Why we love milk

We humans have been loving milk for thousands of years, and most of us can’t imagine life without it. Poured over breakfast cereal, it’s just the thing to get us going in the morning. And perfect for sending us off to sleep as a warm drink at night.

Yes, Grandma was right – warm milk around bedtime may actually help wind us down before bed so we fall asleep more easily. So how does that work?

Sleep researchers have found that how well we sleep is linked to the levels of two chemicals in our brains – melatonin and serotonin. Scientists say that insufficient quantities of either chemical can prevent us from sleeping properly¹.

To make these chemicals, we need to consume foods that contain tryptophan – an amino acid that your body converts to melatonin and serotonin². Milk and other dairy products are a good source of tryptophan, so a glass of warm milk at bedtime may help us get an extra boost of natural sleep-inducing chemicals when we need them!

Milk is also packed with powerful nutrients that can transform our bodies from the inside out³:
• Calcium – for strong bones and healthy teeth.
• Vitamin D – works with calcium to build and maintain strong bones.
• Protein – to help maintain strong muscles and hair.
• Vitamin A – important for eye, hair and skin health.
• Potassium – linked to better bone health.

Researchers have also found that drinking milk after exercise may promote recovery and re-hydration better than sports drinks⁴.

All these benefits, and it tastes good too. No wonder we love milk!

Sources:
1 Dairy Australia: http://www.dairyaustralia.com.au/Health-and-Lifestyle/FAQs.aspx
2 Dairy Food For Life: http://www.dairy.com.au/consumers/content/view/182/64/
3 Dairy Food For Life: http://www.dairy.com.au/consumers/content/view/16/38/
4 Dairy Food For Life: http://www.dairy.com.au/consumers/content/view/182/64/

For more information about sleep research, visit the Centre for Sleep Research website: http://www.unisa.edu.au/sleep/