World Milk Day is celebrated across the world to increase public awareness on the “global food” which is not only easily available but packs a nutritional punch with the many health-boosting nutrients. Milk is not only a rich source of instant energy but it is also life-giving and nutrient –dense. Hold your breath... a glass of milk contains an assortment of nutrients ranging from vitamins, minerals, proteins and good fats. This Mother Nature’s bounty, has calcium, magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, iodine, iron, potassium, folates, vitamin A, vitamin D, riboflavin, vitamin B12, high quality proteins and, healthy fat in it.
World Milk Day was first celebrated in 2001 across the world and since then it has become a global phenomenon. All UNO member countries including India are celebrating it on June 1. The United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization has established June 1 as World Milk Day, as the day was already celebrated as National Milk day in many countries.
SimpliCity spoke to cross section of medical professionals, Life style consultants and even owners of Organic Dairy companies to know what exact glass of milk can to your health. These experts have some vital information to share with the readers of SimpliCity.
Dr.Rathinavel, Senior Orthopedic Surgeon, Ramakrishna Hospitals said “Milk is very essential for human body, especially for growing children. It is an age-old and proven food. As mother’s milk is insufficient for a child to grow, we are going for cow’s milk. If you want something better than cow’s milk, you can opt for goat’s milk, which our Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi took every day.
“Milk is also easily available and a nutritious food. Some children develop allergy to milk protein and they should avoid taking milk. Organic milk is always better but it is bit costly. Children can take milk with fat content. While Middle and old age people can drink milk with less fat content. People with Diabetes, Hypertension and cardiac condition are advised to go for fat -free milk” Dr. Rathinavelu said
“Calcium is a much-needed for patients with Osteoporosis, a medical condition afflicting the men and women. But the calcium to get absorbed into the body, one needs vitamin D, the sunshine vitamin which is available in sun light aplenty. There are supplements, but the best way to get Vitamin D is through sun shine during morning or evening walks. Milk is rich in proteins and vegetarians can take it. The other milk products such as cheese and butter are also good for the body. Milk is very good for maintaining bone health. But cardiac patients should limit themselves to a glass of milk per day.
Dr. Shilpa Shah, Naturopathy doctor and Life style consultant has other views. She says cow’s milk is not necessary at all for an adult. While Cow’s milk is not at necessary if we want to drink milk it is always better to dilute it with water. Our digestive system is not equipped to digest the nutrient- dense milk.
“The flip side is the most of the dairy products have added chemicals like Titanium Dioxide to make it whiter in color and longer shelf-life. This is the same chemical agent which is mixed in paints to make it whiter. This Titanium Dioxide is a proven carcinogen and may cause cancer. Chemicals like Formaldehyde are added as a preservative, which was in the news very much in the recent days. So all this additives and preservatives are wholly toxic and harmful to the body” Dr. Shilpa Shah said.
"I do accept that milk is a wholesome food when it is pure, but do we get it? And, that's a million –dollar question. As the Dairy sector is a big industry, commercial considerations come to play a big role", while profiteering is the consideration not public health”. Dr. Shilpa Shah said.
Dhiraj Ram Krishna founder of Fresh Moos which deals with A2 and Organic milk in the city said “Organic Milk.milk is rich in amino acids, which makes the milk's protein easily digestible. It is rich in Vitamins and minerals the cows are fed with organic fodder only and no additives and preservatives are mixed, which makes the milk safer for consumption by all age groups.
“ Awareness among people has increased now and lot of people are demanding A2 and organic milk even though it is little costly than normal milk, which are available in market” says Dhiraj Ram Krishna, who is advocating organic milk as the best option.