Milk contains important nutrients that the body needs. Not only is it loaded with protein, but it also contains calcium and added vitamin D. Milk even has potassium, which the body needs to function. Plus, milk and other dairy products have been shown to combat disease. And some milk is fortified with omega-3, which is great for the heart.
Here’s the thing: Milk is something we often consumed as kids, but many adults forget all about it. Check out these seven reasons why milk truly does a body good.
1. Your body needs calcium, which can be found in milk.
Milk is loaded with calcium, which is the mineral that is most abundant in our bodies. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the body needs calcium for vascular contraction and vasodilation, muscle and nerve function, and even for intracellular signaling and hormone functions.
In addition, calcium is needed for healthy bones. In fact, the NIH says that 99 percent of the calcium found in the body is stored in our bones and teeth. Calcium helps to both build and repair bones. Further, we need it after menopause when bones break down more than they form. This helps to decrease the risk of osteoporosis.
2. Milk is packed with potassium.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a cup of 1 percent milk contains 366 milligrams of potassium. The body needs this electrolyte for many functions.
So just why do we need potassium? For starters, potassium builds proteins and muscle. In addition, the heart needs it to control electrical activity. Plus, potassium is needed both to use and break down carbs, grow, and control the body’s acid-base balance.
Not getting enough potassium increases the risk for hypokalemia, which causes muscles to become weak and the heart to malfunction. Plus, blood pressure may rise.
3. Milk is loaded with protein.
According to Eating Well, just one cup of milk can give you 16 percent of the protein you need in a day. Protein is considered the building block of life, making them essential to health.
The real question is why do we need protein? According to Authority Nutrition, the body uses proteins to make four components: muscles, tendons, organs and skin. Plus, the body uses proteins for other functions, including enzymes, hormones, neurotransmitters and even molecules.
Add that to the fact that animal proteins are special in an important way. They are said to provide all of the essential amino acids that the human body needs. Some of these essential acids aren’t made by the body, which means that we need to get them through foods -- like dairy products.
Interestingly, chocolate milk is said to be especially good for the body. This is why athletes often drink chocolate milk after a tough workout. According to Eating Well, chocolate milk is balanced in that it is made up of a good mix of both the protein and carbs needed to recharge the body after a tough exercise session.
So go ahead, drink chocolate milk. It’s definitely tasty.
4. Milk may be good for blood pressure.
High blood pressure is common in America. In fact, the American Heart Association says that one in three American adults has high blood pressure. This equates to 77.9 million Americans. Left untreated, high blood pressure can be deadly.
The good news is that milk may help. Many experts say that milk can be beneficial when it comes to controlling blood pressure. According to Dairy Nutrition, calcium, magnesium and potassium may play a role. Plus, the bioactive peptides found in milk products may play a role in why milk helps to regulate blood pressure.
5. Milk might make you thinner.
Experts say that dairy products and weighing less may be linked. This means that milk might actually make you thinner.
According to Eating Well, researchers have linked dairy to weighing less. Those who consume more dairy products are said to have lower body fat percentages. Plus, milk is said to add satiety, likely because of its high protein content. One study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that those who drank skim milk were more satisfied and consumed less food in the following meal than those who drank fruit juice.
6. Milk is fortified with vitamin D, which isn’t found in many foods.
While milk doesn’t naturally contain much vitamin D, it is usually added to milk. This can be a good thing. You see, the body needs vitamin D.
According to the NIH, vitamin D isn’t found in many foods. In fact, fortified foods are said to provide most of the vitamin D that Americans get. Most milk in American contains 100 IU per cup. However, milk is somewhat unique in this respect. In fact, the NIH says that dairy products like cheese and ice cream are not usually fortified.
And that’s not all. Vitamin D and calcium are a team. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps the body to absorb calcium, which is found in milk. Plus, vitamin D is needed for bones to both grow and heal. Without enough of it, bones become weak. The combination of both calcium and vitamin D can help prevent osteoporosis.
7. Milk may help to delay the onset of osteoarthritis.
According to Medical News Today, a study shows that one glass of milk a day may have benefits when it comes to osteoarthritis of the knee. The study, published in the American College of Rheumatology’s journal Arthritis Care & Research, found that milk may slow the rate at which the disease progresses.