Is Milk Good for You?

Is milk actually good for you? You may be wondering if dairy products-including milk, yogurt, and cheese-are good for your health or not.

Milk has some well-publicized benefits. It can be a supplemental source of hydration; a welcome alternative to water and sugary sports drinks. Also, milk contains calcium and vitamin D, both of which are necessary for a healthy body and strong bones.

In addition, you can buy "fortified" milk that contains higher levels of vitamin D and calcium (much the same enhancement is offered by fortified orange juice brands as well). Of course, there are also some downsides to milk.

Milk is, to be crude, the "nursing mucus" of another species-as far as we know, no other species intentionally seeks out and drinks the milk of another species. We do, though. Also, "whole milk" contains higher fat levels than skim and 2% varieties of milk. Those who have to worry about fat intake or high cholesterol should consider sticking to skim milk, or using a non-dairy milk such as soy milk.

Cheese is another dairy product that many of us love and enjoy, especially when paired with red wine. Some cheeses, however, may contain chemicals used in the maturing and processing stages.

Yogurt, yet another popular dairy product, contains active bacteria cultures. Popular brands such as Yoplait Yoplus and Activia tout the health-enhancing benefits of regular yogurt intake-the yogurt cultures add to the "good" bacterial flora in your digestive tract.

There are also hidden benefits of milk consumption. Namely, milk encourages you to partake in other healthy activities, such as eating cereal or steel-cut oatmeal in the morning. These foods are rich in fiber and improve digestion. Many of us don't get enough fiber in our diets. Milk is also great when you are adding a nutritional booster such as Ovaltine to it. This encourages regular vitamin and mineral consumption.

Perhaps more important, milk consumption should be considered for its other indirect benefit: when you are drinking it, you aren't drinking carbonated sugary sodas, which have little to no nutritional value. In fact, such sodas are believed to contribute to obesity, tooth decay, and other health problems.

Whether you choose to go dairy or not, the benefits seem to outweigh the risks for most of us. Yogurt, milk, and cheese can be a part of your balanced diet. Obviously, if you are lactose intolerant, you should never drink milk. Instead, go for a lactose-free milk alternative.