The cream has ivory and velvety texture, they are fatter and richer than milk. The average calorie content of cream is 455 kcal per glass. They add a delicate flavor to many dishes, including soups and sauces. The most common types of cream you can find on sale are fatty (30%), medium (20%), and light (10-12%).
What is this product?
Cream is a thick component that is extracted from milk. Less dense fat rises on top of the liquid and can be easily separated from it. This process is accelerated using centrifuges called separators. According to the fat content, cream is divided into various grades. In any case, they contain a large amount of saturated fat.
Fat cream is the thickest and most nutritious variety. They contain at least 30% milk fat. For half a glass (per 100 grams), the calorie content of this type of cream is about 414 kcal. They contain approximately 28 grams of saturated fat.
Middle cream contains about 20% milk fat. They are mainly added to coffee, and are also used for baking and soups. The calorie content of this type of cream is about 350 kilocalories per glass (and 170 kcal per 100 grams, respectively). They contain 23 grams of saturated fat.
A light variety is a mixture of cream and whole milk in equal parts. This product contains 10 to 12% milk fat. The calorie content of 10 percent fat cream is 315 kilocalories per cup. They contain 17 grams of saturated fat.
Are they good for your health?
Regardless of the fat content, cream contains nutrients such as calcium, riboflavin, vitamin A and phosphorus. Any variety of them can be beneficial to health if used wisely. Although heavy cream contains so much fat, they can even reduce the overall calorie content of a meal. This product can be easily whipped and increased in volume. So, whipping half a glass of fat cream will give you a whole glass of whipped. This is because due to the density they are filled with air. Moreover, this can be done not only with a mixer or blender, but also with an ordinary whisk. As a result, the calorie content of whipped cream will be 257 kcal per hundred grams of the product, and its volume will be large.
If you want a thick creamy texture in soups and pastries, 20 percent cream is an easier option that you can use to get far fewer calories.
Protein content
In addition to high fat and high calorie content, cream contains a lot of protein. It maintains healthy hair and prevents damage. Studies show that it is protein that plays a vital role in their growth. Due to this property, it is used in the manufacture of air conditioners and other care products.
Cream Vitamins
The presence of vitamin A improves vision. It helps the eyes adapt to changes in light and see in the dark. This substance supports retinal health and reduces the likelihood of macular degeneration and the formation of cataracts, which are associated with aging. Thus, using cream is especially useful for patients with glaucoma. Vitamin A also stimulates the immune system and helps the body resist infections. Thanks to the use of this compound, the response of lymphocytes opposite to antigens increases.
Vitamin B2 is essential for the development and growth of tissues (such as eyes, skin, mucous membranes, connective tissue, immune and nervous systems, and reproductive organs). Moreover, it promotes healthy skin, hair and nails.
Calcium and Phosphorus
Phosphorus is necessary for the growth of bones, as well as teeth. In combination with calcium, it promotes the formation of strong bones. Also this element improves the health of gums and tooth enamel. Thus, the use of cream helps to alleviate the course of serious diseases such as loss of mineral density or bone mass. Phosphorus is also present in the cells of the brain, which is responsible for all the basic functions of the body. The use of this trace element improves brain function. With phosphorus deficiency, the likelihood of cognitive impairment, dementia, and Alzheimer's disease increases.
The presence of calcium in sufficient quantities reduces the risk of manifesting a premenstrual symptom, expressed in mood swings, dizziness, and hypertension. Deficiency of this mineral promotes the release of hormones, which are responsible for irritability, as well as depression. It is also proven that regular calcium intake reduces the chances of kidney stone formation.
Other beneficial substances
Pantothenic acid in cream helps reduce stress and prevent mental problems such as depression and neurosis. Its consumption also helps regulate the level of hormones that cause mental conditions.
Riboflavin is necessary for the formation of red blood cells, which help in the oxygenation and blood circulation in the body. This substance is also found in cream of any fat content.
What could be the harm?
Most of the fat contained in cream is saturated. This explains the high calorie content of cream per 100 grams. Numerous studies have linked excessive intake of saturated fats to high cholesterol. In addition, if you regularly use cream (especially oily), you run the risk of gaining excess weight. This product can be used on a daily basis for preparing various dishes, but only in small quantities.
Cream Production
The cream production process depends on their type. Nowadays, fat is separated from milk using separators. This process helps to rotate milk at high speed using an electric motor, so that milk fat globules are better separated from a denser liquid. Separation continues until a product of the desired fat content is formed.
Whipped cream is formed by combining with air to double the volume. Air bubbles gather in a network of fat droplets.
Sterilized cream requires a long heat treatment. The sterilization process destroys bacteria. Thus, this product can be kept closed for several months without refrigeration.
Dry cream is made by evaporating the liquid. This product can be stored for a very long time. The calorie content of dried cream is approximately 580 kcal per hundred grams. But it is worth noting that this is a very concentrated product. As a rule, it is not eaten in its pure form.
How to eat?
Despite the high calorie content of cream, they are used in cooking everywhere. They are added to both sweet and salty, bitter and spicy dishes. Most often, cream is used as an ingredient in products such as soups, sauces, ice cream, stews, cakes and puddings. Whipped cream is used as a filler for milkshakes, ice cream, sweet cakes and creams.