The fact is that milk provides nourishment for the human body in more than one way. Milk contains in abundance and of high quality such important nutrients as protein, Vitamin D, calcium and a known anti-cancer micronutrient called selenium. For vegetarians, Vitamin B12, an essential vitamin to beat anemia is present in milk but is unavailable from other vegetarian sources of food. The calcium from milk and milk products is generally much better absorbed than the calcium from the vegetarian sources. Of course, you get a whole range of other benefits from milk unlike most other sources of calcium.

For the record, the other good sources of calcium which is equivalent to that of a cup of milk includes: tofu, 250 gms; sesame seeds, 25 gms; salmon or sardines with soft chewable bones, 30 gms; figs, a quarter kilo; broccoli or okra, one-and-a-half cup; lentils/soyabeans, one-and-a-half cup.

The other great advantages of consuming milk

• Regulates Blood Pressure: The calcium rich foods such as milk and milk products are considered as secret weapons against high blood pressure. In fact, some experts believe that adequate calcium, in the form of milk can cancel the bad effects of a high sodium diet. This works well even for salt-sensitive people too.

• Improves bone health: In an important study, it was observed that there was a strong correlation between women who drank milk with every meal in their childhood being endowed with denser, healthier bones than their counterparts who had lesser milk. It is not just the calcium but the proteins in milk along with Vitamin D and K and phosphorus that help maintain bone health. Vitamin D and calcium combined together in a food item is an ideal situation. The Vitamin D ensures the maximum absorption of calcium.

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