Over the past few years, I've written about various milk alternatives - almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk. Today I thought it was time to give regular milk a fair shake and talk about some of its benefits.
Milk is a good source of Vitamin D which millions of people are surprisingly deficient in. Even in warm weather, many people stay indoors or use sunscreen to protect their skin from the sun. Many doctors believe that maintaining sufficient levels of Vitamin D is key to good health, as well as in cancer prevention. Milk also contains appreciable amounts of protein and calcium which are good for our bones and muscles.
Of course, I have to acknowledge that there is a lot of concern about how our milk is produced these days. Some people feel that the pasteurization process is quite harmful to the milk, altering its amino acids and killing the very enzymes which help our bodies assimilate the nutrients in the milk.
All this has led to a resurgence of interest in raw milk. If you do not have a supplier of raw milk in your area or if you just prefer not to buy it raw, look for *organic* DHA-enhanced milk. DHA is an omega-3 fatty acid which is needed by the brain and the retina. It is a crucial element for optimum learning ability, mental development and good vision. Apparently Americans are quite deficient in DHA which is why many food manufacturers are adding it as a supplement.
You probably don't have too much trouble finding ways to include milk in your diet. It is a great smoothie base, goes with cereal, hot or cold, makes a great base for hot chocolate and as a great midnight snack.
Enjoy!
Juliet
Juliet
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