Nutritional Value of Milk

Man, in common with other mammals, is born a milk drinker, so milk is considered to be highly important for the nutrition and well- being of mammalian infants.

It is interesting that the milks of all species contain the same nutrients, differing only in proportions. Having found milk good food, man domesticated various species of mammals for dairy purposes throughout the world.

Cow milk is sure to be the principal type used in the world. Other animals utilized for their milk production include buffalo (in India, China, Egypt, and the Philippines), goats (in the Mediterranean countries), reindeer (in northern Europe), and sheep (in southern Europe). In general, the processing technology used for cow milk can be successfully applied to milk obtained from other species.

Cow milk has been used by man from the earliest times to provide fresh and storable nutritious foods. The nutritional value of milk is indicated by the fact that daily consumption of a quart (0.95 litre) of cows' milk supplies an average man with approximately all the fat, calcium, phosphorus, and riboflavin, one-half the protein, one-third of vitamin A, ascorbic acid, and thiamine, one-fourth the calories; and with the exception of iron, copper, manganese, and magnesium, all the minerals needed daily. Considerable amounts of nicotinic acid and choline are also provided.

Nowadays in some countries almost half the milk produced is consumed as fresh pasteurized whole, low-fat, or skim milk. However, most milk is manufactured into more stable dairy products of worldwide commerce, such as butter, cheese, dried milks, ice cream, yogurt, condensed and dried milk.

III. Answer the questions.

1. What is important for well-being of mammalian infants?

2. Why did man domesticate mammals?

3. What types of milk are used in the world?

4. What does a quart of cow’s milk contain?

5. How is milk consumed in the world?

IV. Find the English equivalents.

Вместе с другими млекопитающими; прирожденный любитель молока; молоко всех видов; по всему миру; главный вид; используемые для производства молока; ежедневное потребление; значительное количество; может быть успешно применена; более устойчивые молочные продукты.

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