Milk is one of the most consumed beverages in the world.

The milk most people drink usually comes from animals.

But how much do you actually know about the milk? Are you clued up on the health benefits of milk?

Let's take a closer look at why milk is so healthy and beneficial.

1.
Cow's milk is the most commonly consumed type of milk since cows produce more milk daily than other mammals.
But there are also other options, including goat's milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, and lactose-free milk.

2.
Raw milk can carry harmful bacteria, but it can be removed through a process called pasteurization.
Raw milk can carry harmful germs, such as Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella, and Salmonella. These germs can pose serious health risks to you and your family.

3.
In 1987, the FDA issued a regulation prohibiting the interstate sale of raw milk. However, some states do permit the intrastate (within the borders) sale of raw milk intended for human consumption.

4.
Milk consists of 87% water. The remaining 13% is divided into protein, fat, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.

5.
Milk is a source of vitamin A, which helps support a healthy immune system.
Vitamin A is important for normal vision, immune health and human reproduction. Vitamin A also helps the heart, lungs, kidneys, and other organs work properly, and supports cell growth and dierentiation.

6.
Some countries, such as Canada and Sweden, mandate that cow's milk should be fortified with vitamin D.
Vitamin D is an essential nutrient, especially when it comes to milk, as it helps your body absorb calcium.

7.
Casein and whey protein are the two types of protein found in cow's milk. They're considered high-quality proteins as they both contain amino acids.
Whey protein is beneficial for improving mood and lowering stress.
Casein, meanwhile, may actually help to lower your blood pressure.

8.
Milk contains a fair amount of sugar.
For every 7g of protein, you can generally expect 12g of sugar in return, meaning you're going to need to keep a close eye on your macros.

9.
Lactose is a chemical naturally found in milk and other dairy products.
Lactase, on the other hand, is an enzyme produced in the small intestine that helps break down lactose.

10.
Lactose intolerance happens when your small intestine does not make enough of a digestive enzyme called lactase.
Fortunately, there are lactase pills for when someone with lactose intolerance really wants to drink milk or eat some cheese!

11.
People who chug large amounts of milk tend to puke because there's too much lactose for the body's lactase to break down.

12.
Why is Milk White?
Milk appears white because of a protein called casein. Casein is made up of protein and fat. Lest you mistake it for an optical illusion, our eyes can see the white in milk because milk it doesn't absorb light at all. Instead, the white pigment throws backlight. Casein bounces light back to our eyes. The more fat and cream milk have, the whiter it appears.
For non-fat and low-fat milk they tend to look gray because they contain less amount of casein.

13.
There's a blue-green-colored milk that's made from algae called Spirulina, which is also high in protein and minerals.

14.
Goat milk is thicker and creamier than cow milk or plant milks, and goat milk has more nutrients that may offer health benefits.

15.
Milk is a remarkably good alternative to sports drinks, like Gatorade, since milk is also high in electrolytes.

16.
Milk is beneficial for your teeth because it contains high amounts of calcium, which is known for strengthening your enamel and helping your teeth fight off cavities.

17.
Evaporated milk is created by evaporating 60% of the water in milk. The same percentage of water is removed when making condensed milk, but the difference with this type of milk is the added sugar.

18.
More than just a superstition or a rehashing of the old home remedy of drinking a bowl of warm milk before bed, recent research has shown that milk taken from cows at night has significantly higher levels of tryptophan and melatonin, substances long known to promote and enhance sleep.

19.
Two of the most popular plant-based milks are soy and almond milk.
Neither of them contains lactose, making them great alternatives for people who are allergic to milk or are lactose intolerant.

20.
Out of all the kinds of plant-based milk, unflavored oat milk has the most calories and carbohydrates.

21.
A breast infection called mastitis can make breast milk taste salty rather than sweet.

22.
Lactobacillus acidophilus, a so-called good bacteria due to its beneficial properties, is found in milk. It’s responsible for turning lactose into lactic acid, as well as causing the drink to taste sour.

23.
The irrational fear of milk is referred to as galaphobia.
An example of someone who has this strange phobia is NFL player Will Levis, who screams at the mere sight of milk!

24.
Milk is able to cover coffee's bitterness by binding the proteins in milk with the polyphenol compounds (like tannins) that cause its bitterness.
Also, coffee becomes creamier thanks to the fats found in milk.

25.
Red wine stains can be removed with milk. All you need to do is soak the affected area with milk until the stain lifts away, then wash it as usual.

26.
Drinking milk that has casein reduces the burning sensation you feel after eating spicy food.
Milk products like yogurt or cream also work wonders.

27.
Soaking fish in milk can make it smell much less fishy.
This miraculous reaction is down to the milk proteins binding to trimethylamine — the compound causing that unpleasant fishy smell.

28.
There's a term used when you make a beverage out of Pepsi and milk. It's called "Pilk," and its taste is said to be identical to an ice cream float.

29.
The lactic acid that's produced by fermenting milk is used in skincare products, as it helps remove dead skin cells and moisturize the skin. Most skincare products use lactic acid from beet sugar or cornstarch, though.

30.
Spoiled milk can be used in baking because it's highly acidic — acidic ingredients make baked goods more flavorful.

31.
When diluted with water, expired milk can provide plants with essential nutrients like calcium, vitamins, and proteins.

32.
To teach kids generosity (and gratefulness for the Christmas gifts they received) during the Great Depression, parents encouraged them to leave milk and cookies for Santa.

33.
In Star Wars, there are two fictional milks that are colored blue and green. Recreations of both are available at Star Wars Galaxy's Edge in Florida's Disney World and California's Disneyland.

34.
Milk-based paint dries faster than oil-based paint and is used to make furniture look chipped or vintage. Some cave drawings done over 6,000 years ago used milk paint.

35.
In 2001, the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) created World Milk Day to highlight the significance of milk and the dairy industry. It's celebrated every year on June 1.
National Milk Day in the US is celebrated on January 11. But for India, it's celebrated on November 26.

Sources
Vice / Wikipedia - Milk / Washington Post / FDA / CDC / Healthline - Goat Milk Benefits / Delish / Healthline - Electrolyte Drinks / Healthline - Casein vs Whey / Live Science / Life Hacker / McGill University / Royal Society of Chemistry / VeryWellFamily / Medical News Today - Almond vs Soy Milk / History.com / Tasting Table / VeryWellHealth / Colgate / The Daily Mail / NationalToday / Jagranjosh / NDTV / The Week / Nutrition Stripped / Ziggy Knows Disney / Everyday Health / The Kitchn - Expired Milk Uses / The Kitchn - Evaporated vs Condensed Milk / Medical News Today - Milk Comparisons / How Stuff Works / Medical News Today - Lactic Acid Skincare / The University of Rochester / Healthline - Vitamin D / Driftaway Coffee / Raw Milk Questions & Answers / Milk Nutritions Facts / The Fact Site