Numerous health benefits
Calcium and so much more
Milk products provide numerous nutrients with benefits not limited to healthy bones and teeth. They are an important part of a healthy diet and are one of the four main food groups in Canada's Food Guide.
Did you know that, according to Canada's Food Guide, an adult aged between 19 and 50 should consume two servings of Milk and Alternatives every day?
And when you consider that a serving is 250 mL (1 cup) of milk, 175 g (¾ cup) of yogurt or 50 g (1 ½ oz) of cheese, you can see how easy it is to get the recommended number of daily servings! There's a huge variety of milk products on the market to suit everyone's tastes and needs.
Unique nutritional value
Milk products provide up to 16 nutrients which are essential for a balanced diet and to maintain good health:
- Protein
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B6
- Riboflavin
- Niacin
- Thiamine
- Pantothenic acid
- Folate
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Phosphorus
- Potassium
- Zinc
- Selenium
The role of essential nutrients
The nutrients in milk products provide numerous health benefits. They aid normal growth and keep the body functioning properly while helping prevent certain diseases. Here's an overview of the role played by each one of these essential nutrients.
- Protein:
- helps build and repair body tissues, including bones, and builds antibodies which fight infection.
- Vitamin A:
- aids bone and tooth development. Also aids in the maintenance of night vision and healthy skin.
- Vitamin B12:
- aids in red blood cell formation.
- Vitamin B6:
- factor in energy metabolism and tissue formation, including bones.
- Riboflavin:
- factor in energy metabolism and tissue formation.
- Niacin:
- aids in normal growth. Factor in energy metabolism and tissue formation, including bones.
- Thiamine:
- releases energy from carbohydrate and aids normal growth.
- Pantothenic acid:
- factor in energy metabolism and tissue formation, including bones.
- Folate:
- aids in red blood cell formation.
- Vitamin D:
- enhances calcium and phosphorus absorption, on which strong bones and teeth depend.
- Calcium:
- aids in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth.
- Magnesium:
- factor in bone and teeth health, energy metabolism and tissue formation.
- Phosphorus:
- factor in the formation and maintenance of strong bones and healthy teeth.
- Potassium:
- aids in the correct functioning of nerves and muscles.
- Zinc:
- factor in tissue formation, including bones, and energy metabolism.
- Selenium:
- a dietary antioxidant involved in the formation of a protein that defends against oxidative stress.
