Faq
The DairyBelle Q&A is here to answer any common questions that you might have.
If there is something more specific you need to know, feel free to fill in a query form and we'll get back to you ASAP
Why is dairy so good for you?
Dairy is rich in protein and calcium, which help build themuscles. Dairy also contains the amino acid tryptophan that can be converted to niacin (a vitamin). Niacin helps the body in the conversion of fats and carbohydrates into energy and with protein metabolism.
With thiamin and riboflavin, it helps to maintain a healthy nervous and digestive system. The amino acid tryptophan, of which milk is a good source, is a precursor of serotonin. Serotonin is a central neurotransmitter which acts as an inhibitor of certain pain pathways. It is also believed to help control mood and may even help you fall asleep.
Dairy is also the most important source of calcium in the diets of most people. Very few other foods provide such a concentrated source of calcium that is as readily available to be absorbed and used by the body.
Good health starts with dairy. Recent research has shown that eating low fat dairy foods has many health benefits including helping to reduce your risk of high blood pressure, osteoporosis and certain cancers, better manage your weight, and improve nutritional status.
How much dairy do you need a day to stay healthy?
If you’re between 1 and 12 years old, you should have 3 servings of milk dairy products every day. Teenagers need even more and should have 4 or more servings of dairy foods each day. Adults should have 2 or more servings of dairy per day.
Does dairy provide good quality protein?
Cow’s milk is an excellent source of high quality protein and provides essential amino acids to the diet. Milk protein is regarded as a high quality protein. High quality protein is both complete and easy to digest.
Why is calcium important in the diet?
Calcium is very important in your diet because your body requires it for so many different functions such as:
Building and maintaining strong bones and teeth in both children. It is found in blood, cells and body fluids. It plays an important role in muscle contraction and relaxation and helps maintain normal heartbeat. It helps to regulate blood clotting which is essential for wound healing. Calcium is invaluable for proper functioning of the nervous system by aiding in the transmission of nerve impulses. Calcium stimulates some hormone secretions and is involved in the activation of some enzyme reactions. Calcium helps regulate blood pressure. Calcium is also involved in immune defences.
And if that’s not enough calcium may play an important role in health: adequate calcium consumption throughout life can play a critical role in reducing the risk of developing osteoporosis.
According to scientific studies, calcium may be beneficial in reducing the risk of high blood pressure in some individuals, especially if it is derived from dietary sources such as milk and milk products. High blood pressure increases a person's risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Some findings indicate that calcium may offer protection from colon cancer in certain individuals. However, further studies are still needed to substantiate this potentially beneficial role. |
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How do I cope with lactose intolerance?
More than 80 % of the adult black population of South Africa are lactose intolerant and can experience gastrointestinal distress when drinking milk.
The easiest way of coping with dairy lactose is the use of fermented products. These products allow people who are allergic to milk to enjoy the benefits of a milk product that they might otherwise be denied (like calcium and potassium).
In the making of AB yoghurt, milk is fermented with AB starter cultures and in this process lactose starts breaking down. The advantage that AB culture yoghurt has over the other two types, is that the AB yoghurt can move through the stomach into the colon without breakdown. Even more lactose is removed in this way.
What dairy products can I eat if I'm lactose intolerant?
Fermented products with live active cultures such as yoghurt which normally contain less lactose (the cultures also help with the digestion of the lactose) and Matured cheeses such as cheddar, are usually tolerated well and may serve as an important source of calcium and other nutrients. Other dairy products that might also generally be well tolerated because of small amounts of lactose include cottage cheese and Mozzarella.
What are AB Cultures?
Yoghurt cultures consist of 2 specific bacteria, namely Streptococcus Thermophilus and Lactobacillus Bulgaricus. The AB cultures used during fermentation of yoghurt, have the ability to survive passage through the stomach and contribute to the natural bacteria already present in the lower gut.
Yoghurt with AB Cultures can:
Enhance digestion
Prevent diarrhea and constipation
Can have a positive health effect if used with antibiotics, which usually destroys the natural bacteria in the gut.
One of the strongest health claims for AB yoghurt is the high quality of nutrients available in a digestible form. The protein in AB yoghurt has a high biological value, and AB yoghurt is the best food source of vitamin B2 (riboflavin) and calcium. Furthermore, the calcium is better absorbed because of the presence of the milk carbohydrate called lactose.
Why is most milk homogenised and pasteurised?
Almost all milk is pasteurised, homogenised and fortified. Pasteurised milk has been treated with heat to kill any germs. Homogenised milks are mixed so the cream and water don’t separate. Milk is fortified with vitamin D (and vitamin A for low fat and skim milk) to make it even more healthful. Everyone needs these vitamins, and since almost everyone drinks milk, it’s a great way for people to get them.
Why is it better to eat pasteurised dairy products?
It is vital to pasteurise dairy products to inactivate harmful organisms that may cause diseases such as tuberculosis, malta fever, abortus and gastro-enteritis among others.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria that occur naturally in the human body, they are used to fight in the war against “bad” bacteria in your body.
Why are probiotics good for you?
Probiotics boost your immune system & treat your digestive problems such as a spastic colon. They can also help the body fight bacterial infections, such as food poisoning and infections linked to ulcers and stomach cancer. Probiotics also produce antifungal enzymes.
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Why would I need probiotics?
Poor eating habits, antibiotics and drinking to much alcohol can upset the digestive system. To maintain or restore a healthy balance in your digestive system probiotics are essential.
How often should I have probiotics?
The more regularly you can use probiotics the better! But start of slowly. It’s so easy with DairyBelle Good Morning Milk; just pour some over your and your families breakfast cereal every morning to ensure a healthy day.
What is lactose?
Lactose is the sugar found in milk. The sugar consists of glucose and galactose. Lactose gives milk a slightly sweet taste. Lactose is also the carbohydrate in milk.
What are the symptoms of lactose intolerance?
Many times the terms “milk allergy” and “lactose intolerance” are used interchangeably, creating confusion among people. However, they are different health conditions with different causes, symptoms, target groups and different treatments are needed to offset their effects.
Lactose Intolerance:
When talking about a “food intolerance" we refer to an adverse reaction of the body to a food substance or additive that involves digestion or metabolism (breakdown of food by the body) but does not involve the immune system.
Lactose intolerance is an example of this. It occurs when a person lacks the enzyme (lactase) needed to digest milk sugar (lactose).
Lactose intolerance may produce symptoms similar to cow's milk allergy, such as diarrhea, vomiting and/or stomach cramps; however, it can result in abdominal bloating and gas production. The severity of symptoms varies depending on the amount of lactose each individual can tolerate.
Food Allergies:
A food allergen is a reaction of the body's immune system to something in a food or an ingredient in a food - usually a protein. Cow's milk, eggs, wheat, and soy are among the most common sources of food allergies in children.
Milk allergy is caused by an abnormal reaction of the immune system to the proteins present in milk. With cow's milk allergy, the effects can be immediate or delayed, and symptoms will appear throughout the body.
The sites mostly affected are the digestive tract (nausea, stomach cramps, vomiting, diarrhea), the skin (hives, eczema, swelling), and the airways (wheezing, runny nose, nasal congestion, coughing).
One of the most dangerous food allergies is anaphylaxis - an acute, multi-system allergic reaction. The most severe form is Anaphalactic shock. It can lead to death within minutes if not treated.
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