Natural Nutrients in Milk
Milk has been enjoyed as part of a balanced diet for centuries, in various forms from regular milk and yogurt to specialty cheeses. All of these foods, including PURA Milk, are nutrient rich and can contribute to our wellbeing.
Naturally, there are essential nutrients in milk including vitamins A, B2 (riboflavin), B3 (niacin), calcium, phosphorus, potassium. Click here to download the Dairy Australia fact sheet on on milk nutritional information.
Nutrients in milk also provides a complete source of protein (both whey and casein) for growth and development, and a natural source of carbohydrate for energy.
Emerging research highlights other natural components in milk such as antioxidants, growth promoting factors and nutrients involved in the immune system. Milk proteins, such as whey, are rich in these natural components, and even milk fat contains a compound called conjugated linoleic acid (CLA).1 Research in animals has found that CLA may have some significant benefits.2
Milk: Calcium and so Much More...
Definitions
Energy
Energy is required for everyday living including all of our bodily functions — muscular activity, growth, muscle repair, concentration and fuel for everyday activity. Milk provides energy from high quality protein, slowly absorbed carbohydrate and fat.
Milk Protein
Cow's milk is recognised for providing high quality protein because it contains ALL of the essential amino acids that our bodies need in the right amounts.1,3
Protein is made up of amino acids. There are more than 20 common amino acids of which 9 are essential. In humans, different combinations of amino acids can make proteins that have very specific functions in the body. Protein is needed to make hair, nails, muscles and enzymes, for example!
All PURA milks provide the goodness of protein.
Whey protein
Cow's milk protein is made up of approximately 80% casein and 20% whey. Did you know emerging evidence suggests that bioactive nutrients in whey protein may play an important role in the immune system? Research which gave whey protein to people after strength training found that the amino acids in whey can help the post exercise muscle repair.
Carbohydrate
Carbohydrates are the most important fuel source of the body. The natural carbohydrate in milk is a sugar, lactose, which provides approximately 30% of the energy of regular milk. Lactose may assist with calcium absorption, particularly in infants. Lactose also has a low glycaemic index. There are small quantities of other natural sugars in milk (glucose & galactose) which also provide energy.
Note: references are available on request.
1 http://www.innovatewithdairy.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/DCD_JulyAug2006HealthBenefits.pdf
2 Miller GD, Jarvis JK, McBean LD. 2007 Handbook of Dairy Foods and Nutrition 3rd ed. National Dairy Council. CRC Press, US.
3 http://www.innovatewithdairy.com/Pages/Whatarethenutritionaladvantagesofwheyprotein.aspx