Having a good diet becomes ever more important as you age. Due to the natural process of aging, the elderly may find their bodies are weaker and more prone to injury or illness than before. In order to boost their overall wellness, they should ensure that their diet is filled with nutrient-rich foods. A key food group to include is dairy products. Whether it’s yogurt, milk, or even cheese, incorporating dairy products into your daily meals can bring many benefits to your health.
Helps You to Keep Your Weight Healthy
A study by the University of Alabama found that there is a certain correlation between body weight regulation and calcium intake. This is because the body utilizes the nutrients and protein found in dairy products to help regulate blood sugar levels. Furthermore, if you eat dairy products regularly, you may find that you are fuller and thus have less desire to snack. By maintaining a healthy weight, performing daily tasks and physical exercises will be easier.
Additionally, dairy products also prevent metabolic syndrome. It refers to a group of conditions that usually occur simultaneously, like excess belly fat and high blood sugar. This increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke. Dairy products help to decrease the chances of these symptoms occurring.
Reduces High Blood Pressure
Researchers have found that consuming low-fat dairy products has been linked to a lower risk of high blood pressure in the elderly. Although the exact cause is not yet determined, there has been a definite correlation established. It is suggested that it is because of the whey proteins and casein found in dairy products.
Rich in Nutrients and Vitamins
Dairy contains many nutrients like magnesium and vitamins E and A. These different nutrients can supplement your daily energy levels, giving you the boost you need for your next excursion to area attractions.
More importantly, it contains calcium and vitamin D as well. Calcium is needed to combat osteoporosis. As you age, your bone density decreases, which makes your bones more fragile. Calcium helps to strengthen your bones and prevent simple falls from turning into life-threatening injuries. It is recommended that calcium is consumed daily. To ensure that you maintain healthy bone density, try to consume at least 1200 mg of calcium in a day.
Vitamin D is key to healthy bones as well. Vitamin D prevents calcium elimination if the calcium levels in your blood dip below normal levels. Oftentimes, people get their daily dose of Vitamin D from exposure to sunlight. However, it is also a good idea to supplement this by consuming dairy products. Ideally, aim to take have at least 1000 IU of Vitamin D.
It is not enough to take fitness classes and exercise regularly; these activities must go hand in hand with a healthy and balanced diet! Incorporate dairy products into your meal in a variety of easy ways. Drink a glass of low-fat milk at breakfast or have it with a bowl of cereal. Alternatively, you can add berries and nuts into a cup of yogurt for a healthy snack any time of the day. A sprinkle of cheese may also give your dinner a kick of flavor!
