Can a diet rich in fat and protein really be a recipe for losing weight? Well, it sounds incredible, especially in our present world in which the word fat has been constantly associated with obesity, heart disease and other ailments.

Yet, a compelling number of studies from researchers and insights from nutritionists are continuing to prove that consistently eating a low-carbohydrate and high-fat diet has several health benefits, one of which is achieving and maintaining a healthy weight!

This “miracle-diet” is known as the ketogenic diet or keto diet for short. And it should come as a relief to you, especially if you have been thinking of shedding some weight without necessarily having to do away with your favorite high-fat foods, such as cheese, whole eggs and nuts, as some have made us believe for long.

Yes, it had taken some time, but more and more people are getting to know that consuming fat is not the problem in most issues relating to weight gain and heart ailments. In fact, it may surprise you that there are high-fat foods that not only help the heart to function optimally but also prevent heart diseases.

What is Keto Diet

The ketogenic diet is a high-fat diet with moderate protein content and a low carbohydrate allowance. It aims at reducing the average calorie intake by minimising carbohydrates and replacing them with healthy fats and moderate amounts of high-quality protein. This causes the body to switch to using its stored fat for fuel instead of utilising glucose. This “switching” is referred to as “ketosis”, from which the diet gets its name. Explaining this further, Ellit Upton, a fitness expert, says “The idea of keto is to take in such a low amount of carbohydrates that your body switches to a metabolic state called ‘ketosis’ where it uses fat and ketones for fuel instead of glucose.”

This revolutionary keto diet is apparently at variance with the knowledge that many of us had harboured about losing weight. Indeed, in the past, nutritionists used to recommend for those who wanted to lose weight, a diet low in fats and high in carbohydrates. The trouble with such diets, however, is that not only are they high in calories but they get used up by the body more quickly, leaving one to soon become hungry again and the cycle of eating and feeling hungry continues. Moreover diets high in carbohydrates have been found to increase the body’s glycaemic load, while also triggering the body to store rather than burn fat and thus leading to weight gain in the long run.

This is where the keto diet comes to the rescue. When, for instance, a person decides to take less than 40 grams of carbohydrates in a day, the body soon runs out of blood sugar; afterwards the body starts to break down protein and fat for energy, which can make one lose weight.

Fats make you have a feeling of being full and they also do not get used up by the body easily, thereby reducing your craving for food. It is no surprise therefore than in a recent research conducted at John Hopkins University, United States, in which two groups of people were placed on low-fat and low-carbohydrates diets respectively for six months, it was found that those in the low-carb group lost much more pounds on the average.

Food metabolism and Ketogenesis

There are four sources of calories for the body: carbohydrates, protein, fats, and alcohol. The body tends to utilise a given source of fuel for energy in relation to its availability and concentration in the bloodstream. Carbohydrates are the most preferred source of calories because they can be broken down quickly to glucose, the primary metabolic fuel of the body. However, the body can increase or decrease its use of glucose in direct proportion to the amount of dietary carbohydrate consumed. Fat utilisation is dependent on carbohydrates and alcohol consumption.

Nutritionist, Kimberly Holland, says, “The goal of a ketogenic diet is to force your body to stop burning its favorite fuel—glucose from the carbs you eat—and start burning fat stores for energy. The body does this by converting the fats to ketones.” Thus, the ketogenic diet aims at reducing the average calorie intake by minimising carbohydrates and replacing them with a large number of healthy fats and moderate amounts of protein. This mimics starvation or fasting state as the body enters into a condition known as ketosis. Ketosis means that the body is in a state where it doesn’t have enough glucose available to use as energy, forcing it to metabolize free fatty acids as an alternative fuel.

Ngela Mavridis, an LA-based holistic nutritionist, explained that the ketogenic diet is a neat little trick of our body’s biology. Mavridis, who has worked with many top models who walk the runways said that if you are trying to lose weight, you should take more fat, as it has consistently proven to be effective.

Sounds a little weird? It’s not, says Mavridis. “The human body is designed in a way that it can handle this kind of food,” she enthused. To prove this, she cited the example of one Deborah Syan who had been trying to lose some weight, and tried every other diet without a positive yield until she stumbled on a post on Instagram about the ketonic diet in 2017. According to her, within three months of the diet, she had lost 65 pounds; a year later, she had lost 200 pounds.

How the Ketogenic Diet Works

Keto diet will help you to shed a lot of pounds more in the first four to eight months more than the Mediterranean diet, and this is because it takes a lot of calories to change fat into energy than it does to turn carbohydrate into energy.

A typical keto dieter’s day is about 50-70% fat, 10-20% protein, and 5% carbohydrates.  Some of the constituents of the diet may be surprising. Regular foods include meat, fish, butter, eggs, nuts and low-carb vegetables. Apparently, not all vegetables get a full green light in the keto diet. Certain vegetables, like potatoes and onions, are higher in carbohydrates and must be taken reasonably. For fruit, you can eat most berries but should stay away from tropical fruits and even prosaic stuff like apples and orange, since they are high in sugar. For meat and cheese and other dairies you buy, keep an eye out for added sugars.

Generally, you will have to drastically reduce or totally remove the following from your diet to make it ketogenic: sugary foods, such as soda, fruit juice, cake; grains and starches; beans and legumes, root vegetables and tuber, unhealthy fats and alcohol. On the other hand will have to increase intake of the following: meat, bacon, turkey, fatty fish, butter and cream and the likes.

Beyond Weight Shedding

Although a lot of people take to ketogenic diet for the purpose of shedding pounds, several studies have however shown that the diet can help to manage issues such as brain diseases, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, diabetes, epilepsy, heart disease, acne, and other nervous system disorder. However there is still a need for more research to be done in this aspect. Ensure you talk to your doctor when you are about to try the diet.

A ketogenic diet is vital to endurance athletes, runners and cyclists – for example, when they train. Over time, it helps your muscle-to-fat ratio and raises the amount of oxygen your body can use when it’s working hard. But while it might help in training, it may not work as well as other diets for peak performance.

Side Effects

As with every other diet used to manage metabolic diseases, the ketogenic diet also has its limitations. Therefore, it is crucial that you consult a dietician or doctor who can advise you on the best way to approach it. Some of the common side-effects of the diet aren’t usually serious. You might have constipation, mild low blood sugar, or indigestion. Much less often, low-carb diets can lead to kidney stones or high levels of acid in your body (acidosis).

Other side effects include the “keto flu,” which may come with headache, irritability, bad breath, fatigue, weakness, light-headedness, headaches, and mild irritability. However, each of these can be treated quickly. Cheeringly, most of the symptoms wane off after the first week of the diet.

It is worth mentioning that some people confuse ketoacidosis, an extremely abnormal form of ketosis, with the healthy benign dietary ketosis associated with ketogenic diets. Good nutritional ketosis is a controlled, insulin-regulated process, which results in a mild release of fatty acids and ketone body production in response to low carbohydrate intake, and higher fat consumption. On the other hand, Ketoacidosis is a condition in which abnormal quantities of ketones are produced in a chaotic biochemical situation.

To reach a state of ketoacidosis, the body has to be in a state of not producing enough insulin to regulate the flow of fatty acids and the creation of ketone bodies.

Juicing has become increasingly popular in recent years and is now a multi-million dollar industry. Fresh fruit and vegetable juices can be purchased at most grocers, farmers’ markets, and shops dedicated to fresh juice. They can also be made at home with juicing equipment.

Carrots are a common ingredient in many juices, as they provide a flavour that pairs well with many other fruits and vegetables.

Aside from taste, carrot juice may also provide numerous health benefits. Read on to learn more about the potential health benefits and possible risks of drinking carrot juice.

Nutritional information

Carrot juice is nutritionally dense and a more healthful alternative to many fruit juices. According to the United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database, 1 cup of canned carrot juice contains:

94 kilocalories (kcal); 2.24 grams (g) of protein;  0.35 g of fat; 21.90 g of carbohydrate;  1.90 g of fibre.

The same amount of juice provides a variety of vitamins and minerals, including:

689 milligrams (mg) of potassium; 20.1 mg of vitamin C;  0.217 mg of thiamine;  0.512 mg of vitamin B-6; 2,256 micrograms (mcg) of vitamin A; 36.6 mcg of vitamin K.

Health benefits of carrot juice

Carrot juice is nutritious and may be beneficial for a range of health conditions:

Stomach cancer

Carrots contain antioxidants, which may explain their role in cancer prevention. In a review of studies, researchers looked at the effect of eating carrots on the risk for stomach cancer.

They concluded that eating carrots was associated with a 26 percent lower risk for stomach cancer. However, they did not specify how many had to be eaten to lower stomach cancer risk. More controlled studies are needed to confirm this association.

Leukemia

More research is needed, but carrot juice may have a future role in leukemia treatment.In one study, researchers looked at the effect of carrot juice extracts on leukemia cells. The carrot juice extracts caused the leukemia cells to self-destruct and stopped their cell cycle.

Breast cancer

The high levels of carotenoids in carrot juice may help to lower the risk of breast cancer returning.

A study of breast cancer survivors looked at the effect of carrot on levels of carotenoids, markers of oxidative stress, and markers of inflammation in the blood.

The researchers reported that higher levels of carotenoids in the blood were associated with a lower risk of breast cancer returning.

During the study, participants consumed 8 ounces of carrot daily for 3 weeks. At the end of the study, the women had higher blood levels of carotenoids and lower levels of a marker associated with oxidative stress.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)

Carrot juice is high in vitamin C. Researchers looked at the association between dietary vitamin C intake and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in Korean adults aged 40 years or older.

They found that people with COPD had significantly lower intakes of multiple nutrients found in carrot juice, including carotene, potassium, vitamin A, and vitamin C, than people without COPD.

However, people with COPD also ate significantly less food overall than people without COPD.

For people who smoked heavily, the risk of COPD is lower in those who consumed more vitamin C than those who consumed very little.

Juicing tips and recipes

Carrot juice contains less fibre and more sugar than raw carrots.

According to Stanford Health Care, the vitamin and mineral nutrients in 1 cup of carrot juice are almost equivalent to the amounts in 5 cups of chopped carrots.

While fresh fruit and vegetable juices do provide plenty of nutrients, they do not contain as much fibre as fresh fruits and vegetables. Also, they contain more sugar per cup than whole fruits and vegetables.

For example, 1 cup of carrot juice contains 2 g of fibre and 9 g of sugar, while 1 cup of cubed, raw carrots contains 3.5 g of fibre and 6 g of sugar.

Making fresh carrot at home requires a juice extractor.  Carrots can be combined with other fruits and vegetables to make tasty juices.

Medical News Today

White rice is one of the most frequently eaten food products around the world, however, white rice is not nearly so nutritious as its less processed version, brown rice.

Most of us know that! That’s why majority of consumers typically choose white rice over brown rice because of the difference of appearance. While its true white rice looks so much more delicious than brown rice, it doesn’t mean it’s the healthier alternative. According to a study conducted by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, brown rice is the top choice in terms of both nutritional and other inherent healthy benefits.

Before white went through the refining process, it at one time looked exactly like brown rice. Brown, unlike white rice, still has the side hull and bran. The side hulls and brans provide “natural wholeness” to the grain and are rich in proteins, thiamine, calcium, magnesium, fiber, and potassium.

Although white rice is fortified, it still doesn’t reach the minimum nutritional requirements for one serving of food as specified by the FDA.

13 Health Benefits

1. It Lowers the Risk of Developing Diabetes

Harvard researchers have discovered that eating at least two servings of brown rice per week can lower the risk of developing diabetes. They found that by eating just 50 grams of brown rice a day, the risk of type 2 diabetes can be lowered by 16 percent, while other whole grains, such as barley and whole wheat, can lower the risk by 36 percent.

2. Rich in Selenium

Brown is rich in selenium which reduces the risk for developing common illnesses such as cancer, heart disease and arthritis.

3. High in Manganese

One cup of brown rice provides 80% of our daily manganese requirements. Manganese helps the body synthesize fats. Manganese also benefits our nervous and reproductive systems.

4. Rich in Naturally-Occurring Oils

Naturally occurring oils are beneficial for the body as these healthful fats help normalize cholesterol levels.

5. Its High in Fiber

Brown rice supplies 14 percent of the recommended daily value for fiber, an important nutrient that protects against colon cancer and breast cancer. Fiber tends to latch onto the chemicals that cause cancer and steer them away from the cells in the colon and breasts, preventing cancer from developing in those areas. Fiber also has many other health benefits including promoting cardiovascular health.

6. Possible reduced Risk of Colon Cancer

It is thought that the high selenium levels, as well as certain phenols found in brown rice may be associated with reduced risk of colon cancer.   These phenols are present in much high concentrations in brown rice than in white, meaning this association may not be seen with high white consumption.   The high content of dietary fibre may also contribute to a healthy colon and digestive system.

7. Promotes Weight Loss

The fiber content of brown keeps bowel function at it’s peak since it makes digestion that much easier. Brown is the perfect addition to the daily diet for those seeking bowel regularity. In addition, brown rice also makes the tummy feel full which translates to smaller meal portions.

8. Perfect Baby Food

Brown rice cereal or brown rice itself is the perfect baby’s first food due to the dense natural nutrition and fiber it contains. This is a much better choice than refined white rice cereal products as rapidly growing babies and toddlers require nutrient rich diets to help maintain rapid growth cycles.

9. It Can Lower Cholesterol

The oil in brown rice has been shown to lower levels of LDL cholesterol, also known as the bad cholesterol, by up to seven percent. At the same time, a diet high in whole grains can increase the level of HDL cholesterol, or the good cholesterol.

10. It Reduces the Risk of Childhood Asthma

Asthma is a very common condition among children and causes many children to miss numerous days of school. But children who eat plenty of whole grains along with fish can lower their risk of developing asthma by 50 percent. Studies show that fruits, vegetables and even dairy don’t have much of an effect in reducing asthma, but whole grains and fish do.

11. It Offers Many Cardiovascular Benefits

Studies have shown that brown rice can have many cardiovascular benefits for postmenopausal women, including slowing the progression of atherosclerosis, which is the build-up of plaque in the arteries, as well as slowing the progression of the narrowing of the arteries. But postmenopausal women aren’t the only ones who can benefit from the heart-healthy compounds in this whole grain. Brown rice also contains plant lignans, which can protect against heart disease and certain types of cancer.

12. It Reduces the Risk of Developing Metabolic Syndrome

Metabolic syndrome is a combination of factors that increases the risk for developing type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. This condition is characterized by excess fat in the abdominal area and insulin resistance. Eating whole grains on a regular basis can reduce the risk of weight gain and insulin resistance by up to 38 percent.

13. Candida Yeast Infections

Brown rice is the perfect adjunct for candida yeast infection treatmentsgiven that high glycemic and otherwise sugary/starchy foods are prohibited during most candida treatment protocols. The natural digestibility of brown coupled with the high fiber content can help sensitive digestive systems heal from an overgrowth of candida organisms.

They look ordinary and not particularly appealing. They are also sold mostly by mallams in wheel barrows in most cities in Nigeria; so the average educated Nigerian may never look their way. However, recent studies have shown that the seemingly ordinary tigernuts are a veritable source of the nutritional needs of most humans.

This is because tigernut (or aki awusa as it is known in Igboland, or ofio in Yorubaland), has been found to be one of nature’s super foods. It is a very rich source of dietary fibre; in fact, over 30% of it is made of fibre, which is more than that of oats, bran and most vegetables and fruits. Doctors and nutritionists advise that we all need dietary fibre to keep our digestive system in good working order; it can also be an aid to weight loss, as makes one feel fuller for longer.

Tigernut is equally believed to contain ingredients that can help prevent heart attack and improve blood circulation. Cardiologists recommend eating tigernuts because they have the similar lipid profile to Olive oil which is considered one of the healthiest oils.

Tigernuts also help to control blood pressure and are high in amino acids, especially arginine, which has been shown to be beneficial to those suffering from high blood pressure. Arginine has been clinically proven to reduce blood pressure.

Additionally, tigernuts have proven to be rich in magnesium, which is needed by the body to help with muscle and nerve function and for the proper functioning of the immune system. Magnesium also helps to regulate the heartbeat.

Prof. Ene-Obong, a nutritionist who has done some research on tigernuts, explained that they are able to control sugar levels because of their high fibre content. According to her, “If tigernuts are eaten for a long time, they have the ability to lower blood sugar.”

Tigernuts are also said to be a veritable source of protein, which is vital in building of skin, muscles, bones and repairing of cells in our bodies. Tigernuts provide one of the best non-meat form of protein and their milk contains no lactose. This makes it a great alternative for people who are lactose intolerant. Prof. Ene-Obong noted that a student of hers did research on this and found out that tigernut milk is quite rich and can be a substitute for cow milk.

Description 

Tigernut is a nut belonging to the crop of the sedge family which is spread all over the world. It is present mostly in the Western Hemisphere and the Southern Europe, Africa, Indian subcontinent and the Middle East. It has also become quite common in many other regions, including China, Hawaii, Ukraine, New Guinea, New South Wales, Java and various oceanic islands.

There is evidence that tigernut has been cultivated in Egypt since the sixth century and for several centuries in Southern Europe. This crop is cultivated due to its edible tubers known for the preparation of “horchata de chufa”, a sweet milk-like beverage. But it is considered as a weed in most countries

The tigernut plant is an annual plant which grows up to 90 cm tall, with solitary stems growing from tuber. The plant is reproduced by rhizomes, seeds and tubers. The stems are triangular in shape and have slender leaves, about three to 10 mm wide. The seeds of the plant are quite unique with a cluster of flat, oval seeds surrounded by four leaves at 90 degrees to each other. They are about five to 30 mm long and are linear to narrowly elliptical with eight to 35 florets. The colour ranges from straw-coloured to gold-brown. They can produce a total of 2420 seeds per plant. The plant foliage is quite tough and is often mistaken as a grass.

Good source of nutrition

Researchers have confirmed that tigernuts were a great source of nutrition for the Egyptian people. Indeed, it was the most ancient food found in Egypt after barley and emmer. Illustrations of Cyperus grass (nut grass) are found in many Egyptian tombs and it was discovered in the stomach of mummies, according to the book, Ancient Egyptians and their influence on the Civilization of Europe by G. Elliot-Smith.

It is also believed that tigernuts were a source of food for the Palaeo-Indians. The plant is also cultivated in Spain besides Egypt where it is used for many commercial purposes in mild climatic regions. The plant was first introduced by the Arabs in the Valencia region. They are found in California and were grown by the Paiute in Owens Valley. The plant is also cultivated in many other countries like Yemen, Morocco, Pakistan, Iran, Iraq, Mexico, Chile, USA, Niger, Nigeria, Gambia and Mali.

Health booster

Tigernuts are essential nuts and locally grown food source for fighting malnutrition in places like Africa. Different reports have suggested that they have a high amount of starch, a high fat content, rich in sodium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, copper, manganese and zinc and also have a higher amount of vitamin C and E content.  Some B-complex vitamins are also present in tigernuts. They are quite good for diabetics and can be consumed roasted, dried or raw. Yogurt is now made of added tigernut milk for improving the nutritional content.

Tigernuts are also quite beneficial for the digestive system. They are used for dealing with stomach cramps, irritable bowels and other stomach issues. They have been used in traditional medicine for curing diarrhoea and flatulence. They are also quite helpful in treating dysentery and indigestion.

Tigernuts belong to a group of fat soluble compounds with unique antioxidant properties. Antioxidants protect the body from free radicals which are the molecules with unshared electron. The unshared electron interacts with oxygen to create reactive oxygen species which is damaging to the body. Vitamin E also protects the body by stopping the development of reactive oxygen species. Research has proven that vitamin E has colorectal cancer prevention properties.

Good vegan diet

Vegan diets are more efficient when the iron intake isn’t diminished. When you add tigernuts to your diet, then your overall health becomes better because this vegetable root has high iron content in it. Tigernuts contain more iron than cow milk and as much as liver or red meat. You can snack on tiger nuts or bake them with tigernut flour. You can add plenty of vitamins and minerals by eating tigernuts. It strengthens your whole body.

Purported aphrodisiac

There are some who say that tigernuts milk mixed with date palm and coconut milk is one of the “most powerful aphrodisiacs” in the world. There is also a claim that it boosts fertility and increases chances of multiple birth occurrences.  These claims have, however, not been scientifically proven.

Commercial benefits

The use of the tigernut is not limited to nutrition. Since recent studies have found that tiger nuts are brimming with vitamins and minerals, they can also be exported for commercial purposes.  Northern Nigeria grows and supplies this nut to other parts of the country.

Until recently, few people paid attention to tigernut; but as awareness of its nutritional benefits continue to grow, the mallams peddling the nuts are beginning to get more patronage and the nuts are becoming more expensive. One of the hawkers, when asked why the price had risen so much, said, “Before I buy bag for N7000, now I buy one bag N17,000.”

This means that anyone with business acumen can go into the business of selling tigernuts and even exporting to other African countries that do not have them. The foreign exchange earned from this can contribute to the dwindling economy.

Caution in consumption

Tigernuts, as already mentioned, are a good source of nutritional fibre. Fibre aids digestion. However, excessive intake can lead to stomach problems like bloating, diarrhoea and flatulence. This is why the Unites States’ National Institute of Health suggests that adults should eat between 20 and 35 grams of fibre per day.

Moreover, the high fat content in tigernuts means high calories. To this end, the Harvard Medical School has suggested that when you add tigernut to your diet, you should also look for other healthy nutritional sources for lowering calories to counter this effect. This snack could increase your weight if you don’t do this.

The University of Chicago also states that for children under two years, about 75 per cent of them develop nut allergies on their first exposure. A serious allergic reaction is known as anaphylaxis which can cause stomach collapse, low blood pressure and loss of consciousness.

Despite these few possible side effects,  Tigernuts have more positives than negatives .

Milk is an important part of our diet. We begin drinking it when we are young, but our intake decreases as we get older.

Some people shy away from it because they fear that it will add too much fat to their diet. Others leave it out because they believe that they no longer need it. You are never too old to reap the rewards of drinking milk. It is a great source of vitamins and nutrients, and it has several health benefits, such as

Calcium:

Milk is the best source of calcium that we can supply to our body. Calcium protects the body from major chronic ailments such as cancer, bone loss, arthritic conditions, migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndrome, and obesity in children. It also functions as a healthy aid in losing unwanted fats and reducing weight. Calcium is an essential mineral in the creation of bone matter, and bone mineral density measurements rely highly on calcium as the main support structure of our body.

Heart Health:

Although most of the focus of calcium is on bones, it has also been shown to reduce cardiovascular disease and the chances of strokes. Two long-term studies in Japan have positively shown a correlation between daily calcium intake and a reduction in stroke, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, grab some milk for a healthier heart! Furthermore, the magnesium and potassium content in milk both act as vasodilators, which reduces blood pressure, increases blood flow to vital organs, and reduces the stress on the heart and cardiovascular system. The peptides found in milk are also believed to inhibit the creation of ACEs, (angiotensin-converting enzymes), which increase blood pressure.

Healthy Bones:

As mentioned above, milk is rich in calcium, which is essential for growth and the proper development of strong bone structure. Bone disorders such as osteoporosis can be prevented with a significant daily intake of it. Children deprived of cow’s milk have an increased chance of suffering from bone fractures when injured, and their healing time will be significantly higher if they don’t have a steady stream of calcium to aid in the regrowth of bone matter.

Healthy Teeth:

Encouraging children and youngsters to drink milk will give them excellent dental health, as milk protects the enamel surface against acidic substances. Drinking milk for energy and health would also lessen the frequency of children consuming soft drinks, thus reducing the risk of decaying teeth and weak gums.

Rehydration:

Fluids are an integral part of the human body, and the body needs to be frequently replenished with liquids as they are used up within the body. Water is essential for growing children and they must drink at least six to eight glasses of fluid every day.It contains a good quantity of water molecules and is considered the best fluid for rehydration, outside of drinking actual water. Water makes up more than 80% of our body mass, and the balance of fluids in our body is essential for every single process in our body. That is why dehydration is such a major and dangerous problem, as it threatens all of our metabolic functions. So, if you can’t find any water, grab a glass of milk!

 Skin Care:

Milk is also good for treating dry skin, so if you have dry skin, apply milk on your face and other affected areas, leave it on for about 15 minutes and then wash it off.The milk solids nourish and smooth your skin. The lactic acid present in milk is known to aid in removing dead skin cells, thereby rejuvenating your skin and keeping it fresh. Finally, simply drinking milk, due to its impressive content of vitamin A, helps to boost the health of the skin from inside the body, particularly since the antioxidant potential of milk helps to eliminate free radicals, the dangerous byproducts of cellular metabolism that are partially responsible for premature aging of the skin, resulting in wrinkles and age spots.

Improving Diet and Vitamin Intake:

According to medical research, drinking milk considerably improves our intake of vital minerals and vitamins. A person who consumes a carton of whole milk doubles his chances of fulfilling his calcium requirement for the day, whereas another person consuming a can of carbonated soda may actually lower his calcium levels by 1/3. Calcium, along with all of the other essential minerals listed above, are necessary for the daily diet in order to ensure proper functioning of every aspect of our body.

Acidity Reduction:

Consumption of milk products can also help in reducing acidity throughout the body. Drinking cold milk specifically provides relief from acidity.

Wholesome Food:

It contains many vitamins and minerals to keep you fit, healthy and strong. A full glass of milk contains vitamins A and B for good eyesight and increasing red blood cell count, carbohydrates for vitality and energy, potassium for proper nerve function, magnesium for muscular function, phosphorous for energy release, and proteins for body repair and growth. It also keeps your body functioning at a youthful level as you get older, more so than some other vitamins and minerals.

Cancer:

Intake of milk may also provide relief to those suffering from colon cancer. New study suggests that a diet rich in dairy products may slightly extend lives of people diagnosed with colon cancer.