Dairy products play an important role in a balanced diet regimen. Dairy products are the choice of researchers in the development of functional foods. Functional foods are foods that have some additional health benefits beyond their basic nutritional value, as some specific bioactive compounds have been added to it. Functional dairy products have recently gained popularity among consumers in the past few years because of their desired health benefits.
Milk is considered to be a good source of all essential nutrients and almost a complete diet that contains a good source of protein, fat, lactose, vitamins, and minerals. Dairy products form one of the most susceptible groups of daily diets like old age, neonates, lactating mothers and infants. Milk is one of the best nourishment diet sources containing breast milk for new-borns and babies. Many functional dairy products have recently been developed and consumed all over the world, including fermented products, probiotic, prebiotic and symbiotic foods. Their demand is steadily increasing and peoples are getting health benefits, because of their positive impact on overall health due to added bioactive ingredients.
Milk contains a variety of proteins, oligosaccharides and peptides, which are either part of raw fresh milk or produced upon the fermentation or digestion process. Some of the sphingolipids or their metabolite present in milk have been investigated to show antimicrobial effect as well. The trace mineral bioavailability like selenium and manganese, iron and zinc etc., is also improved by milk proteins and peptides. Milk proteins and peptides play an active role in nutrient absorption and digestion.
The functional importance of probiotics and fermented dairy foods are either directly consumed by microorganisms or through the production of microbial metabolite from the fermentation process. The probiotic drinks of the health supporting mechanisms are through improved indigenous intestinal microflora and immune modulatory mechanisms.
As per guidelines of food and drug administration one can provide milk of the following recommended dietary daily values of nutrients. The basic physiological function associated with these nutrients on a broad basis is mentioned below:
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Calcium (25 percent): Maintain strong bones and teeth
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Riboflavin (35 percent): Helps in the cellular development of the nervous system, skin, RBC and metabolism of fat and carbohydrate
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Phosphorus (20 percent): Help in muscle contraction and formation of genetic material (DNA and RNA), Strengthens bones, energy balance
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Vitamin D (15 percent): Calcium absorption, insulin regulation, anti-carcinogenic activity
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Pantothenic Acid (20 percent): Acetyl CoA synthesis, important constituent of energy cycle
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Potassium (8 percent): Maintains fluid and electrolyte balance, blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular health Vitamin A (15 percent): Promotes good vision and healthy skin
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Niacin (10 percent): reduce triglycerides and promote good cholesterol
Health Benefits of Dairy Foods
Many studies suggest that intake of milk has various health benefits on the body such as improving bone health, lowering the risk of heart disease and diabetes, preventing sarcopenia in elders or old age, and maintains gut health.
Infant and baby food: Milk is a very important postnatal baby after breast milk and provides nutrients and bioactive components that enable the development of immune mechanisms and symbiotic microflora in the intestine of new-borns. Milk provides energy, essential nutrients, mineral, vitamins and calcium, which help in the growth and development of the baby especially after one year of breast feeding. Three serving of dairy food or 350-400 ml of milk is recommended between one to three years of age.
Improved bone health: Milk and dairy foods are a very good source of protein calcium and vitamin which is essential for bone growth and development. Milk calcium is easily absorbable and digested in the body ie milk and milk products are a reliable source of calcium. Regular consumption in recommended doses will help maintain bone and muscle mass, and result in life-long healthy bone mass.
Blood pressure regulation and cardiovascular health: Milk contains potassium, magnesium and calcium ions that help regulate fluid and electrolyte balance. Potassium ion plays a very important role in preventing heart stroke, and maintaining healthy blood pressure. American dietary guidelines have also recommended three servings of low-fat milk, yoghurt or cheese on a regular basis each day. Milk and milk products also contain some bioactive peptides that regulate blood pressure by ACE inhibitory activity and stop the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. It has been investigated by various studies in people who include regular dietary intake of milk and dairy foods with low risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.
Improvement of gut health: Fermented dairy products and probiotic drinks have a positive impact on gut health and improves the digestive system, including probiotic drinks in live bacterial cultures that promote digestion in aids, pathogenic microorganism of prevents growth, ie prevents the variety of intestinal diseases like IBS. , inflammatory bowel disease and enhance the immune system. Probiotic drinks are quite popular drink in the fitness industry. Fermented dairy products fix the problem of lactose intolerance, where lactose sugar is metabolized by the microorganism.
Women after menopause are more prone to osteoporotic fracture because of low dietary protein and calcium intake, protein intake has been shown to be associated with calcium absorption and bone mass, women after menopause are four times more prone to osteoporosis than man, though older man are also susceptible. So, a balanced diet is very important to solve this problem, especially at older age. Researchers investigated that protein and calcium in dairy foods play a critical role in maintaining bone density and muscle mass in older people ie reducing the risk of osteoporosis. Studies have shown that regular intake of fat-free or low-fat dairy products provides at least three servings a day of essential nutrients for bone and muscle health, reducing the risk of progression of arthritis and osteoporosis in older people.
Whey protein drinks are quite popular dairy products for bodybuilders and fitness industry, because of its bioavailability and nutritional properties. Whey protein is a rich source of branched chain amino acids, which are metabolized directly into the muscle tissue. Whey protein is a good source of leucine essential amino acid which promotes muscle protein synthesis and hence the muscle mass. Whey protein contains various proteins like β-lactoglobulin, α-lactalbumin, bovine serum albumin, lactoferrin and lactoperoxidase etc., which have anti-carcinogenic, immunomodulatory, and antimicrobial properties. Whey protein has been studied to improve insulin sensitivity, which results in fat deposition.
Anticarcinogenic activity: Calcium and vitamin D present in milk are investigated to possibly reduce the risk of colon, prostate and breast cancer in humans. Calcium protect the gut by lining the oxidizing action of fatty acids and bile acids by binding and solubilizing them to prevent direct contact with the colon or rectal wall. Whereas, Vitamin D check cell growth proliferation. Vitamin D is also associated with the production of serotonin hormone which affects mood, sleep and appetite. Vitamin D fortified milk is also manufactured by manufactures to achieve its health benefits.
Prevention of tooth decay and oral hygiene: Milk and dairy products are studied to reduce the incidence of plaque formation and dental caries (tooth decay) by reducing oral acidity and stimulating the saliva production.
Conclusions
Milk and milk products are an integral part of our balanced diet regime, due to its nutritional composition and health benefits. Milk products are the prime choice of researchers these days for the development of functional food, more fat free or lower fat dairy products are suitable for all age groups including children, adults and elderly people. Fermented dairy products can also be consumed by peoples having lactose intolerance. Milk and milk products help prevent and control various diseases.
Authors
Dr. Dinesh Kumar *
* Veterinary Surgeon (Government of Haryana)
Dr. Rajender Kumar **
** ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, Haryana
Shailesh Kumar Meena ***
*** Research Scholar ICAR-NDRI, Karnal, Haryana