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Importance of Milk in Diet When we talk of milk we mostly refer to cow's milk which has about 87% water and 13% solids. Milk and milk products provides good quality proteins, casein a protein found only in milk contains all the essential amino acids and constitutes of 82% of the total proteins. Rest 18% comes from whey proteins which is also unique in milk. Proteins from milk are used to build body tissue and muscles, and form antibodies to fight infections. The fat portion of milk contains various fat soluble vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin D and vitamin E.
Besides high quality protein and fat milk also offers other variety of nutrients like calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, and potassium. Calcium and phosphorus which are a prerequisite to maintain a good bone health are in approximately same ratios in milk. Calcium from milk is absorbed easily in the body and phosphorus helps in better utilization and absorption of calcium. Riboflavin, vitamin A and vitamin D help to maintain healthy skin and eyes. Most of the calcium in the diet (about 73%) is provided by milk and milk products. So when a person restricts milk and its products it can often lead to bone deterioration unless the diet is well supplemented with other calcium rich foods. Thus to get the goodness of all the nutrients it is necessary to include appropriate servings of milk and milk products in the diet according to ones requirement.
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