We’ve seen the rise of just about every milk alternative from soy to coconut and almond, and the result is that milk sales have dropped by £240 million in just 2 years. But milk is finally making a well-deserved comeback.
It has been feared that full-fat milk can cause heart disease and lead to other chronic diseases. However, recent research published in the European Journal of Epidemiology says there is no link at all.
Milk is extremely nutritious and one of the richest sources of calcium, an essential nutrient we need for a balanced diet.
Although calcium is available in other foods including veggies like broccoli and kale it’s richest in milk. Where we would need on average, five servings of veggies to satiate our daily requirements for calcium, we’d only need three servings of dairy. The presence of the nutrient is why dieticians continue to recommend dairy.
Isobel Skypala, head of dietetics at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London explains, ‘There is some confusion over whether milk is bad for you. Some people may decide not to drink it through choice – like being vegetarian – but I would not advise someone to eliminate it from their diet unless there is a valid reason, like a diagnosed allergy.’ (Daily Mail).
Calcium is essential in preventing osteoporosis for later life, a common condition which causes bones to become brittle and fragile, affecting 1 out of 3 women and 1 out of 6 men.
Other Ways To Prevent Osteoporosis
- Don’t smoke – smoking accelerates the rate of bone loss.
- Do resistance exercises at the gym – weight training strengthens bones as well as muscles.
- Get enough vitamin D – Vitamin D improves the ability to absorb calcium and aids general bone health.
- Ensure you’re getting enough Protein – Protein helps bone strength. The daily requirement is 0.8 grams of protein per kg of body weight.
The Debate Continues…
The other side of the argument concerns intolerance to lactose.
An intolerance to lactose is incredibly common in India, China and Eastern Europe. This intolerance is defined as not possessing enough lactase in the small intestines to break down lactose into glucose and galactose. Undigested lactose can cause diarrhoea, flatulence and bloating.
However, this figure is significantly lower Western Europe due to the development of a resistance to lactose through a genetic mutation, meaning the majority of us can drink milk and reap its nutritious benefits without experiencing these symptoms, good news!
Milk has experienced a resurgence recently following the reiteration of the importance of calcium by many dietitians.
Real Milk No Junk
Sainsbury’s have recently stocked an all-natural milk drink, ‘Bam’ containing no refined sugars, artificial sugars, colours of flavours in 90 superstores nationwide. This shows milk is far from forgotten and rightly so.
The drink is blended with fruit or cocoa and sweetened with honey and approved by the Vegetarian Society and is certified organic by the Social Association.
Melanie Cherchian, Category Manager for dairy at Sainsbury’s welcomes the addition, “We are pleased to be welcoming Bam to our shelves in the new healthy singles, grab and go bay. As these all natural milk drinks contain no refined sugar, artificial flavours, colourings or preservatives, they reflect our customers growing interested in healthier, more convenient, nutritious drinks.”
For more about Bam visit their website: https://www.bam.life/
As one of richest sources of calcium, a great source of protein and other vitamins including the hard to come by B2 and B12, it’s about time milk stopped getting such a bad rep!
