Powdered milk: product characteristics and its effects on health

Associations caused by the word "milk" may be different for individual people.The general thing is that the thought of a liquid product is almost always the first. But it is just as important to know about what its dry variety is.

Powdered milk is just a powder, for which it is dried according to a special technology that pasteurization and normalization of the usual milk is carried out. Most often for use it is diluted in warm water in exact proportions. There are two subspecies of powdered milk, which differ in dissolution rate. The first attempts to make a similar product began in the first half of the XIX century. But only by the end of the century was it possible to develop a full-fledged industrial technology and debug its massive use.

Most modern factories that produce dry milk, apply spray systems. They are highly productive, but they are able to keep the quality at a high level. The previous version of the machines - roller type dryers were preserved only in the confectionery industry. They appreciate the ability to replace expensive cocoa butter. For retail sale, milk powder on roller dryers do not, because they are not effective enough.

It is customary to divide dry milk into whole and devoid of fat. An instant form is made by mixing these two products. The resulting combination is treated with steam to humidify. According to technology, it should form lumps. As soon as this happens, drying is carried out again.

The content of substances in whole milk powder duplicates the chemical composition of traditional milk, only the concentration is increased. Laboratory analysis shows that there is:

• protein;
• various fatty components;
• lactose;
• trace elements;
• irreplaceable vitamins.

The nutritional value of dry milk ranges from 372 to 549 kcal per 0.1 kg of powder. Therefore, excessively active nutrition of this product threatens to increase the size of the waist. Whole powdered milk contains 4% water, and skim milk contains 1% more. In this case, the fat concentration is not equal to zero, but it decreases from 25 to 1%. The value of proteins (up to 36%) and milk sugars (up to 52%) increases.

At the same time, 2/5 of the mineral components are lost, only 6% remain. But the energy value of the fat-free product is minimal. Milk powder is rich:

• potassium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• by sodium.

For your information: large batches of milk powder are shipped in 25 kg bags. In order to return the original proportions of substances at home and get the “true” milk or a product close to it, you will have to carefully observe the proportions when diluted with water. The density of the whole and defatted product is 1233 kg per 1 cu. m

Important: all this information applies to powdered milk obtained from cow milk; but it may also be mare - however, this type of food appeared only recently.

The differences are manifested even in the fact that dry mare's milk is obtained not at high, but at low temperature. This type of drying is called sublimation. Only this method allows you to preserve the valuable qualities of the original product, which fresh milk loses within hours. According to people's perception and biological value, the sublimat reproduces the “original”.

It includes (and in the most rational proportions):

• a range of enzymes and fats;
• metallic and non-metallic trace elements;
• the most valuable amino acids;
• thiamine;
• folic acid;
• vitamins A, C, E.

Half a liter of drink is enough to close the need for ascorbic acid for 24 hours. Albumin, underlying mare's milk, is "softer" than casein. The digestive system is less loaded with its use. Even the preservation of a noticeable amount of fat is only welcome - because it is one of the best forms of fatty substances on the planet. Accelerated splitting and equally rapid assimilation bring extraordinary benefits.

Dry milk powder has been used as an integral part of baby food for a very long time. The reasons may be very different, now it is mainly financial considerations. But it is worth noting that a full-fledged, designed specifically for children nutrition contains many times more fat and carbohydrates. Such a shift in the composition allowed the developers of baby food consciously, because it must support the rapid development. As shown by a number of scientific studies, a growing baby’s body consumes as much energy as a lumberjack or weight lifter doesn’t need.

Skimmed milk powder for nutritional value roughly corresponds to protein. But over 50% of the energy reserve in it falls on carbohydrates. Accordingly, this product is suitable for people with a normal physique (without deviations to obesity or unjustified thinness). Whole type of milk powder is recommended, on the contrary, for those seeking to increase body weight. In addition to the two main varieties, so-called lactose-free milk is often put on the shelves of retail chains.

Many people think that this is some kind of synthesized, unnatural product, saturated with substitutes. But in reality, this is not the case; such a drink is even useful for people with impaired lactose absorption.

To release cow's milk from lactose, it is passed through special membranes. This process is very complicated, which dramatically increases the cost of the finished product. In all other respects, it is indistinguishable from "simple" milk. Judging by the subjective feelings, the only difference is the sweetish taste. It is only necessary to develop a habit for it; Those who do not have an allergy to lactose or intolerance to it, you can drink lactose-free milk without any fear.

There is one more type of powdered milk: produced without casein. This substance is designed to form the hooves and horns in animals. Accordingly, in the digestive system of calves there is everything necessary for the breakdown and assimilation of casein. But for the human body, it is not just zero value. It causes significant harm, and the matter is not in the mythical slags deposited in the vessels.

The fact is that under the influence of milk protein acidity grows in the stomach. Calcium is consumed to eliminate negative effects. Therefore, in reality, the use of ordinary milk instead of strengthening bones and muscles can provoke their weakening. In addition, casein is an exceptionally active allergen. And its use can contribute to the emergence of a number of diseases, and therefore milk without casein is a very valuable achievement of modern technology.

To the question whether powdered milk is good for the body or not, a positive answer has long been given. The chemical composition of the product is the same as that of the "real" milk, and all doubts on this score are just a prejudice. Development of viruses fighting viruses.It comes from the proteins in milk. Another reason to drink milk is suppression of insomnia and successful struggle with pain in the head.

For them, the properties of the product are important, allowing you to build muscle mass faster. For a similar reason, milk powder is also included in infant formula. Judging by the reviews, dry milk is better than fresh milk for people suffering from ailments of the gastrointestinal tract. It:

• absorbed to a greater extent;
• positive effect on acidity;
• copes with many types of pain;
• stops heartburn;
• stabilizes intestinal peristalsis.

The benefits of health brings not only a solid, but also a skimmed version of milk powder. It is especially important for those who are prone to excessive fullness. This product is also actively used for cosmetic purposes. It improves the appearance and hair, and skin, and even nails. Wrinkles are reduced, it is possible to avoid the characteristic flabbiness.

It is worth noting that sometimes milk powder can be harmful. It is dangerous in the same cases as the cow (adjusted for changing the composition, of course). Purification of lactose and casein solves many problems, but not all. Moreover, allergies can occur to other components of milk, which can not be removed without imbalance.

With extreme caution it is worth to use powdered milk when breastfeeding. After all, those substances that almost do not affect the body of adults, for babies, are very dangerous. In old age it is undesirable to consume milk in a dry form, as well as in liquid form, in order to exclude the appearance of atherosclerosis. Minimum doses of milk are permissible when the joint is saturated with calcium salts.

As for diseases, the situation is as follows:

• with pancreatitis, you can drink powdered milk when remission occurs;
• in urolithiasis with phosphate stones, it is prohibited;
• It is advisable and even desirable for dieters to use moderate portions of the product.

To choose dry milk, you need to carefully check its storage period. In the whole product it is significantly less than in the nonfat product (8 and 36 months, respectively). Another important aspect is that the packaging should not be damaged. In high-quality dry milk there are only components “borrowed” from the natural whole drink. It is categorically unacceptable to use synthesized preservatives, as well as vegetable fat.

Real milk powder is colored only in cream or white. When there are impurities, they inevitably affect the color. A quality product has a uniform consistency. The formation of lumps is excluded, as well as the appearance of a precipitate when the powder is dissolved in water. One of these manifestations is enough to make sure that the milk does not meet the standards.

In everyday life, milk powder is used after recovery using water in the same way as the usual form. Including for cooking:

• baking;
• other confectionery products;
• sweet creams.

Diluted milk powder is required only with warm water, cold and hot liquids are equally unsuitable. The recommended dilution ratio is 1: 3. In this case, be sure to stir the liquid, otherwise it will stick together, lumps will appear. Then the milk is left alone for some time, so that the proteins swell. According to the dietary characteristics, skimmed milk is better than whole product.

It is suitable for holding fasting days and subject to complex diets. With the help of a drink containing a small amount of fat, it is easy to prepare various cereals and drinks. It is used to bake cakes or make sauces. It is recommended to drink powdered milk 1-2 hours before bedtime. The product, digesting quickly, stimulates the brain centers responsible for rest.

Cosmetic use of milk powder most often involves the use of masks. They are suitable for all skin types, and age does not matter. For your information: contrary to the common myth, there is little cholesterol in dry milk. Even egg powder contains much more of this substance. The general conclusion is that milk powder is more useful than harmful.

To fully use the purchased goods, excessive moisture and overheating should be avoided. Consumers are freed from the need to boil the product, since it is already thermally processed initially. You can add powdered milk to tea or coffee.Some people think that it is better to even abandon its dilution altogether, but you just need to enter it into some or other dishes. It is important: until the first year comes, children are advised to give this particular product, the traditional cow’s food cannot be digested. Allowed to use both in pure form and as a component of the milk mixture. Moreover, some experts believe that there is no meaning in retraining for ordinary dairy food.

Both skimmed and whole dry products should not be stored in hot weather. Leaving it at normal room temperature in a closed package, you can not worry about food quality up to 90 days. If the container is opened, you will have to drink milk three times faster. Least of all is the shelf life of a dry powder diluted with water: even inside the refrigerator, it will deteriorate on the fourth day.

To extend the storage time of the whole milk product, the remaining unused product is transferred to an impermeable container. The container should be made of glass or paper. Milk put in the fridge on the shelf. This technique allows you to increase the shelf life of a whole drink to 7 or 8 months. For skim this period will reach 12 months.

You will learn more about dry milk in the following video.