Milk for humans: Evolving perceptions of an all-time mother science

Abstract

Milk is the most nourishing natural biofluid and almost an ideal functional food for humans of all ages. The objective of this review article is to delineate global nutritional and health implications of main live-stock dairy products for optimum postmodern life quality. Milk bioactives contribute considerably to meeting nutrient requirements while offering potentials to reduce risks of cancers, traumas and metabolic disorders. Milk functions beyond its nutritive worth. Cow milk intake by lactating mothers enriches breast milk β-lactoglobulin and ovalbumin. Milk intake leads to more standard body frame structure and bone health. Milk immunoglobulins act against Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Casomorphins, immunostimulating peptides, and ACE-inhibitory peptides modulate the gut nutrient assimilation. Whey proteins are insulinotropic and medium chain fatty acids improve insulin action. Peptides along with calcium may reduce blood pressure and cholesterol. Milk improves folate availability, and reduces homocysteinemia and heart infarcts. Ewe milk is richer than cow milk in riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and biotin. Goat milk has less α-s-1-casein, β-carotene, agglutinin; and is lower in citric acid, Na, Fe, S, Zn, Mo, ribonuclease, alkaline phosphatase, lipase, xanthine oxidase, N-acetylneuraminic acid, orotic acid, pyridoxine, folate, vitamin B12, and vitamin C than cow milk. Goat milk is richer in Ca, K, Mg, P, Cl, Mn, vitamins A and D, nicotinic acid, choline, inositol, medium-chain FA, small diameter fat globules than cow milk. Goat milk is a suitable substitute in allergies, and with low orotic acid might prevent fatty liver. Lysozyme-rich milk has been produced with transgenic dairy goats to prevent intestinal disorders in infants. Donkey and horse milks are considered optimal substitutes for human and cow milk in minimizing allergies and hyperlipidemia related complexities. Effective education and data dissemination are the ongoing obligations for unbiased milk science to be adequately perceived and applied by postmodern human populations.