Healthy Reasons Why We Should Drink Milk

Milk is an important part of our diet. We begin drinking it when we are young, but our intake decreases as we get older. Some people shy away from it because they fear that it will add too much fat to their diet. Others leave it out because they believe that they no longer need it. You are never too old to reap the rewards of drinking milk.The health benefits of milk include increased bone strength, smoother skin, stronger immune system, prevention of illnesses such as hypertension, dental decay, dehydration, respiratory problems, obesity, osteoporosis and even some forms of cancer. The beneficial health nutrients obtained from milk are essential for the human body and help prevent a number of chronic ailments.



                          HEALTH BENEFITS OF MILK

STRONG BONE:
Milk is rich in calcium, which is essential for growth and the proper development of strong bone structure. Bone disorders such as osteoporosis can be prevented with a significant daily intake of milk. Children deprived of cow’s milk have an increased chance of suffering from bone fractures when injured, and their healing time will be significantly higher if they don’t have a steady stream of calcium to aid in the regrowth of bone matter.

HEALTHY TEETH:
Milk is the best source for calcium, and that’s exactly what your teeth need. In addition, milk helps prevent cavities and tooth decay. The calcium can only be absorbed by your body when vitamin D is around, so make sure that the milk you drink is fortified with vitamin D.

MUSCLE BUILDING:
Cow's milk is designed to help baby cow's grow fast, which is why it makes sense that humans who drink milk intended for baby cows can also bulk up quickly. Cow's milk is a rich source of high-quality protein (containing all of the essential amino acids), and whole milk is also a rich source of energy in the form of saturated fat, which can prevent muscle mass being used for energy.Maintaining a healthy amount of muscle is important for supporting metabolism and contributing to weight loss and weight maintenance, and sufficient dietary protein is needed to preserve or increase lean muscle mass. Protein found in dairy can support muscle growth and repair. According to Today's Dietitian, a recent analysis of over 20 clinical trials suggested that an increased milk intake can boost muscle mass and strength during resistance exercise in both younger and older adults.Cow's milk does not seem to significantly help with weight loss. One recent analysis of studies found that increased consumption of cow's milk in the short-term and without calorie restriction had no benefit for weight loss, with only modest benefits seen in long-term studies with energy restriction.

HEALTHY HEART:
 Although most of the focus of calcium is on bones, it has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and the chances of strokes. Two long-term studies in Japan have positively shown a correlation between daily calcium intake and a reduction in stroke, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, grab some milk for a healthier heart! Furthermore, the magnesium and potassium content in milk both act as vasodilators, which reduces blood pressure, increases blood flow to vital organs, and reduces the stress on the heart and cardiovascular system. The peptides found in milk are also believed to inhibit the creation of ACEs, (angiotensin-converting enzymes), which increase blood pressure.

GLOWING SKIN:
Cleopatra took milk baths to help her skin stay soft, supple and glowing. You can do the same, or you can drink a few glasses of whole milk each day to get its benefits. Milk has several nutrients which help skin look its best. It has lactic acid which can act as an exfoliant and enzymes to help smooth skin. It also has amino acids that help keep skin moisturized. Milk can help prevent damage from environmental toxins because it has antioxidants. However, if you have a sensitivity to milk or dairy products, milk can actually aggravate your skin.


PRECAUTIONS
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which a person lacks the enzyme to break down the sugar found in milk for proper digestion. Those with lactose intolerance may experience bloating, flatulence or diarrhea when consuming milk and milk products. The negative effects of lactose intolerance on the gastrointestinal system may compromise absorption of nutrients from other foods. Drinking lactose-free milk, which has added enzymes to help with lactose digestion, or taking a lactase supplement when consuming milk may ease or eliminate these symptoms.Milk allergy or hypersensitivity is different from lactose intolerance and refers to an abnormal immunologic reaction in which the body's immune system produces an allergic antibody, called immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibody. A cow's milk allergy can cause symptoms such as wheezing, diarrhea and vomiting, as well as asthma, eczema (an itchy rash), rhinitis (inflammation in the nose), and gastrointestinal distress, as well as bleeding, pneumonia, and even anaphylaxis (a potentially fatal hypersensitivity reaction).
Consuming too much potassium or phosphorus, both of which are high in milk, can be harmful for those whose kidneys are not fully functional. If the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium or phosphorus from the blood, it could be fatal.
Consuming an excess amount of calcium is also dangerous. Most people are unlikely to exceed calcium intake limits with food alone, however ingesting an excess amount of calcium can cause unwanted side effects such as constipation, kidney stones or kidney failure and may be a risk when taking calcium supplements.
Excess calcium may also increase the risk of undesirable calcium deposition in the arteries, raising the risk of heart disease, especially when magnesium intake is low. The tolerable upper intake level of calcium is 2.5 grams per day for healthy individuals over the age of 1 year.