Is Skim Milk Healthy?
Skim milk is a type of diary product that generally contains less than 0.5% milk fat. It is made by removing much of the fat from whole milk and is often preferred for its nutritional value. There are many benefits to drinking skim milk, which can range from reducing body weight to building muscles and staying fit.
Most dairy cows produce milk that has a high animal fat content. This milk is sometimes spun in steel tanks until the fat rises to the top of the container, while the protein-rich liquid settles below. The bottom layer is then separated, cleaned and packaged as skim milk. An alternative is low-fat milk, which has between one and two percent fat.
Although the fat has been removed, a single serving of skim milk typically contains more nutrients than whole milk. This is because the reduction of fat makes room for a lot more nutrients per serving. A glass of fat-free milk generally contains a higher amount of protein, calcium and potassium than other types of cow's milk. Another benefit is that skim has lower levels of cholesterol, which can contribute to heart disease and strokes.
The extra protein in skim milk is often very useful to body-builders or people under great physical strain. Skim contains casein protein, which can take up to several hours to digest and break down inside the body. This property strengthens and preserves muscles over time. Some people choose to drink it before sleep, because it supplies the body with nutrients during long periods when no other food is being consumed.
Milk, in general, is often credited as an excellent source of vitamins. Whole milk is rich in vitamins A and D, which help improve eyesight and bone structure. When the fat is trimmed off, most of the vitamin content is lost. To compensate for this disadvantage, many manufacturers artificially add these vitamins to the skim milk. The final product often has the same amount of vitamins as whole milk, but with the added benefit of fewer calories and less fat.
Fat-free milk also is often used by people wishing to lose weight. Studies have shown that this type of milk not only significantly reduces the amount of fat intake, but also helps the metabolism digest food faster. Skim milk has often been used in weight-loss plans, although the results of following such programs have often varied between people.
Written by S. Zaimov
