Health benefits of milk beyond traditional nutrition.

摘要

This paper provides an overview of health benefits of consumption of milk which are not easily explained by traditional nutritional knowledge. These benefits relate to risk reduction of some chronic diseases and to promotion of specific body functions. Milk and milk components promote a healthy body composition, reduce the risk of obesity, and most probably that of the metabolic syndrome and diabetes type II. On the basis of the totality of scientific evidence, it can be concluded that milk consumption reduces blood pressure and promotes gut health. A wide range of milk components is likely to be involved in the health effects. The matrix of milk may allow interactions between these components to realise these benefits. This would mean that milk is more than the sum of its individual components.