7 beneficial properties of milk for the brain — does it improve memory and improve mood?

Milk is considered a very controversial product in terms of the ratio of its beneficial and harmful properties for different organs of an adult. This problem is far from being fully investigated, although the results conducted research still tend towards the benefits of milk.

But as for the brain, most scientists claim that this organ needs dairy and fermented milk more than others. And it's not just the amino acid tryptophan, which gives the happiness hormone serotonin. Due to its unique composition, milk is indispensable as a source of building material for the central nervous system.

It also supports the efficiency and activity of brain activity, prolongs physical and mental youth, and improves memory.

7 useful properties

Many scientists who have conducted serious studies of the effect of milk and its derivatives on the central nervous system confidently assert that it is unlikely that any other products can contain a more useful composition for the brain.

This is especially true for children and, contrary to the opinion that appeared not so long ago, the elderly, especially women.

So, the following facts speak in favor of milk as a unique, useful and irreplaceable food in the human diet.

1. Protein as a building material

Protein is the building material of brain tissues, Improves blood circulation and protects against infections . Without protein, the body cannot exist at all.

Its types such as globulin, casein and albumin contain essential amino acids and underlie the vital activity of the main organ of the central nervous system, form immunity against any adverse effects of infections and improve blood circulation.

It is difficult to say at what age it is more difficult to do without these beneficial properties of milk. As for the myth of poor milk absorption by the gastrointestinal tract of an adult, nature has provided this nuance: hydrochloric acid in the stomach is needed to help digest all the complex components of milk, turning it into delicate flakes and helping assimilation.

2. Lactose for the nervous system

Milk contains carbohydrates, without which the nervous system cannot exist. The main carbohydrate that has become a stumbling block in the discussion about the benefits of milk is lactose. It must be in the body, as it is:

1. Healthier than sucrose;
2. Supports the vital activity of the nervous system as a whole;
3. Must be in the diet for heart and vascular diseases;
4. Forms lactic acid, which prevents the development of putrefaction processes and helps the assimilation of other substances necessary for the brain.

3. Fatty acids for the cardiovascular system

Milk contains the healthiest of all animal fats. It is found in the composition of cell membranes and is necessary for brain tissues, without it, many hormones will not appear.

Milk fat has a low melting point and is very easily digested. It is a source of essential fatty acids necessary for the cardiovascular system: arachidonic, linoleic and linolenic acids and others. Learn more about the benefits of dairy products for the cardiovascular system see in a separate article.

4. Improving the functionality of neurons

Milk improves the functionality of neurons at any age, thereby improving memory and reducing the risk of dementia.

With regular use, memorability improves, reaction speed increases, coordination of movements and speech abilities improve.

5. Prevention of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases

Dairy products help produce the antioxidant glutathione, which neutralizes oxidation processes, thereby preventing many age-related diseases of the nervous system, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.

6. Improving mood and emotional state

Milk improves mood, weakens negative reactions to stress, and prevents depression. Contains the amino acid tryptophan, which is involved in the production of the hormone of joy serotonin.

Serotonin participates in growth processes, is a precursor of melatonin, which in turn improves the quality of sleep, without which there can be no complete rest for the nervous system.

7. The content of other important substances

Milk has an excellent composition of substances necessary for the entire nervous system: calcium, phosphorus, vitamins, milk fats and acids, which are extremely necessary for brain tissues and are absorbed by 98%.

Also check out the infographic

How much should I drink per day?

The amount of milk consumption recommended by nutritionists depends on many factors: age, gender, physical and mental stress, etc.

It is important to remember that this is a liquid, but still a food product, not a drink. Therefore, milk is by no means You can't replace the water . Otherwise, there will be an excess of product consumption.

To replenish the daily amount of nutrients an adult needs only 1-2 glasses of milk per day.

Since this is not a drink, but a meal, it is necessary to follow some rules for its use.

1. It should not be mixed with other products, it should be consumed as an independent dish. The exception is porridges made from whole grains: it is better to cook them in water. adding milk at the end of cooking.
2. It is undesirable to drink it cold. Useful &8212; warm or hot.
3. With poor digestibility, you can add a third of a teaspoon of turmeric and ginger to warm milk. cinnamon or saffron, use boiled milk, although it has different properties than raw milk. You can &8212; fermented dairy products.

Overview of other dairy products

For those who for some reason cannot consume milk, it is recommended to introduce other dairy products into the diet. They have the same beneficial properties, but for various reasons may be more suitable for maintaining brain health in some cases.

1. Yogurt. Replaces milk for all its beneficial properties. It does not cause problems with assimilation even for those who do not tolerate lactose at all.
2. Yogurt, fermented baked milk, kefir. These fermented dairy products are mandatory in the diet of a person who wants to maintain his neuropsychiatric state at a normal level.
3. Cottage cheese. Is required in the diet for hypertension. Cottage cheese is also useful for atherosclerosis of cerebral vessels.
4. Cream. Are good for their high content of tryptophan, which is involved in the production of the hormone of joy serotonin.
5. Butter. Without it, a full-fledged human existence and the development of his intellect are impossible.

Useful Video

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Dairy products have been in the human diet for thousands of years. They are one of the main sources of all the necessary substances for the development of a healthy brain and maintaining its full working capacity until the most mature years of life.