What is milk?

The chemical composition of milk can vary a lot depending upon the animal that produces it. There are a number of factors that affect the composition of milk including the age of the animal and how healthy it is. Milk is produced by the mammary glands of certain animals. The first humans to have used cow’s milk as part of their diet were from the Middle East. 

Milk has 87% of water, 4% of Milk Fat, and almost 5% of Lactose in it. It also has proteins and a small quantity of minerals.

Cream of milk

You may have noticed that if you leave milk to stand out for a while it develops a layer of cream. This cream is like a thick skin that can be spooned away. If you look at this cream under the microscope you will notice large spheres floating in the cream. Each of these large globules is surrounded by a thin layer. These spheres are the fat present in the milk. This fat is a mixture of triglycerides. Since this fat is an oil-in-water emulsion, shaking or stirring causes the fat to break up.

Why is milk important

Milk is very important to growing children. Here are just some of the things that milk does and why your mother insists you have that glass of milk.

• Milk contains protein, which are polymers of amino acids critical for growth and repair.
• Milk is a source of Calcium for your body, helping you to build stronger bones and teeth. 
• Milk has Magnesium, which is important for muscle function.
• Milk is rich with vitamins, Vitamin B-12 helps in production of healthy cells, while Vitamin A helps to promote good eyesight.
• Zinc in the milk helps in boosting your immunity
• Riboflavin present promotes healthy skin.

So remember to grab your glass of milk to ensure you grow up as a healthy child.