Milk drinking children become healthier adults

The foundation for a healthy adulthood starts during the childhood years. During this time, most of the crucial building blocks of the body are formed, and some of the nutrition that is neglected here my haunt in later years. That’s why the habit of drinking milk should be instilled in people early on. Milk is one of the most nutritionally complete foods available, containing a host of vitamins, minerals and macro-nutrients that are important for growing children. Take calcium, for instance, which people actually need as early as childhood to support their bones when they become grown-ups.

Study revealed that bone growth during the first few years of life could have a strong influence on the onset of osteoporosis, or weakening of the bones, later in life. Calcium needs are highest during the childhood and teen years because bones are growing fast then and calcium must be added into bones to make them strong. Milk, life other dairy products, is among the best sources of calcium in the diet. It also contains vitamins D, which aids in the absorption of calcium and enhances bone mineralization.


Moreover, several studies have linked adult osteoporosis fractures to low milk consumption during childhood. Children who avoid dairy products tend to have lower bone mass and higher risk of bone fracture. Aside from its function in bone growth, calcium has other roles in the body. Calcium from milk strengthens a child’s teeth and keeps gum tissue healthy, which can save from some of those dreaded trips to the dentist when they grow up. Calcium also helps maintain a regular heartbeat, blood pressure and neural impulse transmission. Much like antioxidants, it is involved in proper blood clotting mechanism and protects cells from radical damage.

But calcium is jus one of the many nutrients in milk. Being a great source of protein, promotes muscle growth. Good muscle growth is the early year helps lead to children to mature into fit and well built adults. Provides vitamin A, which helps maintain normal vision, supports the integrity of the immune system, and keeps the skin healthy as well.

In addition to its nutritional benefits, increased milk consumption has also been linked to the reduced risk of other adult health problems such type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and even cancer.

So instead of giving children sweet sodas that actually have little nutrition value, give them milk instead. The all around nourishment that milk provides during childhood builds that crucial foundation for them grow into healthier adults and by encouraging them drink milk, children start to learn the habit of making healthy food choices that they would carry over into their adult years.