Six myths about milk to stop believing
Six commonly-held beliefs about the drink debunked
High in calcium and good for building strong bones - those are undisputed facts of milk. But, according to a 2010 report by the Health Promotion Board, 50 per cent of Singaporeans do not consume milk daily despite knowing its nutritional benefits.
A study on milk consumption here found that adults aged 18 to 50 do not see the importance of drinking milk, which can lead to an increased risk of osteoporosis when they are older.
Study author Kalpana Bhaskaran said: "The lack of motivation among adult Singaporeans to change their daily diets despite being presented with evidence of the benefits of milk in preventing chronic diseases such as osteoporosis and diabetes is particularly alarming. This is especially worrying given our rapidly ageing society, when one in four Singaporeans above age 65 will develop a chronic disease."
Here, we debunk six commonly-held beliefs about milk, so you have more reason to start drinking.
MILK IS FATTENING
According to the study by Dr Kalpana, Singaporeans think that milk is 46 per cent fat. Fact: The fat content of whole (full cream) milk is less than 4 per cent. Whole milk has around 4g of fat per 100ml.
Plus, it contains proteins and carbs to keep you satiated. The next time you are feeling peckish, have a cup of milk.
UHT MILK IS NOT AS NUTRITIOUS AS FRESH MILK
Do not look down on UHT (ultra-heat treated) milk. It is cheaper than fresh milk, has a longer shelf life and does not require refrigeration until you open the pack. More importantly, it is no less nutritious than fresh milk.
UHT milk is heated above 135 deg C for one to two seconds so that the beverage can last for several months without spoiling, but most nutrients in UHT milk are retained.
LACTOSE IN MILK IS BAD FOR DIGESTION
Lactose is a prebiotic that promotes growth of good gut bacteria for a healthy digestive tract.
Also, it is a slow-releasing sugar, which means you will not get sugar level spikes. This is why milk is great for diabetics and as a pick-me-up.
I CAN GET MY CALCIUM FROM OTHER SOURCES
There are many alternatives to get your calcium in. But you will need to consume ridiculous portions of those foods to hit your recommended 800mg of calcium intake a day.
A 250ml cup of milk provides 300mg calcium. In contrast, you will need to consume this amount of food to get your cup's worth of calcium:
- Spinach - 16 servings
- Salmon - 20 servings
- Red beans - 10 servings
- Anchovies - 3 tablespoons*
*Three tablespoons of anchovies has 560mg of sodium - that is more than a third of your daily sodium limit (1,500mg).
I AM LACTOSE-INTOLERANT, SO I CANNOT DRINK MILK
Lactose intolerance is the inability to digest lactose properly due to a deficiency in the lactase enzyme. People who are lactose-intolerant experience stomach discomfort such as bloating and tummy aches after consuming milk and dairy products. But lactose-free milk is available at most supermarkets.
ADULTS DO NOT NEED AS MUCH MILK AS KIDS
The recommended calcium intake for children and adults are comparable.
The Health Promotion Board recommends that adults aged 19 to 50 to consume 800mg calcium daily, while adolescents aged 10 to 18 should have 1,000mg. An easy way to hit your daily calcium requirement is to drink a cup of milk before or after each meal.
This article first appeared in Shape (www.shape.com.sg)
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