Consumption of Milk: Good or Bad

Introduction

Research has shown that bones are made up of calcium mostly. To have healthy and strong bones, an ample supply of calcium is very important. To prevent from osteoporosis, good intake of calcium is necessary at the time of growth. In most of the counties of the West, two third of calcium in the diet is due to the intake of milk and its products. Milk is a rich source of calcium. Research has shown that adults who in their childhood consumed ample amount of milk have improved bone density [1].

Consumption of milk also improves bone and height gain in children. It is commonly observed that few children constantly avoid intake of cow milk because they dislike the taste. Unless these kids enhance their consumption of other foods rich in calcium or use calcium supplements to recover the loss of calcium from milk, they could be risking the health of their bones. Avoidance of milk intake may also affect overall growth and development of bones as it is rich in other nutrients. Children who consume less amount of milk have low appendicular bone mineral density (BMD) than those who intake more milk. Calcium supplements can be used to enhance bone density in children whose calcium intake is fewer. Children avoid milk due to its taste. Milk is a well-known beverage used by animals and human beings. Human beings think that they are the only ones who intake milk even after weaning. Human beings consume milk of other species all their lives [1].

Discussion

Eating habits of parents are influence children. Mother's who drink milk regularly; her children drink more milk in comparison to children of mothers who are not regular milk takers. Parents know the importance of milk in a child diet but seldom give their children calcium substitute. Studies have shown that people who avoided milk had small structure of bones, considerably low bone area and low values of volumetric BMD in comparison to those children which were fracture free [2].

Children who avoided milk had fewer minerals in bones in comparison to milk takers. It is revealed through studies that Bones having low density crack or break with less amount of force than bones which have high density. Low density in bones eventually increases the vulnerability of bones being fractured. In the light of surveys, it is proven that children who avoid consumption of milk suffered a fracture of bones on a regular basis. If these children would not change their eating habits they would become adults with an inadequate peak bone mass, which would result in more fracture later in life. When supply of calcium goes less than the required amount needed for the calcium need of the human body, the body is most likely to get affected badly. A US study reports that kids who keep away from milk intake are fatter in comparison to those kids who take milk. One reason may be that milk is substituted by other drinks like soft drinks, ...