9 benefits of growth milk for children

Growth milk can be the perfect addition to your baby’s diet. If you are worried about using it, then you should know what are some of its health benefits for your child.

The market provides us with some alternatives to help us feed our children, especially during the critical stages of their development. One of them is milk for growth, which is added with some important nutrients to support the development of babies. However, you must be sure that it is good for your diet.

To help you make the decision to use it as an alternative to whole milk for children ages 1 to 3, in this article, we will delve into the benefits of milk for growth. Always remember to follow your pediatrician’s instructions for new foods to be part of your child’s menu.

Why include growth milk in a child’s diet?

From the age of one Other types of milk should be included in addition to breast milk or infant formula to help supplement certain nutrients. Regular milk might be an option, but some of its nutrients are either deficient or in excess and can harm certain organs that are not yet mature in a young child.

Another alternative is to opt for dairy products or growth formulas intended for children aged 1 to 3 years. This type of milk is adapted in terms of nutrients and active ingredients to the specific needs of each stage of development.

Based on the benefits they have for the child, The Spanish Pediatric Association recommends them as a useful alternative. and complementary in your diet.

benefits of milk for growth

Growth Milk provides a number of key benefits that support the healthy development of babies. Enriched with essential nutrients, vitamins and minerals, it becomes an option for children to feel good and develop optimally as they grow up. Some of its most notable benefits are as follows.

1. They provide the child with the necessary amount of protein.

According to an analysis published in the journal Food and nutrition research, growth milk contains 1.5 to 1.8 g of protein per 100 g of product. While in whole cow’s milk it is almost twice as much (3.3 grams per 100 grams).

This marked difference is considered a growth benefit of milk as it allows to reduce the renal load of protein metabolites and adapt to a digestive system that is still immature.

In addition, according to a study published in the journal Nutrition and metabolic ideas, insist on a high protein load in the diet of a young child may increase the risk of subsequent obesity.

On the other hand, the Spanish Society of Community Pediatrics and Primary Health Care (SEPEAP) recommends an intake of 1.2 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight for children aged 1 to 3 years. This equates to about 13 grams of protein per day.

Milk for growth as complementary foods will cover 6% this protein requirement, taking into account the daily intake of milk for a small child in 2-3 servings.

2. They contain DHA and EPA for vision and brain development.

Growth formulas also include omega-3 fats known as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), which are involved in the development of a child’s brain and retina.

Article published in the journal International Journal of Nutritional Properties shows that DHA makes up 30% of the brain and 85% of vision. For its part, the EPA is involved in cognitive development.

According to a study published in the journal Journal of American Clinical Nutrition, The suggested minimum amount of DHA added to this milk is 15 milligrams. per 100 kilocalories, which corresponds to the proportion of DHA in breast milk.

3. They are high in lactose

Carbohydrate values milk for growth is almost twice as much as whole cow’s milk. This amounts to 9 to 14 grams per 100 kilocalories. The main source is lactose, and it is recommended not to add other types of sugar.

Study published in the journal Nutrients emphasizes the importance of lactose as source of galactose for the synthesis of some important macromolecules in a child and as a shaper of the gut microbiota.

In this sense, some studies of milk for growth in Indonesia found that sugar levels are similar to sugary drinks, therefore, it is advisable to carefully monitor the labels of these formulas.

4. They May Improve Gut Health

Indigestible carbohydrates (dietary fiber) such as fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and galactooligosaccharides (GOS)as well as maltodextrins and gelatinized starches.

According to an article published in the journal Cuban Journal of Pediatrics, these carbohydrates are known as prebiotics because they regulate the bowels. They are used by colon bacteria as a source of nutrition to balance the growth of healthy microorganisms.

5. They provide enough iron to prevent iron deficiency anemia.

Iron deficiency anemia is a common health problem in young children. What happens if you don’t eat enough iron-rich foods? An article published in the journal of the University of Antioquia indicates that its deficiency significantly affects the growth and development of the child.

For this reason, It is recommended to add 15% of the recommended intake value to growth formulas.. The final value of iron is 1.2 milligrams per 100 grams of the product.

6. They Can Serve as a Vehicle for Vitamin D

Article published in the journal Public Health Review emphasizes that Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient for bone health and growth children. In fact, proper absorption of calcium depends on vitamin D.

Growth milk can be fortified with 1.5 to 1.7 micrograms of vitamin D. Unlike whole milk, which is very low in this vitamin, choosing this type of milk as a complementary food for young children is an excellent way to prevent imbalances in calcium levels.

7. They are a source of antioxidants

These milk formulas are also fortified with some vitamins and minerals that perform antioxidant functions against free radical damage at the cellular level.

Fortification percentage is important compared to whole milk. Zinc increases by 50%, vitamin C by 6-8 times and retinol by 2-2.5 times. Other antioxidant nutrients are selenium and vitamin E.

8. They Provide Good Calcium Intake

According to a study in the journal Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, it is recommended that milk for growth contain at least 200 milligrams of calcium per 100 kilocalories. This is 40% of the recommended daily allowance for calcium (500 milligrams) for children aged 1-3 years.

9. They are complementary foods with high nutritional value.

APIYCNA notes that milk for growth is fortified to help young children achieve optimal nutrient intake at this stage of life.

This type of formula becomes a food vehicle with a high nutrient density. Vitamins D, E, C and minerals zinc, calcium, iron, among others, They complement the mixed and balanced diet required by children aged 1 to 3 years.

What benefits can we highlight milk for growth?

All the benefits of milk for growth are essential for good nutrition and good health in children. The contribution of proteins, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, prebiotics, DHA, EPA and other active ingredients justifies the inclusion of these formulas in the mixed diet of young children.

However, it is important to note that These milk products for growth should not replace other complementary foods in terms of nutrition.and not be a substitute for active promotion of proper nutrition and eating habits to maintain a healthy diet.

It should also be remembered that the pediatrician and nutritionist are the proper staff to indicate milk growth according to each child’s developmental stage and individual needs. Don’t forget to check the product label and ingredients to make sure it’s the recommended amount of sugar!

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