Remember the slogan “Milk, it does a body good?” That phrase wasn’t just to boost sales, but actually holds truth. Milk is full of nutrients that do wonders for the body.
‘Dem bones
Dairy foods are an excellent source of nutrients that help protect bones, including calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, protein and vitamin D. By enjoying three servings of low-fat or fat-free milk, yogurt or cheese every day as part of an overall healthy diet, people, especially children and adolescents in their peak bone-building years, can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis later in life.
Get low
Multiple studies show that people who consume more calcium and dairy foods weigh less and/or have less body fat than those who consume little or no dairy.
Reduce the pressure
Research shows the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan, that includes two to three servings of dairy foods and eight to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables, may help lower blood pressure. The DASH diet is rich in calcium, potassium and magnesium all found in dairy foods.
No excuse
Those with lactose intolerance don’t have to miss out on the health benefits of dairy foods. Different people can handle different amounts of lactose, and there’s a solution to meet most needs. For example, aged cheeses are naturally lower in lactose and many yogurts contain live and active cultures, which help digest lactose.
Source: www.nationaldairycouncil.org.
