Milk is the first food for humans and is considered the only food in nature that is rich in nutrients that the body needs; It provides many nutrients necessary for the growth and maintenance of the human body, and in a quantity proportional to each other.
The human body needs milk and its ingredients in all stages of life, as it is important and essential for all ages and groups.
Sources of milk:
Milk can be obtained from several different sources. For example: goats, sheep, buffalo and camels, although cow milk is the most popular.
Whatever the source of the milk, it is very similar in ingredients, but the proportions of nutrients vary slightly to one source.
Milk types:
Powdered milk:
Fresh milk is dried by removing water from it through manufacturing processes while maintaining most of the nutrients contained in fresh milk in the same proportions. Some vitamins may be added to powdered milk and essential minerals such as vitamin D.
Powdered milk (or powder) is available as whole milk powder that lasts 6-9 months, or is skimmed that lasts for about two years. After opening the can, the powdered milk should be stored in a cool, dry place, and protected from moisture and sunlight.
Long-term milk:
Fresh milk is subjected to a high temperature to sterilize it and then packed in special packages, and the shelf life of this type of milk can reach 6 months before opening outside the refrigerator, but after opening the package must be placed in the refrigerator and used during a period not exceeding a week.
Fresh milk:
After milking the milk, collecting it with a jacket, then storing it cooled, and it must be kept from the time of its production until its expiration date, which does not exceed a week, it is quick to corrupt.
Sweetened Condensed Milk:
Large amounts of sugar are added to fresh pasteurized milk to intensify its consistency, which is rich in fat or milk cream, and is not considered a useful milk, and it is not considered a milk substitute; It contains a high amount of sugar and calories, this type is used in the preparation of sweets, and stored in a cool dry place, and lasts for 12 months.
Milk-derived products:
Yogurt, yogurt and white hard cheeses:
They are products made from fresh milk, so they are identical to the composition of milk. They contain the same nutrients, but they differ in the amount of yeasts and the amount of water.
If these products contain flavors such as strawberry or chocolate flavor, the caloric ratio increases only without changing the rest of the ingredients, provided that these additives are within the permissible proportions.
Cream Cheese, Cream, Butter, Cream, Labneh, and Ice Cream:
Other milk products are considered fat substitutes, and they are made from milk fat with a small amount of liquid. They are not a substitute for milk and do not replace it.
Milk health benefits:
Building and maintaining bones and teeth.
Prevention of heart disease.
Maintains to keep blood pressure normal.
Protection from some types of cancer, such as colon cancer.
Reducing the risk of diabetes.
Safety and improvement of the nervous system performance.
Aid to grow.
Improve digestion.
Strengthening immunity.
Safety of consideration.
Safety and maintenance of skin, hair and thin films.
Dehydration treatment.
Energy supply to the body.
Categories that need more milk:
Newborns, and it is preferable to rely on breast milk or infant formula.
The elderly, where the health of the skin and kidneys changes, which weakens its ability to manufacture vitamin D and convert it into an active or active formula.
Pregnant and lactating women; As they need more vitamins, including vitamin D, which the child needs to absorb calcium and bone formation.
Fractures and after operations.
Factors affecting milk utilization:
Drinking caffeinated drinks and foods, such as soft drinks, tea, coffee, and chocolate, reduce calcium absorption.
Not to take the vitamin C found in fruits such as citrus fruits; It helps absorb calcium from the milk.
Author: Kea Heng