Milk - A Healthy Choice

Human being is the only mammal who drinks the milk of another mammal and this drink is most pleasurable at a cold temperature when the mercury rises.

A cold glass of milk flavoured or natural just before going to bed or the first thing in the morning is liked by all age groups.

Today, dairy is an essential part of a family's diet, as it is for most Indians. Indians have exhibited a strong preference for dairy products due to historical and cultural reasons. The country is the world's largest producer of milk, which is an important part of the diet given its nutritious value. A family's dairy intake rises along with its income. Studies, too, establish this trend. This love for dairy products is set to grow if numbers are to be believed.

Most children run from mothers offering glasses of milk, but it has been found that children who drink milk in childhood tend to be healthier than those who do not. Though not proven it has been suggested that regular milk drinkers are also found to smoke less than others.

As is the case with most enjoyable products, there have been scares about milk consumption as well. While some studies link it to breast cancer others say that too much of milk or even other dairy products could be harmful as it leads to high cholesterol levels. Most of these studies are then refuted in a short time by yet another study that would declare that drinking milk does not cause coronary artery problems and that it actually protects against poor health.

Dairy products make up 12% of the daily protein consumption of Indians.

Milkshakes & Smoothies

While home consumption of milk might be a simple blended exercise of fruit and plain milk, the commercial version is often sold as a cold beverage made from milk, often with added ice cream, flavourings or sweeteners, and syrups with sauces. Most fast food outlets use machines and often the overdose of sugar and flavourings just takes away the food value factor of the milk content.