Condensed milk is an amazing delicacy, the unsurpassed taste of which is familiar to many Russians from early childhood. Little kids are ready to eat her whole spoons. However, like some adults. But it turns out that you can’t do that. Indeed, condensed milk, like any other sweetness, has its beneficial properties as well as contraindications. Nutritionists recommend using it in amounts of up to 2 tbsp. spoons per day, no more. According to them, excessive eating of goodies can cause serious harm to the body. But first things first.
Bit of history
Before talking about the dangers and benefits of condensed milk, let me tell you a little about the history of its origin. It is generally believed that this delicacy was invented in the USSR during the time of the shortage of various products. However, this is not true! The recipe actually appeared back in the early 19th century. Its creator was the Frenchman Upper. However, he failed to patent his invention. But it turned out to Peter Durant. By the way, this particular person also owns the idea of using special tin cans for storing delicacies.
However, in those days, condensed milk still did not have the usual aroma and taste. They acquired them in 1826, thanks to the cunning entrepreneur Gail Borden. It was his workers at the plant who first began to create condensed milk by evaporation with cane sugar. However, some scholars dispute such information. They claim that the right to invent the product belongs to the people of India. Allegedly, they knew how to create it, another 5000 years ago.
Condensed milk appeared in Russia almost 60 (5000 ?!) years after the invention. It happened in 1881. Gradually, she became so fond of our compatriots that they borrowed the recipe and began to cook it. And not only in factories, but also at home. And here is the result - today many are sure that this amazing delicacy was invented by the Russians. But ... alas!
Good condensed milk - what is it?
There is one point that I would like to clarify before talking about the dangers and benefits of condensed milk for the body. It sounds like this: condensed milk on the market today is different, but that's just not all of it is healing. Cunning manufacturers have the skill to add various vegetable fats and thickeners to the composition. At the same time, they put the designation TU on the label. So, it’s better to pass by such a product, it cannot be called useful in any way. Since condensed milk should not contain anything other than sugar and milk. And sometimes more - coffee, cocoa or cream.
In order not to make a mistake with the choice, you can pay attention to the label affixed to the tin or soft packaging. It should clearly indicate that the quality of condensed milk corresponds to GOST 2903–78 - for Russia or for Ukraine - DSTU 4274: 2003. And also it is written that it is "Condensed whole milk with sugar." The product cannot be called in any other way. And one more such moment: do not forget to look at the date of manufacture, the treat should not be expired. If at home you notice that there are bubbles or foam of incomprehensible color on its surface, throw it away. Health is more expensive than any money!
The use of condensed milk with sugar
If you managed to get a quality product, know: you have not lost. It is much more useful than any other goodies, such as: marmalades, chocolates, yogurts and so on. Since it contains a large number of useful substances, among which we can especially note:
- calcium - helps to strengthen the bone structure and teeth;
- Vitamin D - helps not to age longer, strengthens bones;
- potassium and magnesium - normalize the work of the heart and blood vessels;
- phosphorus - necessary for good blood circulation;
- Vitamin C - helps to strengthen the immune system;
- glucose - helps to restore strength;
- and so on.
In addition, it is recommended to use condensed milk to normalize the hormonal background, increase lactation (for a nursing mother!), Replenish the supply of minerals and vitamins, improve overall well-being, improve vision, and increase muscle mass (useful for bodybuilders!)
Terms of use
You can talk about the benefits of condensed milk only if you use it correctly. Excessive eating of delicacies, like any other sweets, cannot lead to anything good. Therefore, nutritionists and doctors recommend that you refrain from this. As mentioned above, the permitted amount is not more than 2 tbsp. tablespoons per day for adults and 2 teaspoons for small children older than 2-3 years. It is best to add to tea, coffee or just some water (for the baby!). Or combine with any fruit (for example, bananas or kiwi). You can smear on the loaf, but it is important to try not to exceed the dosage.
Storage rules
The benefits of condensed milk will be the less, the longer it will be stored. And if you do it wrong, the benefits will be nullified. Manufacturers recommend immediately after buying to clean the treat in the refrigerator. After opening, it can be stored for no longer than 12 months, at a temperature of 0 to +10 degrees, if it is in a can. It should not be stored in soft packaging for more than 3 months. When buying condensed milk at the bottling, the period of its use is limited to five months. If, opening the product, you see lumps, crystals or mold in it, you must immediately throw it away. Eating spoiled goodies is very bad for your health.
Harmful condensed milk for human health
The disadvantage of condensed milk is that a lot of sugar is added to it during production. The final product is high in calories and greasy. Therefore, it is forbidden to consume large quantities of it, especially small children. In addition, it is advisable to refuse sweets for people suffering from overweight, diabetes, milk or sugar allergies. As well as those who care about the health of their teeth and slim figure. Since excessive consumption of sweets can lead to caries and morbid obesity.
The benefits and harms of coffee with condensed milk
Special attention deserves the use of coffee with condensed milk. On the one hand, such a drink is very useful, since it contains, in addition to vitamins with minerals, 30 organic acids. Thanks to this, the treat is able to provide a stimulating, normalizing, calming effect on the body. Daily drinking allows you to get rid of depression and bad mood, improves well-being.
On the other hand, coffee with condensed milk can lead to an increase in blood cholesterol, dizziness, insomnia and headache. However, in order not to provoke all this, it is enough to consume no more than 2 cups of the drink daily. With caution, you should drink a treat for people suffering from kidney disease, coronary heart disease, hypertension, atherosclerosis, or glaucoma. As well as children up to 14-16 years old and pregnant women.
Video from experts: about the benefits of condensed milk
In addition to the article, I would like to share a video from the Health-Life channel. This is the moment from the program "On the most important thing." In it, doctor Sergei Agapkin and actor Mikhail Policeitsimako talk about the benefits of condensed milk with sugar for human health. Recommended to watch!
Homemade Condensed Milk Recipe
Condensed milk will be most useful if you make it at home, with your own hands. It is not as difficult as it may seem. You just need to stock up with a liter of fresh homemade milk and a glass of sugar (you can replace it with powdered sugar). From the dishes you will need a stainless steel pan and a spoon (preferably a wooden one!) When everything is ready, you can proceed to cooking the treats. The sequence of actions is as follows:
- Pour milk into a saucepan and put on a slow fire.
- Boil it. Immediately pour about 1 tbsp from the dishes. liquids.
- Dissolve all available sugar in a glass with hot milk, mix.
- Pour the mixture back into the pan, continue cooking over low heat.
- Stir the future delicacy throughout the cooking so as not to burn.
- As soon as 1/3 remains from its original volume (just as much, this is important!), And it itself will acquire a slightly creamy tint, pour the condensed milk into a glass jar.
- Cool slightly and put in the refrigerator on the upper shelf for the night.
- By morning, condensed milk will already be quite viscous, you can eat it.
Note! Boil milk with sugar should be no longer than 35-40 minutes. It is very important not to overexpose it, otherwise instead of condensed milk you will get caramel. At the same time, evaporation is not completely impossible either, otherwise the liquid will not be able to acquire the desired viscosity. Therefore, watch carefully what is going on in the pan.
In conclusion!
Now you know everything about history, the rule of choice, the benefits and harms of condensed milk with sugar. And also about how it can be cooked at home. We wish you a pleasant tea party, do not be sick!