Milk and dairy foods for good health

Milk is the product obtained by simple or multiple milking of mammals that are kept for the purpose of milk production.

While milk products are made entirely from milk. In certain cases, additives can be used during the manufacture. Milk and many of the products made from it are staples in the diet of people throughout the world.

Although fluid whole cow; milk is a liquid food (87% water), it contains an average of 13% total solids and 9% solids-non-fat, an amount comparable to the solids content of many other foods.

More than 100 different components have been identified in cow’s milk. Important nutritional contributions of milk and milk products are calcium, protein, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin B12, riboflavin, niacin and phosphorus.  Milk can also make a contribution to dietary vitamin D intake, especially when fortified.

An ever increasing variety of milk and other dairy products is available to meet the taste, nutrition, health and convenience demands of consumers. Milk products include cream, butter cheese, casein, yoghurt, clabber, gelato, ice cream and others.
Dairy products of varied fat content, of low or reduced lactose content, fortified with nutrients such as vitamin A, D and calcium, and processed to improve keeping quality are available.

The fat content in different milk products varies greatly, raging from a few percent in yoghurt to 80% in butter. It is suggested to eat moderate amounts of these foods and choose lower fat alternatives.

Dairy fats contain a range of lipids that may have health-promoting properties including omega-3 LS-PUFA, gangliosides, sphingolipids, etc.
Milk and dairy foods for good health