Do You Know What Makes Milk Safe?

Experts highlight the importance of milk consumption for strong immunity during the pandemic, and recommend that consumers choose packaged milk over milk sold openly with unknown contents from the perspective of hygiene and food safety. Research shows that milk consumption rates in Turkey are considerably lower compared to European countries, with the Turkish population drinking nearly one quarter of the amount consumed in European countries. In Turkey, where average per capita annual milk consumption is 276 litres, 39.7 litres consists of drinking milk, with the remainder made up of dairy products. Milk consumption in EU countries stands at 310 litres per capita, while in the USA it is around 278 litres per capita annually.   Prof. Dr. Neriman İnanç, Head of the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Nuh Naci Yazgan University Faculty of Health Sciences, emphasizes that milk is important at every stage of life, pointing out that the more than 40 nutrients contained in milk have a positive effect on the body's immune system by enabling the cells that form the defense system to function properly. İnanç notes that two glasses of milk consumed regularly every day can meet the entire daily mineral requirements of children and adults.  

11 reasons to consume milk:

1. Strengthens the immune system: With more than 40 nutrients it contains, milk is a natural protector against many ailments such as respiratory tract infections, flu and common cold, which are often seen as a result of immune system weakening following seasonal changes.
2. Milk is an extremely important protein source: 1 litre of milk contains 32 grams of protein. The proteins found in milk play an important role in the formation of cells and tissues, in the development of hair and nails, contribute greatly to growth and development, and help in the healthy development and functioning of muscles.
3. Replaces water lost in the body: Milk consists of a large amount of water molecules that enable rehydration, that is, replacing water lost in the body.
4. Enables bone development, prevents osteoporosis: Milk is a reservoir of calcium necessary for strengthening bones and maintaining bone health. Consuming 2 glasses of milk per day helps prevent osteoporosis.
5. Protects against heart disease: Milk and dairy products contain many nutrients such as protein, calcium and phosphorus that are effective in lowering blood fats and blood pressure. When used regularly on a daily basis, it plays a protective role against coronary heart disease and acts as a blood pressure regulator.
6. Prevents mineral loss during pregnancy: Minerals that decrease in mothers' bodies during pregnancy can be compensated with 2 glasses of milk per day.
7. Protects teeth: With its high content of calcium and phosphorus, milk fights microorganisms created by acidic and sugary foods, preventing tooth decay.
8. Improves skin: Thanks to the vitamins and minerals it contains, it protects skin health by reducing the risk of acne and skin inflammation.
9. Prevents weight gain: Milk, which is a food with a high glycemic index, increases the feeling of fullness when consumed at 2 glasses per day, preventing excessive weight gain.
10. Provides energy: Among the food groups we need for adequate and balanced nutrition, only milk contains carbohydrates, protein and fat together, which are effective in energy production.
11. Improves school performance: The B12 vitamin it contains positively affects the nervous system and transmission between nerves, increasing children's perception and learning capacity, while zinc and tyrosine positively affect cognitive development, attention, activity, behavior and motor development.

Tips on safe milk

Prof. Dr. U. Tansel Şireli, Deputy General Director of Ankara University Food Safety Institute, issued the following warnings regarding safe milk consumption in everyday life: "The recommendations provided by the World Health Organization for food must be followed without fail. Basic hygiene measures to prevent contamination must be applied for cheese, milk, yogurt, raw meat, vegetables and fruits and other foods sold openly. Street milk sold openly with unknown milking and storage conditions must definitely be avoided. For milk, pasteurized or UHT milk that has been heat-treated should be preferred in particular." The risks that openly sold milk and products made from such milk pose to human health and recommendations regarding packaged milk consumption are listed as follows:

• Milk sold openly, poured directly from a milkman's container into a container or plastic bag, may contain harmful bacteria and additives.
• Raw milk obtained by milking in non-sterile environments may be exposed to additional additives to ensure it lasts until it reaches the consumer, as it will deteriorate quickly due to hot air and sun.
• Boiling milk at home does not make it healthy because the temperature at which it is boiled with home facilities is not high enough to kill all bacteria and microorganisms. Additionally, there are losses in the nutritional content of milk that has been boiled for a few minutes.
• Ultra-high temperature processing (UHT) is a technology in which milk is heated at 135-140 degrees Celsius for 4 seconds. This process, which kills bacteria, is then continued by rapid cooling without affecting nutritional values. This process is carried out in a closed and sterile environment to prevent milk contamination.
• After the milk carton is opened, it should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed within three days.