Dairy products: harm and benefit, effects on the body, contraindications

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Milk is the most useful product that people have known since childhood. They heard about its beneficial properties from their mothers, grandmothers, educators, school teachers, and even from TV screens from cartoon characters. What is the harm and benefit of dairy products? And why is there so much controversy around this product now?

Main properties and composition

To determine the harm and benefit of dairy products for humans, it is necessary to study what milk consists of and what properties it has. This product contains:

• Plenty of proteins, fats. The first contain amino acids, without which the human body cannot exist. Also, the proteins found in milk are easier to digest than those found in meat.
• Milk fat is necessary for the formation of the immune system. It aids in the synthesis of hormones, and the cholesterol found in saturated fat contributes to the normal functioning of the intestines and liver.
• In dairy products ina large number are s alts of iodine, phosphorus, potassium, iron and calcium. The last of which promotes the growth and strengthening of bones.

Special attention should be paid to fermented milk products, as their composition and properties differ from regular milk:

• Such products are quickly absorbed by the body. For example, kefir is digested 3 times faster than milk.
• Lactic acid, which is part of their composition, stops the spread of pathogens. Most often, a large number of harmful bacteria in the intestines die when an acidic environment appears.
• The composition of fermented milk products includes a large number of trace elements. And the concentration of various acids, which are so necessary for the human body, is 11 times greater than in milk.

Having studied their composition and properties, we can conclude that the harm and benefits of dairy products have not been fully determined. To do this, it is necessary to consider their positive and negative properties.

Benefits of drinking milk

Currently, more and more disputes arise between nutritionists about the benefits and harms of dairy products for the human body. Some are sure that such products are poorly absorbed and broken down by the body. Others argue that it is the most important food after breast milk.

Benefits from consistent dairy consumption:

• Calcium, which is part of milk, helps to strengthen bones, the nail plate andhair. It is especially important to replenish the balance of this element for children and the elderly, whose bones become fragile every year.
• It is believed that with the help of milk you can lose weight. Since this product saturates the body well and does not cause hunger.
• Reduce exposure to toxic and radioactive substances, and milk has bactericidal properties.
• Used for disease prevention. Milk reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Everyone is well aware that fermented milk products contribute to the normalization of digestion. For example, kefir is perfectly used in the treatment of constipation and poisoning. For this reason, fermented milk products are great for those who want to lose weight.

Harm milk and dairy products

However, not everything is so simple, the benefits and harms of dairy products for he alth have not yet been proven, and basic research on this subject is just beginning. But already now it can be argued that:

• Not all calcium in milk remains in the human body. The composition of the product includes a substance that is an oxidizing agent, so part of the calcium goes to neutralize the element. There are times when calcium in the body is also used.
• Lactose, getting into the body, is broken down into glucose and galactose. The first element is perfectly absorbed by the human body and used by it as an energy source. But the second component is not displayed, but settles injoints. This can cause arthritis and cellulite.
• Lovers of natural products when buying milk should ask the seller about the conditions of keeping cows. Since such milk can become a source of infection with dangerous diseases.

Drinking milk in large quantities will not bring as many benefits as people were told in childhood. However, its moderate intake will provide the body with some beneficial vitamins and elements.

Contraindications

There are cases in which the consumption of dairy products is dangerous to he alth. Among them:

• intolerance to milk components;
• exacerbation of chronic diseases of the intestinal tract;
• before surgery;
• for liver diseases;
• for kidney problems.

But fermented milk products should be abandoned:

• to little children;
• people suffering from gastritis with high acidity;
• hepatitis sufferers.

When taking milk, be sure to take into account its contraindications.

Contradictions about the fat content of the product

Even in the early 70s, there were opponents of milk because of its fat content. They were women and girls who were on a low-fat diet. At present, the boom of this food system has passed. Now people have become really interested in the benefits and harms of low-fat dairy products. It was at that time on the shelvesfor the first time there were yogurts, cottage cheese and cheese with a zero percent fat content. And only now, scientists have published information that the beneficial substances (vitamins A, D, E and calcium) that are in milk are not absorbed if the fat content of the product is less than one percent. In addition, along with fat, dairy products lose their natural taste and acquire a chemical one. To restore the taste, food additives and flavorings, which in most cases contain sugar, began to be added to such products.

Therefore, the benefits and harms of low-fat dairy products will depend on what opinion the person holds.

Lactose Opponents

In today's world it is very popular to discuss milk intolerance. Therefore, the harm and benefits of dairy products remain a big question. People believe that this particular drink causes them symptoms such as bloating, indigestion, gas, irritable bowel syndrome and skin rashes. In most cases, a person unreasonably attributes these sensations to the use of dairy products, but in fact there is no medical evidence for this. People are sure that every fifth person living on the planet suffers from milk intolerance. However, official statistics claim that this is only 5% of the population.

This intolerance occurs only in those whose body does not produce enough lactase enzyme, which helps to digest lactose or milk sugar. In an unsplit form, it remains in the digestive system. This isprovides breeding ground for harmful bacteria that cause diarrhea, flatulence and colic.

Scientists conducted a study of 10 million people who completely refused dairy products. And they came to the conclusion that 53% of them did not go to the doctors with their symptoms, but independently decided that milk was the cause of the ailments. So giving up dairy products, the benefits and harms of which for them were obvious, is not the only right decision.

Controversy about the benefits and harms of casein

Currently there is a whole movement that is against the use of casein (milk protein). This is due to the fact that some people are not able to digest it. Like gluten, it forms clots in the intestines, which inhibits the digestion of food. There are two types of casein found in milk (A1 and A2). The first type is found exclusively in cow's milk and is the one that causes digestive problems. But the other type is found in human, goat, sheep and is much easier to digest. Therefore, some people freely consume goat and sheep milk products, but they cannot tolerate cow milk.

Experts note that the harm and benefits of dairy products directly depend on the origin of the drink. So are people sure that the cow whose milk they are going to drink was grazed in the meadow, and did not stand in the corral and ate compound feed with chemical additives. After all, some drugs that are given to livestock are much more dangerous than casein.

In addition, milk is actively involved inbuilding muscle and burning body fat. And all this thanks to the same casein. It enters the body, and because of its very slow breakdown, there is a constant need for amino acids, which the body uses to repair and maintain muscles. Therefore, the stronger the training, the more amino acids the body requires. Of course, the benefits and harms of dairy products for weight loss are controversial, but there is no doubt that milk is the best way to restore the body after physical exertion.

What is thermostatic dairy

Thermostatic is a way of producing dairy products, in which raw materials are immediately poured into consumer containers (glasses, bottles, packages) at the production site. Then ferments are added there and placed in special chambers with a certain temperature for further fermentation. In the same packaging, the goods reach consumers. The quality of the obtained products is quite high: the consistency is uniform, the clot is dense and not broken. But the benefits and harms of thermostatic dairy products have yet to be determined.

Scientists have determined that the new production method retains all the beneficial properties of milk. The protein of thermostatic kefir, yogurt, sour cream is digested 30% faster than whole protein. These products are recommended for children from the age of seven months.

The benefits of fermented milk products and their types

Many experts agree that fermented milk products are easier for humans to digest than whole milk. In addition, the daily use of kefir,ayran, curdled milk helps to improve the functioning of the intestines, liver and kidneys. With fermented milk products, you can lose weight and get in shape.

Each product from this group has its own indescribable taste and a certain effect on the human body. So:

• Kefir improves bowel function, mental state and sleep.
• Cheese is a storehouse of vitamins, promotes the rapid healing of broken bones.
• What are the benefits and harms of a dairy curd product? It strengthens cartilage tissue and increases regeneration. To prevent harm, use the product in moderation.
• Ryazhenka quenches thirst, stimulates appetite, improves the functioning of the digestive system.
• Yogurt improves digestive processes, normalizes the functioning of the nervous system and restores hormonal functions.
• Sour cream improves appetite, has a positive effect on the hormonal system.
• Ayran quenches thirst, strengthens the immune and nervous systems.

In addition to these popular types, there are fermented milk drinks made using a special technology. One of them is "Snezhok" - a dairy product, the benefits and harms of which have been controversial for 50 years. This product has been produced since the 70s of the last century. It is recommended for use by patients with diabetes, overweight people and those who have cardiovascular diseases. When using "Snezhka" food is easier to digest. This is especially necessary after physical exertion and during illness. This product contains vitaminsgroups B, A, E, C and D, as well as trace elements.

Natural dairy products

In addition to products made from whole milk, there are those that are made without milk fat. The benefits and harms of a dairy product substitute cause a lot of controversy among specialists and nutritionists, as well as among ordinary people.

Substitute is a mixture of two vegetable oils. It is made by whipping or by converting from oils such as soybean, corn, rapeseed, sunflower. Or their tropical counterparts: coconut, palm. The choice of oils determines the concentration and quality of the milk fat substitute.

Most often it is used to make chocolate pastes, condensed milk, cheese, sour cream products, ice cream, spreads.

Substitute consists of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, the resulting products are able to be stored for a long time, as well as retain their natural taste.

In fact, such substitutes are not dangerous, since they are just a mixture of vegetable oils. And some nutritionists recommend during the diet to give preference to just such products. However, you should always carefully study the composition of the product, the substitute will not cause harm, but other components (flavors, stabilizers) can.

Controversy over the benefits and harms of dairy products can go on forever. However, each person chooses which side to follow and whether it is worth removing such a diet from the diet.a product familiar from childhood. After all, milk and dairy products contain many useful substances.