Every year on 1st June, World Milk Day is observed globally and this year will mark the 21st anniversary of celebrating this day. It was first established by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations in 2001. The main aim of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of the dairy sector and the activities related to it. It also highlights the benefits of milk and other dairy products.
The official website of World Milk Day states “This year, our theme will focus on Sustainability in the dairy sector with messages around the environment, nutrition and socio-economics. In doing so we will reintroduce dairy farming to the world”. Furthermore, it mentions, “We encourage you to talk about the important contributions of the dairy sector to:
- Good food, health, and nutrition
- Farmers caring responsibly for their communities, the land, and their animals
- Sustainability practices in the dairy sector
- How dairy contributes to economic development and livelihoods”
Benefits of Milk
Milk is highly nutritious and is a part of the daily diet in many households. Right from when a kid is born, they are fed with mother’s for the first 6 months, as it is loaded with all the essential nutrients and helps the baby fight infections and allergies. Gradually as one grows up, their milk requirements are increased and they switch to consuming cow/buffalo’s milk. Here are some reasons why consumption of milk is important:
- Milk is loaded with nutrients
Nutrients in milk including- calcium, protein, calories, magnesium, riboflavin, vitamin B12, etc. FAO states, “A 250 ml GLASS of whole milk from cows CAN PROVIDE a 5-6-year-old child with 48% of protein requirements, 9% of calories and key micronutrients.” - Maintains bone health
Milk has been long associated with strong and healthy bones. An essential nutrient Calcium found in milk is beneficial and including it in your daily diet will help lessen the risk of bone diseases like osteoporosis and reduce the risk of fractures. It also promotes the development of bones in kids. - Stronger Teeth
Apart from bone health, calcium is also important for stronger teeth. Also, lactose also helps prevent cavity and tooth decay. - Protein Rich
Casein and whey are found in milk, which is level proteins. Just one glass of milk contains almost 8 gms of protein. Cow’s milk is a good source of quality protein and contains all the necessary amino acids. Protein is essential for muscle mass and strength.
Other benefits:
- According to research published on the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) website, drinking milk can reduce the risk of ischemic heart disease and ischemic stroke (stroke due to the formation of blood clots).
- Milk and dairy products contain Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), which has anti-obesity properties that reduce weight and help in controlling body weight.
- The calcium, magnesium, and peptides present in milk balance glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in the body. The fatty acids present in dairy can reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes.
- Vitamin B1 is found in high amounts in milk which is beneficial for brain health and DNA. Also, riboflavin is found in plenty in milk, which works to maintain energy in the body.
- Milk has an antacid effect which helps in relieving stomach-related problems like indigestion and acidity.
- Milk contains the amino acids tryptophan and melatonin, which can help inducing sleep.
- Minerals such as calcium, magnesium, and potassium present in it play an important role in reducing the risk of hypertension.
- High-quality protein amino acids are found in milk. Many neurotransmitters in our brain are made up of amino acids that affect brain functioning and mental health. Therefore, the proteins present in milk can reduce stress, depression, and anxiety-related disorders to a great extent.
- Milk also nourishes our skin in a natural way. Not just its consumption, but the external application of milk provides moisture to the skin.
Therefore, milk is an essential part of one’s daily diet. And not just milk, but milk products like paneer, butter, ghee, cheese, chena, etc. are considered to be healthy. However, some people, unfortunately, are lactose intolerant and cannot enjoy the benefits of cow/buffalo milk. But, they can look for alternatives like almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, etc. consult your dietitian to know more about how you can incorporate milk into your daily diet.
