Table of contents:
- What's the difference between full cream milk and skim milk?
- Is it true that skim milk is healthier than full cream milk?
- How about skim milk?
- So, choose full cream or skim milk?
Milk is a source of protein for your body. Not only for babies or young children, many dairy products are also offered for teenagers, adults, and the elderly. In fact, milk is offered in various types, such as full cream milk and skim milk. For those of you who are on a diet or are reducing your fat intake, you may prefer skim milk to full cream milk. But, which one is actually healthier?
What's the difference between full cream milk and skim milk?
Both types of milk are distinguished by the fat content in them. Full cream milk has a higher fat content than skim milk. In the production process, the fat content in skim milk is deliberately eliminated so that it is very low, less than 0.5%. Meanwhile, the fat content in full cream milk is around 3.25%. Because of this fat content, full cream milk has higher calories compared to skim milk.
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The fat content in different milk generally does not affect other nutrients present in milk. The nutrients between full cream milk and skim milk remain the same, such as vitamin D, vitamin A, calcium, phosphorus, vitamin B2, and vitamin B12. However, the content of omega-3 fatty acids in the two types of milk is different.
The more fat content in the milk, the higher the omega-3 fatty acid content in the milk. Omega-3 fatty acids are very beneficial for your heart and brain health. In fact, a study linking the content of omega-3 fatty acids in milk with diabetes showed that those who drank milk with a high omega-3 fatty acid content had a 44% lower chance of developing diabetes.
Is it true that skim milk is healthier than full cream milk?
When you choose skim milk, you are choosing milk with less fat content. Meanwhile, full cream milk contains more fat, but it is not necessarily unhealthy for you.
Milk does contain saturated fat which, according to several studies, is linked to heart disease. Thus, people prefer skim milk which contains less fat than full cream milk. However, several recent studies have also shown that the saturated fat content in milk does not cause heart disease.
So, full cream milk is not as bad as you think. In fact, research published in the Scandinavian Journal of Primary Health in 2013 shows that milk fat is associated with lower rates of abdominal obesity compared to lower fat milk. Participants in this study who had a high-fat milk intake had a 48% lower risk of developing abdominal obesity. Meanwhile, those who consume low-fat milk have a 53% higher risk of experiencing abdominal obesity.
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Another study published by Nutrition Research in 2014 also reported that full cream milk can reduce the risk of obesity, especially abdominal obesity. In one review, 11 out of 16 studies also showed that high-fat dairy consumption is associated with a lower risk of obesity. Some experts argue that the higher fat content in milk can make a person satisfied and full after consuming it so that he does not eat more.
In other words, consumption of full cream milk can help you control your weight more. Several studies have also shown that consumption of full cream milk can help prevent weight gain.
How about skim milk?
Skim milk can be the best choice for those of you who are on a diet. Its low fat content makes skim milk less calories. However, skim milk can still provide the protein you need, about 8 grams of protein per glass of milk. Skim milk is also high in calcium, around 300 mg per glass.
However, be careful, although skim milk contains less fat, it does not necessarily contain less sugar. Usually foods or drinks labeled low-fat or fat-free have a higher sugar content. More sugar is added to this product to improve the taste, after the fat content is reduced. You need to know that the more fat content, the better the taste of a food or drink.
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So, choose full cream or skim milk?
It all depends on your preferences and preferences. Whatever the choice, both can be healthy choices in your diet. Full cream milk or skim milk both have the nutrients your body needs. You should also adjust it to the needs and the food you eat in a day if you want to consume full cream or skim milk.
If you are in the mood for weight loss, skim milk may be the right choice. However, after drinking skim milk and you are not feeling full yet, you should not over-eat your meals to prevent weight gain.
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