Table 1

Milk composition and percent contribution to the daily dietary reference intakes of some nutrients in 0.5 l whole milk, and their main health effects

Milk component
Concentration in 1 l whole milka
Percent contribution of 0.5 l whole milk to reference intakeb
Health effects

Fat
33 g/l

Energy rich
Saturated fatty acids
19 g/l

Increase HDL, small dense LDL, and total cholesterol. Inhibition of bacteria, virus
Oleic acid
8 g/l

Prevent CHD, gives stable membranes
Lauric acid
0,8 g/l

Antiviral and antibacterial
Myrisitc acid
3,0 g/l

Increase LDL and HDL
Palmitic acid
8 g/l

Increase LDL and HDL
Linoleic acid
1,2 g/l

Omega-6 fatty acid
Alpha linolenic a
0,75 g/l

Omega-3 fatty acid
Protein
32 g/l
30–40%
Essential amino acids, bioactive proteins, peptides. Enhanced bioavailability
Lactose
53 g/l

Lactosylation products
Calcium
1,1 g/l
40–50%
Bones, teeth, blood pressure, weight control
Magnesium
100 mg/l
12–16%
For elderly, asthma treatment
Zinc
4 mg/l
18–25%
Immune function. Gene expression
Selenium
37 ug/l
30%
Cancer, allergy, CHD
Vitamin E
0,6 mg/l
2 %
Antoixidant
Vitamin A
280 ug/l
15–20%
Vision, cell differentiation
Folate
50 ug/l
6 %
DNA synthesis, cell division, amino acid metabolism
Riboflavin
1,83 mg/l
60–80%
Prevent ariboflavinosis
Vitamin B12
4,4 ug/l
90%
Key role in folate metabolism

a data from USDA Food Composition Data [9].

b Dietary reference intake (DRI) for men and women [4].

Haug et al. Lipids in Health and Disease 2007 6:25   doi:10.1186/1476-511X-6-25