Many people drink milk when they are young, but avoid it as they grow older because of the fat content. However, milk is nutritious and offers several health benefits beyond childhood. Green Valley senior care professionals list 4 ways milk benefits seniors.
1. Prevents Tooth Decay
One not-so-obvious health benefit of milk is teeth protection. Throughout the day, many of the foods and beverages seniors consume leave acids on the teeth and gums. Having a glass of milk can help your loved one neutralize these acids and potentially Prevent tooth decay. The beverage also provides calcium and other nutrients to keep your loved one’s teeth strong.
2. Provides a High Dose of Protein
Protein is one of the 3 key macronutrients your loved one should consume every day, but many seniors do not get enough of this nutrient. Depending on the type of milk, every glass your loved one consumes could contain as much as 8 grams of protein, which is nearly 20 percent of the recommended daily dose for seniors. When consumed regularly, protein can repair your loved one’s muscles, stimulate cell growth, and provide him or her with long-lasting energy.
3. Reduces the Risk of Osteoporosis
The International Osteoporosis Foundation now claims over 50 percent of aging women will experience osteoporotic fractures. One of the reasons so many seniors experience fractures is because nutritional deficiencies have weakened the bones. Milk contains vitamin D, calcium, and other nutrients that nourish your loved one’s bones and keep him or her healthy. Whole milk also contains a full dose of potassium, which allows the body to efficiently process calcium.
4. Enhances Eyesight
Many deficiencies are first identified when a senior’s eyesight is affected. These include vitamin A, vitamin B, phosphorous, and magnesium deficiencies. Seniors who are deficient in these minerals often experience blurred or impaired vision at night. If you think your loved one’s eyesight is being affected by a nutritional deficiency, you should still schedule an appointment with the ophthalmologist who can screen him or her for other medical conditions.
If your loved one needs encouragement to consume nutritious foods and drinks like milk, turn to Embrace In-Home Care. We are a leading provider of respite and live-in care in Green Valley and can help you find the right caregiver to meet your senior loved one’s care needs. Our experienced caregivers can help your loved one prepare nutritious meals from healthy ingredients and assist him or her with a variety of housekeeping tasks. Give a Care Manager a call at (520) 625-2050 and schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.