How important are milk and dairy products for gut health?

People should be aware of the benefits of dairy for gut health, rather than rushing to eliminate it from their diet.

For many years, dairy products such as milk, yogurt and cheese have been known as important sources of calcium and vitamin D for strong bones.

However, few people know that dairy products also play a huge role in maintaining intestinal health , an indispensable factor for the immune system and overall human health.

Milk and dairy products. (Source: iStock).

The Importance of Gut Health

According to Mr. Christopher J. Cifelli - Vice President of Nutrition Research at the National Dairy Council of America, the intestinal microflora (or the microbial ecosystem in the intestine) plays an extremely important role in human health. This is where a large part of the body's immune system is located, capable of protecting against external pathogens, while helping the body absorb and effectively use nutrients from food.

A healthy gut microbiome not only helps maintain good digestion, but also supports an effective immune system, helping the body fight off diseases and improve overall health.

A person's gut microbiota can become imbalanced due to many factors, from an unhealthy diet, chronic stress to antibiotic overuse.

Therefore, maintaining a reasonable diet, including foods that support the balance of intestinal microflora, is extremely important.

Intestinal bacteria play an extremely important role in human health. (Illustration: Freepik).

Milk and dairy products - Rich source of nutrients for the intestines

Dairy products, especially fermented products such as yogurt and kefir, contain beneficial microorganisms (probiotics) that help improve and maintain the balance of intestinal bacteria.

Studies have shown that these beneficial bacteria improve digestion , help the body absorb nutrients better and strengthen the immune system.

Yogurt and kefir are particularly rich in probiotics such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium , which have the ability to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria while supporting the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

In addition, dairy products also provide many essential nutrients for the body such as protein, vitamin A, vitamin D, zinc and selenium - all of which are closely related to immune function.

A balanced diet, including both plant foods and dairy products, will help your body make the most of these nutrients, thereby improving overall health and maintaining healthy gut bacteria.

Outstanding benefits of milk for intestinal health and immune system

Although there are many misconceptions that dairy products can cause digestive disorders or allergies, the fact is that milk is not the cause of digestive problems, but on the contrary, it can be a useful part of the solution in improving intestinal problems.

Many people, including some doctors and nutritionists, tend to advise patients to eliminate dairy from their diets when they have digestive problems, but Cifelli insists this is not true. Maintaining or adding dairy products can help rebalance the gut bacteria and help the body absorb nutrients optimally.

Cheese is produced at PA Bowen Farmstead in Brandywine, Maryland, USA. (Photo: AFP/VNA).

Dairy products, especially yogurt, have been studied and shown to help improve digestive health, support the growth of beneficial bacteria, and help the body fight harmful factors.

Therefore, Mr. Cifelli encourages people to understand the benefits of milk for gut health, instead of rushing to eliminate it from their diet.

Not only beneficial for the intestines, dairy products also contribute to improving the body's immune system. Milk, cheese and yogurt provide important nutrients such as vitamins A, D, zinc and selenium - essential elements that help increase the ability to prevent disease. Specifically, vitamin D helps regulate the activity of immune cells, while zinc and selenium play an important role in enhancing the body's immune response to pathogens.

A varied diet, combining dairy products with plant-based foods, will help the body easily absorb and make the most of these important nutrients. This is especially important for those who want to maintain a strong immune system, protect the body from diseases and improve overall health.