Two years ago, I became a mother. My daughter was breastfeeding for forty minutes, or even longer. During the baby lunch, I thought about various issues. And I thought ... Why is milk white? In all mammals, and there are at least 5400 of them on the planet, it is of the same hue. Although the composition, calories and taste are completely different.
What affects the color of milk?It includes casein. Casein is a complex protein that gives white color. In addition, it is the main milk protein. It belongs to the group of phosphoroproteins. Casein creates micelles (round particles), so they determine the color of milk.
Casein Composition
Protein, which determines why white milk, and not some other, refers to complete proteins. It contains more than 20 of the most important amino acids for the body. It is important to feed the baby with breast milk, because 8 of the 20 are irreplaceable and are found exclusively in human milk. Artificial nutrition contains only a fraction of these amino acids that are important for the body, and the absence of the necessary components can lead to disruption of the gastrointestinal tract.
Why is some milk white and others yellowish?
This is influenced not only by nutrition, but also by beta-carotene, which is part of it. He gives the orange color to pumpkin and carrots. An important property is that beta-carotene is a powerful antioxidant that boosts immunity.
Language of numbers
Casein contains 1.8% in female milk, 4.8% in cow's milk, 10% in whales, 12% in reindeer , and 15% in rabbits. That is why milk is white in all mammals, and in rabbits it is the whitest.
What you need to eat for a young mother
For good health and good growth of the baby, the best nutrition is breast milk. Its amino acids and antioxidants contribute to the strengthening and development of the child’s immunity. All that a woman eats goes into milk. The menu for breastfeeding should include only fresh and healthy food. It is also very important to take
vitamins for nursing mothers, they will serve as an additional source of nutrients.
Strong bones and teeth need calcium. We get it by eating fish and dairy products. You can eat 250 grams of cottage cheese and 300 grams of steamed fish (boiled, baked) 2 times a week. Also, fish is a source of phosphorus necessary for metabolism.
Zinc also plays an important role in the body. It is found in fish, pumpkin seeds (but they can be several times a week only when the baby is 3 months old), fruits (young mothers can eat a small green apple 1-3 times a week).
Vitamins for muscle growth - A, B, E, K. Vitamin A is found in beef, orange and red fruits, vegetables. 200-350 grams of boiled beef with a salad of red pepper and carrots will also serve as a source of iron.
There are many B vitamins in beef liver, potatoes, asparagus, egg yolk, milk, greens. 300 grams of steamed liver, 2 yolks, 5-6 potatoes per week will provide the body with everything you need. Vitamin E is found in sunflower oil and nuts. A handful of walnuts and a tablespoon of sunflower oil (in salads) per week will be enough. Vitamin K is rich in all green vegetables, olive oil, eggs.
Vitamin F is necessary for the development of immunity, the prevention of allergic diseases. It is found in oils, fish, avocados, black currants and dried fruits.