesticides and heavy metals. People whose work is associated with hazardous production in Russia are entitled to free delivery of milk.
Strengthens immunity.
Contributes to the normal functioning of the heart muscle, liver, kidneys.
Quenches thirst better than water.

The drink is useful for osteoporosis and hypertension.

Milk is also recommended for type 2 diabetes: just one glass of the product contains the daily requirement of potassium, which is necessary for the disease. Often diabetes is accompanied by problems with the gastrointestinal tract. Then the drink can be replaced or supplemented with dairy products:

cottage cheese;
cheese;
buttermilk, which is especially beneficial for older people.

Harmful properties of milk

The product has enough opponents who are confident that milk can seriously harm a person. The lactose contained in the liquid is really poorly absorbed by many people, especially after 50 years. Milk can be harmful to health when the daily dose of the drink exceeds 1-2 glasses:

possible diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, metabolic disorders;
increases the level of glucose in the body;
allergic reactions may occur;
can cause obesity.

For people with lactose intolerance, it is better to replace animal milk with vegetable milk: coconut, rice, oatmeal.

Milk for women

Ladies not only drink the drink, but also use it for cosmetic purposes, and add it to culinary dishes. For women suffering from headaches, a glass of milk helps better than pills.

The product must be included in the diet of expectant mothers and girls who adhere to proper nutrition.

Milk during pregnancy

The composition of the drink is good for the health of a pregnant woman and an unborn baby:

calcium and phosphorus form the bone tissue of the fetus and help preserve the teeth and nails of a young mother;
milk protein helps build baby's body tissues;
fatty acid participate in the development of the fetal nervous system;
magnesium and sodium have a beneficial effect on metabolic processes.

Pregnant women suffering from diabetes can replace cow's milk with goat's: it is better absorbed and does not contain glucose.

Expectant mothers should refuse the drink with lactase deficiency, enteritis and ulcerative colitis. You can benefit from other dairy products: kefir, sour cream, ryazhenka,.

drink the drink in small sips;
Before going to bed, add honey to a glass of milk;
avoid products from unknown manufacturers;
do not drink a drink immediately after eating;
milk is better to use diluted: with tea, cocoa, cottage cheese.

During the third trimester, it is desirable to reduce the proportion of the product in the diet. The drink can contribute to excessive strengthening of the fetal skull - this will complicate labor activity.

For weight loss

Milk helps to get rid of extra pounds due to the large amount of calcium: a deficiency of the element slows down the destruction of body fat. An additional plus - the drink helps to reduce the feeling of hunger.

For weight loss, there are effective diets based on milk:

Mono-diet involves eating only milk. Duration - 7 days, effect - minus one kilogram per day. The option is suitable only for young people and healthy women, the rest is better to choose more gentle ways to lose weight.
banana diet. The daily diet includes 1 liter of milk and 4 bananas. Duration - no more than a week.
Milk and vegetable. The menu is allowed to diversify with eggs, vegetables, fruits. The volume of a serving of a dish should not exceed 200 g, the interval between meals should be 3 hours.
A sparing diet allows you to combine milk with vegetables, cereals, yogurts, cottage cheese casseroles.

When following a milk diet, fruits included in the diet should not be acidic. Peaches, pears, sweet apples go well with a drink. Kiwi, citrus fruits, pineapples are not recommended during the diet.

Women who do not tolerate dietary restrictions can try fasting days: it is allowed to drink a liter of medium-fat milk per day. It is allowed to supplement the menu with tea and coffee without sugar. Weight loss after a dairy fasting day - up to one kilogram.

Milk for men

The lifestyle of the strong half of humanity involves regular physical activity. The chemical composition of milk helps to support an active male body:

positively affects the nervous system and heart function: men are more prone to depression and stroke than women;
strengthens bones that can suffer during physical activity;
vitamins and folic acid contained in milk strengthen potency;
helps build muscle mass.

The product is contraindicated for men only with individual intolerance. It is not recommended to drink milk for kidney problems: you can replace the drink with fermented milk products.

Milk for children

Babies up to a year are only useful for one milk - breast milk. It is difficult for a child under 12 months to digest an animal product: there is too much calcium and phosphorus in the drink for an organism that has just begun to form. Even if it is not possible to breastfeed a child, it is worth giving preference to adapted mixtures. You can diversify the menu with children's yogurt and cottage cheese.

You can gradually introduce milk into the baby's diet no earlier than the first birthday. It is better to give preference to goat or milk made especially for children. A classic drink from under a cow can be drunk no earlier than 3-4 years: it must be boiled milk.

As they grow older, the share of dairy products in the child's diet decreases: at 4-5 years old, the body needs a drink much more than at 11-12.

The effect of milk on the body of an adult

Doubts about the benefits of the product from researchers arose for a long time. Experiments and surveys were conducted, but there were no reliable facts about the dangers of milk for the human body.

Arguments of opponents of the drink and rebuttals of opponents from the Association of Milkmen:

The prevalence of oncological diseases is associated with hormones that enter the body with food. But in milk harmful substances less than other products. The amount of hormones that can provoke the development of cancer in red meat is much higher.
Milk protein causes type 1 diabetes - an unproven fact.
Osteoporosis is less common in Easterners who hardly drink the drink. But Asia has a different type of food in general.

The global study was conducted for 28 years among 400 thousand people from different countries. The results showed that milk drinkers suffered less from cardiovascular diseases than those who chose to refuse the product.

Calcium from milk is really hard for many people to digest. The problem is solved by regular intake of vitamin D.

Drinks with milk

The product is often mixed with other drinks. Sometimes such a connection is beneficial, in some cases it can harm:

Green tea with milk in Asian countries they always drank. They consider this combination one of the most useful. Green tea reduces the risk of heart attack, is good for teeth, helps to lose weight. Milk added to a hot drink contributes to the complete absorption of the substances contained in green tea.

The connection also preserves the nervous system: milk neutralizes the stimulating effect of tannin, which is enough in tea. The drink has a strong diuretic effect, with kidney disease it is undesirable to drink it. Green tea with milk is also useful for those who want to lose weight. The drink suppresses appetite well.

Black tea with milk. The main feature of the drink is an increase in vitality and restoration of strength after physical exertion. Those who like to add milk to black tea are less likely to suffer from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and kidneys. The drink relieves the symptoms of poisoning. In order for tea to bring maximum benefit, it must be prepared as follows: first pour milk into a cup, and then add tea leaves.

Chicory with milk- a successful combination that allows you to easily absorb the beneficial substances from both products. The drink is especially useful for older people. Chicory normalizes blood pressure, improves digestion, has a positive effect on the state of the nervous system. Milk softens the specific taste of the product.

Helpful Recipe: 1 tbsp is added to a glass of milk. l. chicory. The mixture is brought to a boil, infused for 3-5 minutes, filtered.

Cocoa with milk reduces the risk of blood clots, improves the condition of teeth, prevents the development of cancer, stimulates mental activity and improves mood. The drink is useful for men: it helps to produce testosterone, protects against prostatitis.

Women who want to lose weight can safely add cocoa with sugar-free milk to the menu. A low-calorie product reduces cravings for sweets. It is undesirable to drink cocoa with milk for pregnant and lactating women: the drink contains a little caffeine.

Coffee with milk is contraindicated in pregnant and lactating women, people with diseases of the cardiovascular system. The rest of the drink will not bring harm. Milk reduces the stimulating effect of caffeine, softens the taste of the drink. Coffee suppresses appetite, increases efficiency, improves the condition of the digestive tract. With milk, you can create different types drinks: mocha, latte, cappuccino.

Milk with honey is the best sedative, useful for people in a state of prolonged stress. Drinking in the morning, the drink, on the contrary, is able to awaken the body. Honey in combination with milk strengthens bones, has a beneficial effect on digestion, and increases endurance. Both products are also used externally: honey and milk improve skin condition.

Recipe for insomnia: 1 glass of milk is heated over low heat, poured into a cup. 1 tbsp is added to the liquid. l. honey.

Helpful Recipe: 1 cinnamon stick is added to 1 glass of milk. The mixture is supplemented with 5 drops of vanilla and 1 tsp. honey.

Milk porridge

Nutritionists advise cooking cereals only in water. But cereals with milk have their advantages: dishes are tasty and like children, they are more nutritious and better absorbed.

The most popular cereals with milk:

Millet porridge cleanses the body. The dish is able to remove even salts of heavy metals. Useful millet porridge in milk and while taking antibiotics. The dish improves bowel function, so doctors recommend including porridge in the diet of pregnant and lactating women.

Recipe: 1 cup of millet is boiled until the water boils off, milk, sugar and salt are added to taste. The dish is cooked for another 20 minutes over low heat.

Rice porridge retains all the beneficial properties during cooking. The dish helps to remove toxins from the body. allowed to use even people who have suffered poisoning. Rice porridge with milk is useful for pregnant and lactating women, people with diseases of the cardiovascular system and kidney failure.

Recipe: 1 cup of rice and 2 cups of water are poured into the pan, salt is added to taste. After boiling water, milk and sugar are added, all components are thoroughly mixed. The dish is cooked until the milk boils.

Oatmeal, unlike most others, does not contain gluten, so it is useful even for diabetes, pregnancy and lactation. Oatmeal in milk lowers blood sugar, gives a feeling of satiety, improves digestion. The dish has a positive effect on the condition of the skin, nails and hair.

Recipe: 1 cup of cereals soaked in cold water for one hour, poured with 2 cups of milk and boiled over medium heat. After boiling, the dish is cooked for another 15 minutes with constant stirring.

Semolina porridge has a positive effect on mental activity and the state of the nervous system due to the high content of B vitamins. The dish is useful for recovering from a serious illness. Semolina porridge in milk normalizes the digestive tract and relieves fatigue. The product is not recommended for children under one and a half years old and overweight people.

Recipe: Milk is brought to a boil. Groats are added in a thin stream at the rate of 10 mg per 100 ml of milk. Porridge is cooked for 2 minutes with continuous stirring.

Buckwheat porridge is considered one of the most useful: the dish lowers cholesterol, strengthens blood vessels, relieves fatigue. not recommended for diabetes and kidney failure - there is quite a lot of starch in cereals.

Recipe: washed cereal is poured with milk in proportions of 1: 4, the dish is cooked for half an hour.

Corn porridge is useful for normal bowel function. The dish helps to lose weight and improves skin condition. Corn porridge with milk can be included in the menu of children and pregnant women.

Recipe: cereals are poured into water, the proportions are 1:2. After boiling, milk is added, salt and sugar are added. The porridge is cooked over medium heat until thickened.

Milk should not be abused, then the drink will only benefit. The best option for those who care about health - diversify the diet with tea, cereals and cottage cheese with the addition of milk.

Scientists, and even ordinary people, have been arguing for many years about the benefits and harms of milk. Supporters of both "camps" provide strong evidence in favor of their theories, but so far they have not come to a consensus. Let's try to figure out together whether milk is so useful, as it is sung in a famous children's song, and whether it is so harmful, as some experts say. And we will understand, relying both on scientific facts and on the observations of ordinary people.

Chemical composition

Nutritional value of 100 g:

Calorie content: 45 kcal
Proteins: 3 gr
Fats: 1.5 gr
Carbohydrates: 4.8 gr

Organic acids: 0.1 gr
Water: 89.9 gr
Saturated fatty acids: 1 g
Cholesterol: 5 mg
Mono- and disaccharides: 4.8 g
Ash: 0.7 gr

Macronutrients:

Calcium: 120 mg
Magnesium: 14 mg
Sodium: 50 mg
Potassium: 146 mg
Phosphorus: 90 mg
Chlorine: 110 mg
Sulfur: 29 mg

Vitamins:

Vitamin A: 0.01 mg
Vitamin PP: 0.1 mg
Vitamin A (RE): 10 mcg
Vitamin B1 (thiamine): 0.04 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin): 0.15 mg
Vitamin B5 (pantothenic): 0.4 mg
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine): 0.05 mg
Vitamin B9 (folic): 5 mcg
Vitamin B12 (cobalamins): 0.4 mcg
Vitamin C: 1.3 mg
Vitamin D: 0.05 mcg
Vitamin H (biotin): 3.2 mcg
Vitamin PP (Niacin equivalent): 0.8 mg
Choline: 23.6 mg

Trace elements:

Iron: 0.1 mg
Zinc: 0.4 mg
Iodine: 9 mcg
Copper: 12 mcg
Manganese: 0.006 mg
Selenium: 2 mcg
Chromium: 2 mcg
Fluorine: 20 mcg
Molybdenum: 5 mcg
Cobalt: 0.8 mcg
Aluminum: 50 mcg
Tin: 13 mcg
Strontium: 17 mcg

The composition of milk includes mineral, regular, energy and plastic substances, as well as some vitamins.

Plastic substances - amino acids

Three of them are especially important: lysine, tryptophan, methionine. If we consider them in more detail, we can distinguish the following features:

Lysine- a substance that affects blood formation. Its deficiency in the body leads to anemia and a lack of hemoglobin.
tryptophan- Needed for the synthesis of serotonin and nicotinic acid. Scientists have proven that the lack of this substance in the body can lead to such dangerous diseases as tuberculosis, diabetes, and even dementia.
Methionine- a necessary component in the body that regulates fat metabolism and minimizes the risk of developing a fatty liver.

Minerals and trace elements

The product contains a huge amount of minerals: salts of calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, as well as phosphoric, hydrochloric and citric acids. These components are found in milk in an easily digestible form. In addition, milk contains trace elements in small quantities: cobalt, manganese, iodine, copper, zinc and many other elements from the periodic table.

All of them are beneficial for the human body, to one degree or another prevent the development of serious diseases. So, for example, a deficiency can lead to abnormalities in the functioning of the thyroid gland.

Lactose - stimulates the nervous system and regulates the work of the heart and blood vessels.
Milk fat is an excellent source of energy.

Milk fat includes the most famous fatty acids to date, including those without which the full functioning of the body is impossible, but it is not able to produce them on its own. This component of milk is also rich in vitamins A, E, K, D, which are present in minimal amounts in other animal fats.

Regulatory elements - vitamins

It is known that a complex of vitamins is necessary for a person for health and a fulfilling life. Milk contains more than 30 vitamins, among which the most important are A, B1, B2.

The benefits of milk

Our grandparents also proved from their own experience that milk is useful for colds. And modern researchers have already confirmed that immunoglobulins, which are formed from protein foods, are needed to treat the infection. And milk protein is considered the most digestible of all known.

Important! The calcium contained in milk makes this product indispensable for children, as it is involved in the formation of bones, hair, and tooth enamel. Calcium is also useful for people suffering from osteoporosis.

A mug of warm milk at night helps with it, as it has a sedative effect on the nervous system. For heartburn, it is also recommended to drink some milk, as it lowers acidity.

Non-traditional ways of using milk include its use in cosmetology. Milk-based products moisturize, relieve irritation and fight inflammation.

Important!Milk is also useful because it has a diuretic effect, due to which the pressure decreases.

Harmful properties

Relying on Scientific research, you can talk about the dangers of milk for a very long time. Let's look at the most common theories.

The harm of lactose

Milk sugar (lactose) is broken down into two separate components, glucose and galactose. The first is completely absorbed, but the second is deposited on the joints, which can cause, as well as on the lens of the eye, which leads to the formation. There is also an opinion that galactose is the "culprit" in women.

Harm of radionuclides

We recommend reading:

Radionuclides are contained in many products, but it is almost impossible to remove them from milk. These substances, according to some researchers, contribute to the development of polyarthritis, rheumatism and atherosclerosis.

Interesting! If the cow was also given growth hormones in her food, then her milk can cause prostate cancer in men.

Naturally, harmful properties milk can manifest itself as a painful reaction in people prone to allergies. Therefore, the product should be used in moderation, and if signs of an allergy were noticed, be sure to consult a doctor.

Important!Due to poor ecology, many modern children are prone to allergies, including cow's milk. Therefore, before introducing complementary foods, consult a pediatrician. This is especially true with poor heredity.

Elena Malysheva tells about the possible harm that can be caused to the human body as a result of drinking milk:

Of course, the most useful is fresh milk. But not everyone can afford to buy it. When purchasing a product in the markets or in stores, follow the rules described below.

When buying village milk, you must be sure of the cleanliness of both the animal and its owner.
In the store, choose a pasteurized (not sterilized!) product, since the former has a more gentle processing, which allows you to save all the useful properties to the maximum.

Cow's milk has been present in the human diet since early childhood and often remains the most consumed product into adulthood. Despite the fact that the benefits of milk are generally recognized due to the rich vitamin composition, nevertheless, in some cases, it can cause some harm to the body. Therefore, let's try to figure out what the benefits of this product are, to whom it is recommended for use, and for what reasons it is best to refuse it.

Milk is the first and for a long time the only product that a newborn organism eats. Therefore, in its composition it contains all the substances and elements necessary for growth and development. Their concentration is so optimal that for a certain time the cub does not need to supplement its diet with other products.

In addition, it is not only food, because such a drink perfectly quenches thirst due to the high water content.

Important! Cow's milk is most valued for its optimal calcium content in its composition, which ensures its easy absorption by the body.

Nutritional value of whole cow's milk in 100 g of the product:

water - 87.2 g;
proteins - 3.2 g;
fats - 3.6 g;
carbohydrates - 4.8 g;
dietary fiber - 0 g;
ash - 0.7 mg;
calories - 65 kcal.

Macronutrients per 100 g of product:

potassium - 146 mg;
calcium - 120 mg;
chlorine - 110 mg;
phosphorus - 90 mg;
sodium - 50 mg;
sulfur - 29 mg;
magnesium - 14 mg.

Trace elements in 100 g of product:

aluminum - 50 mcg;
fluorine - 20 mcg;
strontium - 17 mcg;
tin - 13 mcg;
copper - 12 mcg;
iodine - 9 mcg;
molybdenum - 5 mcg;
selenium - 2 mcg;
chromium - 2 mcg;
cobalt - 0.8 µg;
zinc - 0.4 mcg;
iron - 0.067 mcg;
manganese - 0.006 mcg.

Vitamins in 100 g of product:

A (retinol) - 0.03 mg;
B1 (thiamine) - 0.04 mg;
B2 (riboflavin) - 0.15 mg;
B4 (choline) - 23.6 mg;
B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0.38 mg;
B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.05 mg;
B9 (folic acid) - 5 mcg;
B12 (cobalamin) - 0.4 mcg;
C (ascorbic acid) - 1.4 mg;
D (calciferol) - 0.05 mcg;
E (tocopherol) - 0.09 mcg;
H (biotin) - 3.2 mcg;
RR (NE) - 0.9 mg;
PP (niacin) - 0.1 mg.

Milk is the first protein product, its proteins are mainly represented by casein, albumin and globulin. Also, this product is a source of carbohydrates, which are contained in it mainly in the form of milk sugar - lactose, although glucose (dextrose) and galactose are also present in a smaller amount.

Also, the composition of fresh dairy products includes many essential and non-essential amino acids:

arginine;
tryptophan;
lysine;
methionine;
leucine;
isoleucine;
histidine;
tyrosine;
glycine;
phenylalanine;
valine;
alanine;
tyrosine;
cysteine;
proline;
serine;
aspartic acid;
glutamic acid.

Among other things, this product contains cholesterol in the amount of 10 mg per 100 g of product.

What are the benefits for the body

Cow's milk has a beneficial effect on the health of the body. It regulates metabolism, replenishes the need for proteins and carbohydrates, maintains water balance, and a large amount of calcium helps strengthen the skeleton. In addition to the general benefit, this product will be of particular importance for various categories of people.

For men

The specificity of the male body is that men are subject to much more intense physical activity.

Hard physical work, intense rhythm of life, strength training in the gym, regular sports lead to the fact that the body significantly increases the need to increase endurance and build muscle mass, and therefore, in proteins and carbohydrates.
Milk is exactly the product that successfully copes with the task of replenishing proteins and carbohydrates in the male body.

This food is the main ingredient protein shakes used by athletes. However, it can be drunk on its own, since a large number of proteins in its composition are complete. building material for muscles growing after physical and power loads.

It has been observed that if after strength training drink a glass of milk in the gym, then the next day the pain in the muscles will be significantly less, and the muscles themselves will grow much faster.

The same applies to the energy recovery of the body after heavy physical, emotional and stressful loads, which is especially important both for men working in physically difficult jobs, and for office workers, careerists, whose life is directly related to lack of sleep, malnutrition, chronic stress and exhaustion. .
A large amount of carbohydrates replenishes the energy reserves of the body, restores resources for the full functioning of all internal organs, and also gives strength for further active physical and psycho-emotional activity.

The benefits of dairy products for male potency deserve special attention. Of course, this drink does not directly affect the sexual sphere.

Important! Drinking just half a liter of milk a day, a man can thus replenish a third of the daily protein requirement.

However, potency, sexual desire and the ability to successfully perform sexual function largely depend on the general condition of the body, on the vitamin and mineral balance of nutrients in the cells of the body. And cow's milk is a source of the most essential vitamins, minerals and amino acids that the body only needs.

For women

Since milk is rich in vitamins and various minerals, including calcium, its use has a beneficial effect on the female body.

A sufficient amount of all these substances leads to the normalization of the menstrual cycle in women, because if the body experiences a “shake” from exhaustion and lack nutrients, then the cycle is disrupted or may even stop altogether - there is such a cycle disorder disease as amenorrhea.

In addition, calcium, which is so rich in cow's milk, is not only strong bones and healthy joints, but also beautiful, thick hair, radiant skin, strong nails.

Milk for women is useful not only when ingested - it is widely used in home cosmetology. Based on this product, a variety of masks for hair and face are made, because additional nutrition of the skin of the face, décolleté and head only improves appearance, maintaining the health of the body and metabolism in cells, not only from the inside, but also from the outside.
This drink perfectly moisturizes the skin, soothes and reduces irritation and inflammation, softens, and has a rejuvenating effect. It is often used in spa treatments and is very effective in body care when taking the so-called "Cleopatra baths" - a bath with warm water, to which 1 liter of milk is added.

Also, with the regular use of dairy products, immunity increases, and this significantly reduces the risk of diseases of the female genital area. Moreover, regular use acts as a kind of prevention of breast cancer and uterine fibroids.

In addition, this product is indispensable in such special conditions of a woman as pregnancy and lactation. It is known that during the bearing and feeding of a child, the female body spends a large amount of its own resources in order to provide the growing baby with everything necessary. In this case, milk is an excellent source of calcium and fluorine, vitamins and minerals.
A large amount of easily digestible calcium allows you to use milk drinks when losing weight. A sufficient amount of calcium in the body not only strengthens bones, but also normalizes metabolism, which, with a lack of this macronutrient and with general exhaustion, slows down significantly.

In addition, the high-protein composition quickly causes a feeling of fullness, which does not go away for a long time and therefore allows you to reduce the use of other products.

For kids

The benefits of cow's milk for a growing child's body are generally recognized. The proteins in its composition are easily digested, therefore they are an urgent need for full growth. And a significant amount of carbohydrates replenishes the energy supply that children actively use during the day. Even the fats found in milk are easily absorbed by children.

The vitamins and minerals in this product make up for the lack of these beneficial substances, minimizing the need for the use of synthetic multivitamin complexes.
It is also a source of calcium, which is so necessary for children during the period of growth. The use of dairy products is the key to a harmoniously developing skeleton and strong bones, which significantly reduces the risk of fractures, bone fragility and rickets.

Important! The main condition for the use of this product by children-give it moderately and on time. Since cow's milk differs in composition from women's milk and is intended specifically to meet the needs of the calf, and not the child, it should be introduced only after 1 year and gradually, in small portions. Failure to comply with these conditions can be fraught with indigestibility of the dairy product and even intoxication of the child's body.

For the elderly

Older people experience many age-related diseases. Osteoporosis can occur, which is characterized by the fact that calcium begins to leach too much from the tissues and bones, making them too brittle, thin and prone to fractures and cracks. It is cow's milk that successfully compensates for the lack of calcium, because this element is 98% absorbed by humans.

This product is also effective against viral infections, in which the body fights pathogens precisely at the expense of proteins. And milk is a source of easily digestible proteins.

The content of a large number of amino acids allows you to cope with insomnia, quench headaches and migraines, reduce pain sensitivity in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Milk is effective for heartburn, as it can reduce acidity. It is useful even for hypertensive patients, as it has a diuretic effect, which helps to lower blood pressure.
In addition, cow's milk proteins have a pronounced antitoxic effect due to their ability to bind many toxins and remove them from the body. This product even reduces side effects from taking antibiotics.

Important! The use of milk in old age, exceeding the 50-year mark, should be dosed-no more than 1 glass per day. This is due to the fact that the content of cholesterol in milk can lead to the development of a disease such as atherosclerosis.

Features of use

Despite the benefits of dairy products for the body of people of any age and gender, you should not get carried away with it. Cow's milk is primarily adapted to the needs of this type of mammal, so not all people are able to consume this product without consequences for themselves. Under certain conditions, the introduction of milk into the diet should be dosed and have its own conditions for use.

During pregnancy

Taking into account the increased consumption of "building materials" that the body of a pregnant woman "gives" for the development of the fetal body, all the advantages in replenishing this consumption are found in milk. Calcium from this product allows not only to provide the fetus with "bricks", but also to protect the teeth, hair and nails of the expectant mother from falling out and weakening.
It is known that if a pregnant woman does not consume an increased amount of vitamins and minerals, then the developing pregnancy will begin to "pull" the missing elements from the mother's body. And this is fraught with a deterioration in the health of the woman herself. In addition, her own resources may not be enough to meet the ever-increasing needs of the fetus.

Therefore, drinking cow's milk during pregnancy is recommended for everyone who does not suffer from milk intolerance and who is not allergic to this product. The minimum consumption rate is at least 1 glass per week, and the recommended one is 1–2 glasses per day.

With lactation

The use of a fresh dairy product during lactation is a controversial issue. On the one hand, such a dietary supplement is rich in calcium, phosphorus and vitamins, and therefore it is very necessary for the mother's body during recovery after childbirth. But on the other hand, cow's milk contains a very allergenic protein - casein.
Once in the mother's body, it also enters breast milk and can cause an allergic reaction in the baby in the form of hives, nasal congestion, runny nose, shortness of breath, and indigestion.

Young mothers are advised to start introducing fresh dairy products into their diet no earlier than the first month of a baby's life - just this time the baby will already have time to get stronger and will not react painfully to a foreign protein. And you need to start the tasting little by little - drink a quarter of a glass, and then watch for 2 days to see if the baby has a reaction.

If all is well, you can start drinking milk regularly, gradually increasing the amount to 1-2 glasses a day.

Another feature of the use of fresh dairy products during lactation concerns fresh milk. There is a myth that its constant use also increases the amount of lactation in a woman. This is not true. Cow's milk does not affect lactation in any way. But paired products immediately from under the cow can even adversely affect breastfeeding.
The thing is that the paired product contains a large amount of estrogen - a female hormone, with an increase in the amount of which in a woman's body, lactation decreases or even completely stops. Therefore, you can drink fresh milk, but in very limited quantities and if there are no problems with feeding.

However, it is best to wait a couple of hours - during this time the hormone has time to lose its activity to a large extent.

Did you know? Casein,main protein in cow's milk-very sticky substance. It is widely used in industry and is used to make adhesives, plastics and paints.

When losing weight

The use of milk during weight loss is not only acceptable, but can be recommended. When following strict diets, when the body is deficient in many nutrients, dairy products can become an indispensable source of vitamins and minerals. However, not every product is suitable for losing weight.
So, whole cow's milk contains a fairly large amount of fat. These fats are poorly digested and are often deposited on the sides and hips. Therefore, to drink milk when losing weight, you need to skim or low in fat (1.5%).

Otherwise, this product regulates metabolic processes, compensates for the lack of calcium and has a diuretic effect, which only helps to effectively burn fat without harming the body.

With diabetes

In diabetes mellitus type 1 and 2, eating is allowed, but with extreme caution. Milk sugar, fats and carbohydrates can cause blood glucose levels to rise. Therefore, you need to drink only a fat-free product and no more than 2 glasses a day, which will be equal to 2 bread units (XE).

Diabetics should not drink fresh milk, because it is very fatty and contains too many carbohydrates.

With pancreatitis

With pancreatitis, this product is dangerous because it can cause fermentation in the intestines and exacerbate the disease. In addition, pancreatitis is characterized by the fact that it causes insufficient fermentation, which leads to the occurrence of fermentation processes. Therefore, for patients with pancreatitis, whole cow's milk is a taboo.

But there are compromise options - skimmed, pasteurized and diluted with water (1: 1) milk. Such a product will not become a problem for digestion, suitable for making cereals and just for drinking. But you should not get carried away and drink more than 1 liter per day, otherwise fermentation processes can still occur.

With gastritis

Features of use depend on the type of gastritis - with high acidity or low.
So, with increased acidity, the product can be drunk - and it is fatty milk. It coats the stomach and reduces acidity. But with low acidity, such properties of the product will be completely inopportune. Therefore, with this type of gastritis, you should not eat fresh dairy products, but rather replace it with sour-milk products that will increase acidity.

Did you know? International Milk Day is especially celebrated in Brussels. On this day, the famous Manneken Pis fountain “pees” with milk instead of water.

Contraindications and harm

Contraindications to the use of whole cow's milk:

lactose intolerance due to lactase deficiency- an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar;
allergy to cow's milk proteins (casein);
the formation of phosphate stones in the kidneys;
severe kidney disease;
calcification - the deposition of calcium salts in the vessels;
old age over 50 years - in this case we are not talking about a complete ban on the product, but about limiting it to 1 glass per day due to the risk of atherosclerosis;
obesity - a contraindication for the use of dairy products with a high percentage of fat content;
infectious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and poisoning;
phenylketonuria - a disease that leads to a violation of the metabolism of amino acids, due to which proteins are not broken down.

Although whole cow's milk is by and large useful product, in some situations it may have some side effects:

Whole cow's milk that has not been heat-treated (purchased from dairymen in the market) may contain disease-causing bacteria, including tuberculosis bacillus, diphtheria bacillus, or salmonella.
Pasteurized products during the heat treatment process, although already safe, lose a certain amount of useful elements that are destroyed under the influence of high temperatures, and ultra-pasteurized products contain even fewer micro and macro elements.
The product may contain hormones and antibiotics, which are given to cows in large factories for rapid growth, high milk yield and for the treatment of various diseases.
Fresh milk contains a significant amount of the hormone estrogen, which adversely affects lactation in women.

Traditional medicine recipes

Cow's milk is not only a food product, but also a remedy that is widely used in folk medicine to treat a wide variety of diseases.

Did you know? Initially, people in ancient times all suffered from lactose intolerance in adulthood, because after the end of the breastfeeding period, a gene responsible for stopping the production of lactase “turned on” in a person.-an enzyme that breaks down milk sugar. In the course of evolution, in the vast majority of Europeans (up to 85–90%), this gene mutated, and lactase production continued into adulthood, which allows most modern Europeans to consume fresh milk. But this mutation did not occur among the inhabitants of Africa, Asia and South America, which is why lactose deficiency in this part of the world's population reaches the vast majority - up to 90-100%.

With a cold

This product, saturating the body with easily digestible proteins, improves immunity and more effectively fights diseases. A good supportive remedy during a cold is to add juice squeezed from a quarter of a lemon to the drink. Lemon juice will complement the milk drink with vitamin C, which is indispensable in the fight against infectious diseases.
Also, with a cold, a spicy milk drink will be effective, which is prepared from 1 liter of hot milk, 50 g of honey, a pinch of cinnamon, half a teaspoon of turmeric, a few black peppercorns and 1 bay leaf. The mixture must be brought to a boil, cool and drink in small sips three times a day.

For effective fight in pathogenic organisms that caused a cold, you can drink milk with onions boiled in it. For 1 liter of drink, take 5 onions, boil them until they become soft. Cool to 60 ° C, add honey. Take this remedy in small portions - 20 ml at a time, every hour until symptoms are relieved.

When coughing

When coughing, drink milk with honey. To do this, the liquid must be brought to a boil and cooled to 60 ° C, add 50 g of honey per 1 liter of the product. It is important to add honey not to a too hot drink, because under the influence of high temperatures, the fructose of honey partially decomposes, releasing carcinogens. Adding a tablespoon of melted butter will also not be superfluous.
Such a drink can be drunk 250 ml 3 times a day in small sips. Treatment is effective not only during the disease, but also as a preventive measure.

Adding a couple of fresh peppermint leaves to the milk will be effective to soothe the throat and soothe the cough.

With a dry cough, milk decoction with figs is good. To do this, just take 2 figs and add them to milk, bring to a boil, cool. Figs can be eaten with a milk drink. You can also add honey.

Did you know? Not only medicine can be made from milk, but also invisible ink. If you write them on paper, then what is written will be completely invisible. The letters will appear only if you heat the sheet with the secret message with an iron.

With a wet cough, milk mixed in equal parts with mineral water, for example, Borjomi, will be effective. Both ingredients are heated to body temperature, mixed 1 to 1, and drunk on an empty stomach.

With angina

Angina is a serious infectious disease that causes severe sore throat. You can supplement medical treatment with the use of milk with garlic. Such a drink is not very tasty, but garlic has a pronounced antiseptic effect and well suppresses the growth of pathogenic microflora in the throat.

To prepare the medicine, you need to bring 2 cups of milk to a boil and add 2 or 3 chopped garlic cloves to it. To make the taste more pleasant, you can add a couple of teaspoons of honey and a tablespoon of melted butter. Such a tool will not only fight bacteria, but also pleasantly envelop the throat, eliminating pain.

With laryngitis

For the treatment of this disease, which is characterized by inflammation of the larynx and a hoarse voice, all the above milk recipes are suitable. The main thing is to drink warm milk with honey and butter, a drink with figs or with onions and garlic is also suitable.

With laryngitis, dates are effective. In order to prepare a medicine, you need to take 10 dates, pour them with water, bring to a boil and boil over low heat for 30 minutes. 200 ml of milk is then poured into the resulting broth and filtered. The resulting remedy is drunk 1 teaspoon up to 6 times a day.

You can prepare a milky gargle for the throat. To do this, boil 100 g of carrots in 0.5 liters of milk, and then gargle with this infusion three times a day.

With bronchitis

In this disease, hot cow's milk mixed with goat's fat and honey is very effective. To prepare one serving, take a glass of cow's milk (250 ml), 1 tbsp. l. goat fat and 1 tbsp. l. honey.

Milk is brought to a boil and then cooled to 40 ° C, the remaining ingredients are added, mixed. Take the remedy no more than 3 days, 3 times a day. After taking it, you need to wrap yourself in a blanket and warm up.

You can also prepare a similar mixture of butter and soda, which is no less effective in treating bronchitis. For 300 ml of cooled cow's milk, put 20 g of butter, a quarter teaspoon of soda and 1 teaspoon of honey. Everything is mixed and drunk on an empty stomach three times a day for half an hour before meals.

With a hysterical cough with bronchitis, oatmeal milk broth will help to cope. Take 2 liters of milk, bring to a boil, cool to 40 ° C. Add sorted oats to the drink in the amount of a half-liter jar, mix. The resulting mixture is put in a water bath for 2 hours, after which - in the oven for another 1 hour.

The resulting gruel is filtered through a sieve or gauze. Take this remedy on an empty stomach, 30 minutes before meals, at a dosage of 100 ml for an adult and 50 ml for a child.

For chronic cold

If a chronic runny nose is caused by an allergic reaction, then dairy products will not help in any way in its treatment. But if we are talking about an infectious rhinitis that does not go away for a long time, perhaps due to a local decrease in immunity in the nasal passages, then in this case, instillation of the nose with a special milk-onion composition will help to cope with the growing pathogenic microflora.
The composition is prepared as follows: 1 tsp is added to half a glass of boiled and cooled milk. minced onion to the state of gruel. The mixture is stirred and instilled a few drops into each nasal passage.

Terms and conditions of storage of cow's milk

The shelf life of cow's milk depends on its processing and the container in which it will be stored. It is common for this product to adopt all foreign odors and change the taste on this basis. Therefore, glass bottles with a narrow neck are considered the best containers.

It is desirable that the lid be clean, odorless and not plastic, otherwise the product will take over the smell and taste left on the lid. Also important is the place in the refrigerator where there is a bottle or bag of milk - it is better to avoid putting it on the door, as the temperature in this place is unstable, higher than in the refrigerator, so dairy products will spoil faster.
But the main criterion on which the shelf life of the product depends is the degree of its processing.

Did you know? Our ancestors, in the days of the absence of refrigerators, preserved milk in a very original way - they put a frog in a container with a drink! And all because the skin of frogs releases antibacterial substances, which did not allow bacteria to multiply in the container.

Pasteurization and ultra-pasteurization come in 3 levels. Each of them differs in the heating temperature, the duration of the process and the temperature to which the dairy product is cooled after pasteurization. Depending on the degree of heat treatment, the period and storage conditions change.

Therefore, when buying products from the manufacturer, it is necessary to read the storage conditions, which differ from company to company. But be sure: the shorter the shelf life, the more useful substances are preserved in dairy products..

Important! Milk does not like sunlight. The longer it is exposed to light, the shorter the shelf life. Raw milk that has stood on the table for at least 4 hours at room temperature will then be stored in the refrigerator for no more than 10 hours. However, fresh milk begins to sour after 2 hours of being outdoors.

A special method of storage is freezing. This method significantly extends the shelf life of even a fresh product. Yes, in freezer at temperatures below -10 °C and provided that the door is not opened, milk can be stored for up to 3-5 months. If the door is opened and there are temperature fluctuations, then the shelf life is reduced to 2-3 weeks.
And in order to defrost the product and eat it, you just need to move the bottle into refrigerator compartment where the liquid gradually melts.

Compatibility with other products

This "capricious" product can not be combined with all representatives from the gastronomic shelf. By itself, milk is considered a whole food, which means that it is best to consume it separately. But still, some products are allowed to be used together.

Coffee and tea

Tea with milk is a traditional British drink that many Europeans have a weakness for. The combination is good - tea softens the "unpleasant" properties of milk in the form of partial intolerance. In tandem, it turns out a very tasty, aromatic and nutritious drink, which may well replace the first breakfast.
Coffee with milk also "lead" a long-standing friendship. In such a duet, the effect of caffeine is softened. In addition, coffee contributes to the leaching of calcium and vitamins from tissues, and milk makes up for these losses.

Meat and fish

Dairy products may well be combined with animal proteins. But the peculiarity of this drink is such that, getting into the stomach along with other food, the curdled milk substance envelops it, and until it is digested, meat and fish will not begin to be digested, which in the meantime can begin to rot, thereby causing heaviness in the stomach and increased gas production.

Important! It is permissible to combine the use of milk only with neutral products- potatoes, pasta, white bread and cereals.

Bad combination. Together with most vegetables, milk only increases the motor function of the intestines, causing spasms, flatulence, rumbling and even diarrhea.

Fruits and berries

Just as badly combined as vegetables. Useful substances from fruits and berries are almost not absorbed, and fermentation processes are unnecessarily stimulated. But on the other hand, fruits and berries go well with lactic acid products - yoghurts, kefir, fermented baked milk and yogurt.

Cow's milk is an almost indispensable and familiar product in the human diet. Despite the fact that a part of the population has lactose intolerance, the vast majority of people still consume this product with pleasure.

On the one hand, it has a pronounced benefit for the body, and on the other hand, it poses some danger when certain individual qualities are combined. The main thing is to adhere to the measure in everything and consume dairy products moderately and regularly.

Video: the benefits and harms of cow's milk

Sep-16-2016

About milk

What is milk, the benefits and harms of milk for the human body, and does it have any medicinal properties? These questions often arise among those who care about their health and are interested in traditional methods of treatment. And this interest is understandable. Maybe in this article, to some extent, you can get an answer to these questions.

Milk and other products that are made from it are a large and integral part of the human diet in all corners of the earth without exception.

Milk was known and appreciated in Ancient Rome and Greece, Egypt and Asia. It was called the source of life and health, "white blood" and, in terms of its usefulness for the human body, was put on a par with honey, snake venom, fresh fruits and vegetables. Milk has been used to treat a variety of ailments, ranging from diseases of the lungs, stomach and nerves to scurvy, obesity and gout, and even cholera.

According to the Holy Vedas, milk is the only and unique product in the universe, which has a positive effect not only on physical health man, but also on his spiritual perfection!

The very first food of a newborn baby is mother's milk, and only that! But only man - the only one of all mammals (!) Continues to remain so until his death and eat milk not only in early childhood, but throughout his life!

Why do animals, having become adults, not drink milk, but we continue to do so? Why do some people drink milk with great pleasure, while others cannot stand it? What is actually more in milk - benefit or harm to our body?

The benefits of milk

From childhood, our mothers and grandmothers taught us to drink cow's milk, because it is so nutritious and healthy! What does it consist of and what exactly makes it such an indispensable product?

So, the composition of milk:

carbohydrates (lactose)
proteins (casein, albumin and globulin)
vitamins
minerals and mineral acids

It is believed that half a liter of milk contains all the nutrients a person needs for the whole day. All components of milk are well balanced and easily absorbed by our body.

Scientific studies of milk have shown the presence of more than 200 components in it, including 25 types of fatty acids, 20 amino acids, 30 mineral salts and about 20 types of vitamins.

Milk fat serves as a source for energy production in the human body. It has a low melting point (28-35 degrees) and due to this it enters our stomach in liquid form, and therefore is well absorbed. It contains almost all fatty acids, including the most valuable ones - arachidonic, linolenic and linoleic acids, phosphatides, as well as vitamins A, D, E and K. In addition, milk contains a fairly large amount of vitamins we need, such as B1, B2, B6, B12, C and PP.

Milk also contains biologically active elements such as antibiotics and antibodies, hormones and enzymes.

So, what is useful for us milk:

vitamin A is needed for good vision and healthy skin;
Vitamin D helps our bodies absorb phosphorus and calcium and is essential for maintaining healthy bones and teeth.
B vitamins prevent stress and depression, increase efficiency and relieve fatigue, and also fight acne and dandruff;
folic acid contained in milk is indispensable during pregnancy, helps to maintain a healthy complexion and good muscle tone for a long time;
amino acids phenylalanine and tryptophan, which are part of milk, have a sedative and mild hypnotic effect;
The lactose found in milk is less sweet than sucrose. It stimulates our nervous system, improves cerebral circulation and is both a preventive and therapeutic agent for various kinds of cardiovascular diseases. When digested from lactose, lactic acid is formed, which has a bactericidal property, and also improves the absorption of calcium, potassium and phosphorus by the body, which have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system;
the metabolic process helps control cobalt, which is also present in milk;
globulin contained in milk increases immunity and has the ability to successfully fight various infections;
milk reduces the acidity of gastric juice and thus can serve as a remedy for heartburn.

It is best to drink milk in small sips at room temperature or slightly warmed.

When milk is digested in the stomach, fermentation processes take place, if the milk is boiled, then there will be no fermentation, and it will hardly be digested.

When milk is boiled, many active substances are destroyed, in particular vitamin C, albumin and globulin, which significantly reduces its useful properties.

The daily dose of milk for an adult is 250–400 ml.

Harm of milk

The harm of milk in the casein present in its composition. This adhesive substance, enveloping the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines, prevents the normal absorption of nutrients.

Often the feeling that milk improves health is misleading. The harm of milk is that the dairy diet, in fact, is a well-disguised hunger strike. At the same time, milk can cause constipation, which the patient will not immediately guess.

A large number of people have intolerance to one of the main components of milk - lactose. The harm of milk is that its use can cause cramps and bloating, diarrhea and vomiting. Indeed, many people in the body do not have enough lactase enzyme that digests lactose and for them milk is one of the most contraindicated products.

Also, milk is harmful to those who generally have problems with the stomach and intestines. Actually, everyone for himself determines the most favorite foods. Drinking or maybe not drinking milk is a matter of individual preference, but a clear understanding of the benefits and harms of milk is important in order to really enjoy drinking it.

In the course of research, British scientists have identified categories of people who are contraindicated in drinking milk.

Allergy. Milk antigen “A” can cause itching, rashes, and even an asthma attack.
People with lactose deficiency. Even 100 milliliters of this drink immediately cause bloating, colic, and soon loose stools in the body. The reason is the lack of lactose in the body, which is responsible for the processing of milk sugar.
People after 50 years. Most people develop atherosclerosis at an advanced age, and milk only contributes to this, since it contains acid, which plays an important role in the development of the disease. In addition, the body's ability to process milk decreases significantly with age, so after forty years it is better to limit yourself to a glass of drink per day.

Thus, people who do not suffer from any abnormalities can safely drink milk - it will not harm them, except perhaps those extra pounds. But if the body suffers from one of the disorders listed above, then it is better to refuse milk.

Milk for pancreatitis

Milk with pancreatitis is not always possible. For example, with exacerbations of pancreatitis, you should not drink milk, as it exacerbates the exacerbation.

In the chronic course of the disease, it is better to limit the use of milk. It should be noted that in chronic pancreatitis, the production of enzymes by the body is very weak, so the digestion of milk will be difficult. The only option for drinking milk in a chronic disease is to use a low-fat product that is well sterilized (pasteurized). Milk may contain some pathogens that can harm a sick body, which is why experts recommend boiling the product before drinking.

In some patients, milk and dairy products cause persistent allergic reactions; patients categorically do not perceive this product. Older people are also not recommended to include more than one liter of milk in their diet. It must be remembered that milk is a perishable product, it increases the development of fermentation, and it provokes increased pancreatic secretion, and this disrupts the main function of the pancreas.

Before use, milk must be boiled, make sure that it is fresh. Whole milk in pure form doctors do not advise to use. It is better if this product is an addition to food. They can be diluted with a tea drink or daily use with an egg is acceptable (one egg per glass of product).

The best way to consume milk is to cook with it. To do this, use milk with 1% fat content, a product with a higher fat content is diluted with clean water. Soups, cereals, jelly, jelly are prepared on the basis of milk. When preparing casseroles, puddings, cereals, any kind of cereal is used, millet should be avoided. Vegetable dressings and pasta can be added to soups. For the preparation of jelly and jelly, oatmeal is used as the basis.

Goat's milk for pancreatitis is a good alternative to cow's milk. Experts even insist on the use of this particular type. There are much more elements such as proteins, vitamins, minerals in goat's milk than in cow's. The antibacterial enzyme lysozyme promotes faster recovery of the organ, relieves inflammation, and has analgesic properties.

The main advantage of the product is absolute anti-allergenicity. It is also important that the product neutralizes hydrochloric acid more actively, without causing such unpleasant reactions as bloating, belching, heartburn. Of course, you must first consult with your doctor.

milk for diabetes

Milk for diabetes is not only useful, but also necessary! - so considers the majority of doctors of "old school". Although, of course, each case is individual. Only a specialist can accurately answer whether and how much milk can be consumed in diabetes.

After all, diabetics are forced to limit their intake of carbohydrates, which often provoke the release of excessive glucose levels into the blood, so milk will help smooth out this effect.

A diet for diabetes not only can, but should include the intake of goat and cow's milk. Calcium is vital for a diabetic, and it contains a lot of it. The only condition is that it must contain a minimum of fat, this is especially true for the goat product, because it is very fatty. One glass of this drink is equal to one bread unit - 1 XE. It is supposed to use 1-2 XE per day. Therefore, people suffering from this disease can drink a low-fat drink once or twice a day.

You should not drink fresh milk, because it can provoke a sharp increase in blood glucose levels.

Milk for gastritis

The diet shown in the presence of gastritis is quite tough. It involves the complete exclusion from the diet of canned, fried, salty, spicy, smoked and other dishes that irritate the walls of the stomach. But milk for gastritis is not only not prohibited, but for some reason its use is encouraged.

Milk contains:

calcium
vitamins E, A and group B
easily digestible proteins

It is these substances, and especially easily digestible proteins, that the damaged gastric mucosa needs most of all, because it is proteins or proteins that are the building material of the whole organism.

Therefore, with gastritis, you can drink milk, but still you need to do this with caution and following some simple rules:

With gastritis with high acidity, it is very important to avoid foods that will further stimulate the production of hydrochloric acid. Accordingly, in such cases it is better to give preference to good full-fat milk.
Patients with low acidity, on the contrary, should stop drinking whole milk. It is better to add it in small amounts to tea or prepare various cereals based on it, which can become an indispensable tool in the fight against stomach diseases.

Moreover, milk can not only contribute to the recovery of the patient, but also protect him from severe pain and the progression of the disease, since, getting into the stomach, it forms a thin protective film on the walls of the stomach. It is this film that helps protect vulnerable mucous membranes from the aggressive effects of food thrown back into the stomach, which is observed with reflux.

Thus, whether milk is possible with gastritis and how best to use it should always be decided by the doctor.

Milk for cough

For various colds, bronchitis, respiratory diseases that cause coughing, ordinary milk is a very effective traditional medicine. It softens the throat, helps to liquefy sputum and regenerate dry reflex exhalations into wet ones. Cough milk is recommended to use not only in its pure form. Various additives are often used, sometimes even the most unexpected ones.

How to treat a cough with milk?

Traditional medicine makes it possible to use recipes, the ingredients for which are quite diverse. However, all experts agree on one thing - it is recommended to start treating cough with milk immediately after the first signs of a symptom appear. The shown efficiency will allow you to recover faster and prevent the disease from developing into a chronic stage, which is much more difficult to get rid of.

Milk and honey:

This is the most popular cough remedy, it helps to get rid of nocturnal attacks literally on the first day. Add a teaspoon of honey to a glass of hot milk - this "cocktail" already has powerful medicinal properties. But traditional healers allow adding not only honey to milk, but also a pinch of ordinary drinking soda or ¼ teaspoon of vanilla / cinnamon, nutmeg with 1 bay leaf and 2 black peppercorns. Moreover, if the last complex of components is added to milk with honey, then such a remedy will need to be heated to a boil, cooled slightly and after that used as a medicine. The recommended dose for any product based on a milk-honey mixture is 2 glasses per day, drink hot in small sips.

Milk and banana:

A strange recipe, but quite effective if the first signs of a cough were noticed - literally the first cough should be the reason for the use of a delicious medicine. To prepare it, you need to take 300 ml of milk, 1 banana, 2 tablespoons of instant cocoa and 1 teaspoon of honey. Everything is mixed (the banana must first be crushed in a blender) and drunk warm in small sips. It is advisable to drink such a cocktail at night.

Milk and Garlic:

Before giving preference to this remedy, you need to know that the taste of this medicine will be very unpleasant, but the effect is excellent and fast. It is very simple to prepare the remedy - for 1 liter of milk you need to take 1 head of garlic (cut the cloves into slices) and simmer over low heat until the garlic is completely soft. Then the remedy is removed from the fire, filtered and taken 2 tablespoons every 60 minutes (if the cough is treated in a child, then the dosage will be 1 tablespoon every 60 minutes). To improve the taste of the product, you can add a little honey to it.

Milk for heartburn

Does milk help with heartburn?

As mentioned earlier, milk contains a sufficient amount of important chemical elements. First up is calcium. In addition to this, proteins and fats also contribute to the fight against diseases of the digestive system. How does this composition help in the fight against heartburn?

Metals react well with hydrochloric acid, disabling her.
Milk also helps with heartburn because it is alkaline, which also inactivates excess HCL.
Almost every protein food is good for heartburn. Proteins are natural antacids that reduce the level of acid in the stomach. Proteins contained in milk are another mechanism in the fight against burning pain behind the sternum.

In addition, if a person is allergic to the use of almost all drugs for heartburn, milk is one of those foods that will help in this case.

But here it is necessary to be careful in doses. Too much lactose in milk can cause gas to build up in the stomach, resulting in pain as bad as heartburn itself.

Milk in weight loss diets

First of all, it should be noted that this product is the basis of a large number of various diets, so its consumption during weight loss is sometimes not only acceptable, but also indicated.

Weight loss with milk differs significantly from strict diets and starvation, primarily in that this product contributes to the rapid and effective replenishment of the body's missing nutrients. The effect of losing weight on milk is due to the improvement in the functioning of the digestive organs and, as a result, the acceleration of metabolism.

To lose weight on milk, you need to consume as much dairy and sour-milk products as possible. At the same time, according to reviews of milk for weight loss, enter these products into the diet.

Women have side effects of rapid weight loss, including a decrease in bone mineral density. Based on the fact that in modern world every fifth woman suffers from osteoporosis, drinking milk becomes even more beneficial. After all, milk provides the body not only with proteins, but also with calcium, both of which help maintain the mineral density of your bones.

Also as effective remedy for weight loss, milk can be used during menopause in women, a study published in 2008 in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association determined. According to the results of which, women who additionally received protein, including in the form of milk, lost less muscle mass and spent more fat reserves.