Be it a protein shake, a simple glass of warm milk, or a low fat yoghurt, milk is and will continue to remain one of the healthiest food sources available. In fact, it is one of the most widely used food sources. Dairy nutrition forms an important part of our diet, considering the fact that there are 6 billion consumers of milk and milk products. India is the largest producer and consumer of milk. Milk is generally known for its high content of calcium, but it is a treasure of many other vital nutrients that can provide you endless health benefits. It is also a wonderful beauty aid. Milk plays an important role in the overall nutrition and health.
When we talk about milk, we usually refer to the milk extracted from the mammary glands of mammals during or soon after pregnancy. This milk is used to feed their babies as it contains colostrum that carries the mother’s antibodies to the baby, thus reducing the risk of many diseases in the baby. Apart from this, cow’s milk is most widely consumed by humans. The milk of other animals such as buffaloes, goats, llamas, camels, reindeers, sheep and water buffaloes is also consumed by people around the world.
Different varieties of milk are available. Unpasteurized milk is referred to as raw milk and is available in natural food stores. Cow’s milk is known as whole milk and it contains 3.5% milk fat. Low fat milk has a fat content of 1% to 2%. Non-fat milk is also called skimmed milk and it contains less than 0.5% fat. Buttermilk is the milk left behind after butter has been churned. Milk is used to make several milk products such as ghee, cheese, paneer, yoghurt and butter.
Milk is also obtained from plant sources such as almond milk, rice milk, soy milk and coconut milk. These milks are rich in Vitamins A and D. Though plant-based milk is not as nutritious as animal milk, it is a great option for those who are allergic to animal milk.
Milk benefits the body as a whole and is mostly known for improving the calcium levels. It promotes bone growth in children, while also maintaining the bone strength in adults. Vitamin D is required for the body to absorb calcium. So if you have vitamin D deficiency, it is suggested to drink fortified milk which contains extra vitamins.
Milk is a great appetizer and a healthy snack. Add a glass of milk to your dinner or drink it with a fruit. Women who drink skimmed or low fat milk lose more weight easily.
At the end of the day, a glass of lukewarm milk helps in reducing stress and relaxing the nerves. It boosts the energy and reduces the symptoms of PMS.
Milk helps you build muscles. When you work hard or exercise, milk helps you recover that lost energy and repairs the muscles.
We all know that milk is good for our health and bone formation. But it has been used as a beauty aid for centuries. The Queen of Egypt, Cleopatra, attributed her smooth skin and beauty to a secret ingredient and that is milk. Thus, milk plays an important role in maintaining the beauty of your skin and keeping skin problems at bay. Its various benefits for the skin are as follows.
Milk is great for improving the complexion. All you need to do is apply raw milk all over your face and neck and leave it for 10 minutes. Rinse off with fresh water. This will make your skin fairer and softer within minutes. You can also prepare a face pack by mixing 2 tablespoons of milk, 1 tablespoon honey and 1 tablespoon lemon juice. Apply this on clean skin and allow it to dry for ten minutes. This face pack acts as a mild bleach for your skin.
Raw milk is an excellent cleanser. You can dip a cotton ball in raw milk and wipe your face with it. Rinse off your face with fresh water after 5 minutes. Doing this daily will provide you with a squeaky clean skin from the inside out, besides making it fair and supple. You can also make a cleanser by blending 2 slices of papaya with milk. Apply this mixture all over your face and neck and wash off with cold water after some time. This will make your face clean, fresh and fair.
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