Why You Should Drink Milk

Eating in the cafeteria at school I see a lot of people not drinking milk and I hear people say they don’t like the taste of it. Milk, though, contains a good dose of calcium and other minerals that are essential for a healthy diet.



Unlike other sugar infested drinks that are supposed to be good for you, milk is a naturally-rich nutrient rich beverage. According to National Dairy Council, the recommended daily amount for calcium is 1,000 milligrams for young adults and 1,200 for adults 50 and over. A cup of milk alone contains 300 milligrams of calcium. Daily amount of Potassium is 4,700 milligrams and milk has 360 milligrams of this per a serving. As you can see it is an obvious shortcut to get to the recommended daily amount that majority of the people don’t make. ("Why You Should…”)



Not only is milk nutrient rich but it also helps build strong bones and teeth. According to Dr. Brazillian calcium in milk helps improve bone density and "Denser bones mean less likelihood of stress fractures and a lower risk of osteoporosis – a major public health threat for over 40 million Americans,". As we grow older our body starts to draw from our bones to maintain other functions so it is important to start at a young age with getting the recommended calcium in order to support your body later on. Calcium is also important in maintain homeostasis in your blood. If there isn’t enough then the blood cells start to draw calcium from you bones leading to osteoporosis. (Woolston)



People who drink milk also tend to be on the skinner side and have an overall healthier diet than those who choose not to. Dr. Brazillian says “By some estimates, about 12 percent of adolescents' total calories come from sodas and sugar-sweetened beverages. Low-fat or fat-free milk can go a long way to change these numbers and add a nutritional, developmental advantage to growing bodies." With obesity on the rise, a glass of milk can contribute to weight loss, strong bones and overall health. (Woolston)





As you can see by not drinking milk you are more at risk for bone diseases and less healthy diet. There are many ways you can add milk to your diet by pouring in on your cereal in the morning or having a glass before you go to bed. There should be no reason that you aren’t getting the recommend daily amount of calcium if you have a couple of glasses of milk a day.

"Why You Should Drink Milk." Healthy Food Guide. Web. 17 Apr. 2012.

Woolston, Chris. "Milk: How Much Should You Drink?" Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2010. Web. 17 Apr. 2012.