Drinking milk boosts the levels of a naturally-occurring antioxidant called glutathione in the brain that helps keep older, healthy adults mentally sharp.
That’s the upshot of new research conducted at the University of Kansas Medical Center that suggests milk — long hailed for its bone- and muscle-strengthening properties — has other health benefits.
"We have long thought of milk as being very important for your bones and very important for your muscles," said Debra Sullivan, a professor and chair of dietetics and nutrition at KU Medical Center, who helped conduct the research, published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. "This study suggests that it could be important for your brain as well."
Researchers asked the 60 participants in the study about their diets in the days leading up to brain scans, which they used to monitor levels of glutathione.
The results showed those who had recently consumed milk had higher levels of glutathione in their brains. The antioxidant helps stave off oxidative stress and the resulting damage in the brain tied to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's, and many other conditions, the researchers noted.
"You can basically think of this damage like the buildup of rust on your car," Sullivan said. "If left alone for a long time, the buildup increases and it can cause damaging effects.
Few Americans reach the recommended daily intake of three dairy servings of milk per day, she added.
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