Older adults who drink three cups of dairy milk a day can increase their brain's level of a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the brain from the damage that accompanies aging and aging-related diseases.
Drinking at least three servings of milk or eating dairy foods each day is a good way for seniors, like Doris, to get vitamin D and calcium, and protein.
Drinking milk is beneficial for health regardless of your age. Milk is an excellent vitamin D and calcium source to keep up muscle strength, maintain healthy bones, and prevent osteoporosis. Still, low or non-fat milk is the best choice for the elderly.
Older adults aged 70+ are recommended to have three and a half to four serves per day of foods from the dairy food group, which includes milk, cheese or yoghurt. This is to ensure they meet higher calcium requirements to maintain strong muscles and bones. For more information, head over to recommended dairy intake.
The good news is, we know the ideal balance to support both bone health and iron levels. Research shows the ideal balance between these issues is 500ml (16oz) milk per day. This is the spot that gives them enough calcium and vitamin D to stay healthy but won't have a negative impact on their appetite or iron levels.
Even though many nutrients are found in milk, some seniors may not want to drink it because it makes them feel sick and bloated. Like any other food item, it's important for seniors who want to drink milk to take a balanced approach. Seniors should avoid excessive consumption and limit it to a glass or two a day.
Around 240 ml consumption of milk every day provides you with 30 per cent of the daily recommended intake of calcium. Not just this, milk also has protein, fat, vitamin D and vitamin B12, which makes it a super healthy food.
Drinking more dairy milk may improve brain health in older adults, KU Medical Center researchers find. Older adults who drink three cups of dairy milk a day can increase their brain's level of a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the brain from the damage that accompanies aging and aging-related diseases.
Age 60 and older
Drinking 1 cup of milk per day of either whole, 2%, 1%, or nonfat dairy milk, provides 8 grams of protein in your day. Therefore, milk is an easy way to get close to the recommended daily amount of protein for an adult 60 and older.
Which type of milk is best for the elderly? Low-fat or non-fat milk is a good source of vitamin D and other nutrients. The elderly may drink fresh milk, but those who have lactose-related intolerance may choose lactose-free versions.
Bananas are good for the elderly because they may relieve symptoms of anxiety and depression, brighten the mood, and enhance restful sleep. In addition, bananas are typically well-tolerated by seniors who may not have an appetite if they're living with emotional health issues.
Almond milk
This popular and delicious alternative is great for lactose-intolerant seniors who are seeking a low-calorie option. One cup of unsweetened almond milk only contains an estimated 40 calories, compared to 149 calories in whole milk.
Experts generally recommend that older adults consume at least 1.7 liters of fluid per 24 hours. This corresponds to 57.5 fluid ounces, or 7.1 cups.
Meeting Calcium Needs with Milk
Milk serves as an excellent source of calcium, with around 300 milligrams per 8-ounce glass. To meet dietary calcium requirements, women need 1,000 milligrams per day between ages 19 and 50 and 1,200 milligrams after age 51, according to the federal Office of Dietary Supplements.
The American Heart Association recommends up to one egg a day for most people, fewer for people with high blood cholesterol, especially those with diabetes or who are at risk for heart failure, and up to two eggs a day for older people with normal cholesterol levels and who eat a healthy diet.
Unpasteurized milk and dairy products, fried foods, high-sodium foods, and certain raw produce are among the foods to avoid or limit at any age.
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommends drinking one to two glasses of milk daily. For the six billion people around the world who regularly consume milk, that adds up to 2.4 billion liters every day – or the capacity of 960 Olympic swimming pools.
Milk might be healthy and nutritious, but drinking too much of it in a day does not guarantee better health. Excessive intake of anything is harmful even if it is something as healthy as milk. As per a Swedish study, drinking too much milk in a day can be linked with mortality and increased risk of fracture.
Cheese is an excellent calcium and vitamin D source. Hence, pasteurized firm cheese is a perfect addition to an older person's food plan. However, soft cheeses such as brie, goat cheese, and camembert have high moisture levels and low acidity, so that they may contain illness-causing bacteria.
Drinking too much milk can cause digestive issues such as bloating, cramps, and diarrhea. If your body is not able to break down lactose properly, it travels through the digestive system and is broken down by gut bacteria. Because of this reason, gassiness and other digestive issues can happen.
Drink milk after exercise to strengthen muscles. Because milk is rich in protein, it can help with weight loss and muscle building. Protein-rich foods like milk can promote weight loss by improving metabolism, increasing feelings of fullness after meals, and reducing daily calorie intake.
Drinking 1 litreliter of milk every day is not inherently dangerous for most people. Milk is a good source of calcium, protein, and other essential nutrients that are important for bone health, muscle growth, and overall health.