Powdered milk, a milk substitute, is a staple household item. While usually stocked for emergencies, its richness in vitamins and minerals means it has many surprising health benefits.
Milk is a large part of many diets around the world and comes in a variety of forms: powdered, raw or pasteurized. Milk-based (or ‘dairy’) products such as ice cream, yogurt and cheese can be found in every standard grocery store. It can be said that it is both an essential part of the average diet as well as the overall improvement of health. To learn more about milk and its powers, as well as the specificities of the powdered form, keep reading!
What is a Powdered or Dried Milk?
Powdered milk is a dairy product made by evaporating regular milk until it is completely dry. This leaves behind a rich, concentrated powder of the nutrients found in the original liquid form.
There are many advantages to the dried reduction. First and foremost, it cannot spoil or go bad. It is also much lighter than regular milk, making it much easier to transport. Finally, because it is more condensed (needing only water to be consumed as a beverage again), more can be produced from a smaller package. All the while, it maintains the same level of nutrients found in the regular form.
Although dry milk has been in use for thousands of years, it was only about 200 years ago that it became popular and began to be widely produced in various parts of the world. Beyond being left as a milk concentrate, it is also good to use in confectionery and culinary preparations.
Nutrition of Powdered Milk
As previously established, there is a large quantity of nutrients found in powdered milk. This includes the 20 standard amino acids which help the body create proteins, as well as potassium, calcium and carbohydrates. Moreover, depending on the type of milk, there are also some amounts of fat.
2 tablespoons has a moderate amount of vitamins A and D as well as 4 grams of sugar and approximately 26 calories.
Uses of Powdered Milk
Powdered milk has so many surprising uses! It can be found in skincare (for example, milk baths to ease irritation and inflammation of the skin) and in infant formula. Of course, it can also be an ingredient in many foods, including cottage cheese, cheese curds curds, coffee creamer, whipped toppings, chocolates, yogurt and sauces.
Health Benefits of
Because it is a reduction of regular milk, powdered milk has much of the same nutrients. The following are some of its health benefits:
It helps in rehydrate. Milk is essential in hydrating the body, particularly in cases of extreme dehydration (or loss of water in the body).
It helps in dental care. Milk helps protect the surface of enamel, which can be eroded by many acidic substances such as soda or coffee.
It helps supply calcium. We all know that milk has a rich calcium content. This nutrient is beneficial in protecting the body from illnesses such as obesity, bone loss and even cancer.
It helps improve bone health. Calcium is a very important part of maintaining strong and healthy bones. The calcium content of milk helps avert the risk of osteoporosis and other bone disorders. This is one of the biggest and most well-known benefits of powdered milk.
It helps improve cardiovascular health. Even though most of the calcium in our body is in our bones, it can also lead to the reduction of heart-related diseases. When taken in moderation, powdered milk’s calcium content helps reduce the risk of stroke and various other cardiovascular diseases.
The Pros and Cons of Powdered Milk
Even though the health benefits of powdered milk are clear, there are some negative aspects (albeit minor) that need to be taken into account before diving right into regular consumption. First is the flavour. Some say the taste and texture of it is a bit chalky, evene when mixed with water. Furthermore, because it is a powder, it can be hard to utilize and mix into some dishes and beverages as it may clump.
