14 DAY TRIAL // Drinking plenty of milk benefits not just our bones and muscles but also our brain, researchers with the University of Kansas in the US argue in a recent paper in the journal Clinical Nutrition.
The scientists say that, having carried out a series of experiments with the help of volunteers, they found evidence that milk consumption protects the brain against oxidative stress.
In doing so, milk likely reduces a person's risk of developing Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and other neurodegenerative diseases, the University of Kansas specialists explain.
How milk affects the human brain
As part of their work, the researchers behind this investigation scanned the brain of 60 volunteers. The focus was on determining each of the volunteers' levels of a naturally occurring antioxidant known as glutathione.
Apart from looking at the chemical profile of their brain, the scientists questioned the study participants about their dietary habits, regular milk consumption included.
It was discovered that, when compared to the volunteers who were not in the habit of drinking milk on a regular basis, those who did had higher levels of the powerful antioxidant glutathione in their brain.
What this means is that their brain was better protected against oxidative stress, the scientists detail. Interestingly enough, the same was found to be true about the study participants who often ate other dairy products.
“We have long thought of milk as being very important for your bones and very important for your muscles. This study suggests that it could be important for your brain as well,” said specialist Debra Sullivan.
A reduced risk of several diseases
Neurodegenerative conditions like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's, together with several other diseases, are known to be associated with cell damage resulting from oxidative stress, Science Daily informs.
Hence, researcher Debra Sullivan and colleagues believe that, by boosting the levels of the glutathione in the body and especially in the brain, milk and other dairy products help keep people healthy.
In case anyone was wondering, it appears that three servings of dairy per day, be it milk or cheese, are more than enough to reduce oxidative stress in the brain, maybe even in other organs as well.