Milk is very important for the growth and development of an individual, especially at a young age. It is vital in strengthening your bones, teeth and body. There are a lot of types of milk at the market today, so you need to know which one is best for you and your child. One type of milk loved by many is skim milk, which has a lot of unique health benefits. If you want to know more, keep reading!
What is Skim Milk?
Skim milk is a non-fat or fat-free milk, making it a low-calorie alternative to full fat milk. Most skim milk is enriched with vitamins D and A, because the fat-soluble vitamins in milk are frequently lost when the fat is taken away. Unlike what most people believe, skim milk actually contains the bulk of the nutrients offered by full fat milk. It may not have the same flavour, but it is a great alternative for those struggling with obesity.
Non-fat milk is traditionally made by allowing full fat milk to sit and separate, making the high-fat cream rise to the top where it can be skimmed off. In today’s day and age, it’s normal for milk to go through several processes, including centrifugal division. In this process, most of the fat molecules are detached from the rest of the milk, and the milk is then homogenized to prevent any additional separation.
Types of Skim Milk
There are four (4) types of skim milk:
- Organic skin milk: this is actually made from untreated cow’s milk, meaning it doesn’t have any synthetic growth hormones or antibiotics. The cows are also feed only organic food.
- Reconstituted skim milk: this is a non-fat dry milk that has an additional water in it, giving it the consistency of regular skim milk.
- Concentrated skim milk: this is a nonfat milk with a large amount of water removed, giving it a much thicker consistency. It is also a much more concentrated source of minerals, vitamins, natural sugar and protein.
- Non-fat dry milk: this is actually a powdered form of skim milk which lacks cream and water.
Nutritional Value of Skim Milk
A one cup serving of skim milk contains:
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 90 |
| Cholesterol | 5 milligrams |
| Total fat | 0 gram |
| Trans fat | 0 gram |
| Monounsaturated fat | 0 gram |
| Polyunsaturated fat | 0 gram |
| Saturated fat | 0 gram |
| Protein | 8 grams |
| Sugars | 12 grams |
| Dietary fiber | 0 gram |
| Total Carbohydrates | 13 grams |
| Potassium | 410 milligrams |
| Sodium | 130 milligrams |
| % Daily Value | |
| Iron | 0% |
| Calcium | 30% |
| Vitamin C | 4% |
| Vitamin A | 10% |
Health Benefits of Skim Milk
Here are some of the best health benefits of skim milk:
- Helps promote growth: skim milk has a good amount of protein, thus making it essential in the proper growth and development of bones, tissues, cells and muscles.
- Helps improve muscle function: the calcium content of skim milk is exemplary. This is what makes it beneficial in improving muscle function as well as the overall nervous system.
- Helps control blood pressure: the potassium in skim milk helps control blood pressure by relieving the tension and strain in the blood vessels and arteries.
- Helps with weight loss: skim milk is low in calories, making it a perfect choice for anyone trying to watch their overall calorie intake. This may help with weight loss.
- Helps improve heart health: since there is little to no cholesterol in skim milk, it helps lower the risk of atherosclerosis, therefore protecting you from various cardiovascular conditions, like strokes and heart attacks.
There are a lot of health benefits of skim milk, and the above-mentioned are just some of them. The next time you choose a milk to try, opt for skim milk.
