Milk: Nature’s Wellness Drink

Are you slurping down herb-infused, caffeine-pumped energy drinks because you’ve been sold on the notion they are good for you? For sure, some aren’t bad - and some may even be beneficial for health - but there are plenty that are mere sugar, flavoring, artificial ingredients, and high doses of caffeine that have even come under fire from health experts. Why not sip on a tall, cold nutritious glass of milk, instead?Nature’s wellness drink: Did you know that milk is considered “nature’s wellness drink”? The cold, creamy white beverage is full of calcium, vitamin D, phosphorous and a balance of other nutrients that have been proven to build your bones and teeth as well as promote the healthy function of your muscles and blood vessels. And in the midst of all the new vitamin waters, energy drinks, and other artificially contrived beverages, milk is a natural, healthy choice.Milk provides a unique balance of nutrients. According to well-known nutrition expert Dr Wendy Bazilian, author of The SuperFoodsRx Diet and co-owner of San Diego-based Bazilian’s Health Clinic, unlike most other “wellness” drinks, milk is naturally nutrient-rich and balanced with a unique proportion of carbs and protein – in addition to the bone-boosting calcium, phosphorous and vitamin D.Watching your fat intake or following a heart-healthy diet? No problem. Dr Bazilian, who recently partnered up with model Christie Brinkley for the ‘Drink Well. Live Well. gotmilk?’ campaign, recommends sipping on low-fat or fat-free milk. “Low-fat or fat-free varieties provide a lot of nutrients for very modest – worthwhile – calories,” she says. “Milk is also naturally low in sodium, and also contains potassium and plays a role in healthy blood pressure.”Milk builds strong bones. Milk builds strong bones and teeth where, according to Dr Bazilian, 99 percent of the body’s calcium is stored. Plus, hundreds of studies have shown that calcium in milk helps improve bone density.But how much milk is beneficial? Any amount of milk you drink is beneficial but Dr Bazilian recommends aiming for three (8-ounce) glasses a day. She says, “Three delicious glasses of nonfat or low-fat milk a day is all it takes to get 100 percent of your calcium needs met and 75 percent of your vitamin D and a host of other essential nutrients from high quality protein to potassium, phosphorus, vitamin A and vitamin B12.”So bottoms up to your health – drinking milk everyday will do your body good.www.sheknows.com