Is it true that drinking milk can increase height?

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"Drink milk so fast" This sentence we may often hear from many people. Many of us think milk can increase height. Many dairy products are also offered with slogans to help elevate the body. Not surprisingly, many parents suggest their children drink milk, especially in adolescence where growth is at its peak.

But, really, milk can increase height? Before discussing it, we should first know what is contained in a glass of milk.

What are the ingredients in milk?

Milk is known to contain high protein and calcium. Protein is needed by the body to support growth. Meanwhile, calcium is the main nutrient needed to form bones. Calcium is found 99% in bones and teeth.

In addition to these two important nutrients, milk also contains growth factors known as insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). IGF-1 helps to grow bone length so that it is also associated with height. Low protein intake can interfere with IGF-1 production and work in the body. Meanwhile, high intake of animal protein can increase IGF-1 levels in the body.

Milk also contains various vitamins and minerals. Vitamins in milk, such as vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin B3, vitamin B5, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, vitamin D, vitamin E, vitamin K, and many more. Apart from calcium, milk also contains magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.

Vitamins in milk play a role in metabolism, oxygen transport, and antioxidants. While the minerals in milk play a role in enzyme function, bone formation, maintaining fluid balance, and also oxygen transport.

Is it true that milk can increase height?

Many people think that milk can increase height. Some studies also show that milk consumption can increase height. As in Wiley's study in America in 2005, showed that adult height was positively related to milk consumption at ages 5-12 and 13-17, after controlling for sex, education, and ethnicity. Energy, protein, calcium, and bioactive compounds IGF-1 in milk helps to facilitate bone growth.

Research published by the American Society for Clinical Nutrition in 2004 also found that milk consumption was associated with height. The study involved 122 children aged 9.5 who followed their development for 3 years. 122 of these children were divided into two groups, namely the group that had the highest consumption of cow's milk (> 500 ml / day) and low consumption of cow's milk (<500 ml / day). The result is that groups with high consumption of cow's milk experience a higher increase in height compared to groups with low consumption of cow's milk for 3 years.

The calcium content in milk has an important role in bone formation and growth. In addition, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) contained in milk also plays an important role in bone growth. IGF-1 is found in higher levels in cow's milk than in breast milk or breast milk. So, calcium and bioactive compounds IGF-1 in milk have a role in the growth of a person's height.

The study concluded that milk is one of the important sources of nutrients needed to support children's growth and development. At puberty, besides acting to support growth, milk also plays a role in achieving optimal bone mass in order to prevent osteoporosis in old age.

However, the relationship between consumption of milk and height is still a debate among experts. Some studies show a weak relationship between consumption of milk with height. As in the research of Rogers and his colleagues in the United Kingdom which showed that consumption of cow's milk in girls aged 7-8 years was not related to their height.

Indeed, many factors influence the achievement of one's height. In addition to nutritional factors, heredity is also very influential on a person's height. Milk may be one of the factors that affect the growth of a person's height, but it is not the only determining factor.

If you want to increase height, there is no harm if you try to increase milk consumption during puberty. Because after puberty, increasing height will decrease and then will stop when entering adulthood. In addition to milk consumption, consumption of other foods containing various sources of nutrients is also needed to support growth and development. Add physical activity and regular sleep patterns to obtain optimal body health.

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