"Winter Immunity and Bone Health! Protect with 'Uyu' (Milk)"

Milk Self-Support Committee Recommends 2 Winter-Appropriate Milk Beverage Recipes

As cold wave warnings are issued in various places, people are dressing more warmly. However, is our body really fine as long as we avoid the cold? In these cold and dry weather conditions, it is important to pay extra attention to health management.

During winter, immune function and bone health are the first to be affected. Due to the sharply lowered temperature, our body consumes more energy than usual to regulate body temperature, which can easily disrupt the balance of the autonomic nervous system. Additionally, reduced outdoor activities lead to less synthesis of vitamin D, which helps boost immunity. Not only immunity, but the muscles that protect bones can become stiff and rigid due to the low temperature, potentially impairing their function and causing bone health issues.

In response, domestic experts emphasize balanced nutrition to maintain both immunity and bone health during winter, actively recommending ‘milk.’ Milk contains essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein, calcium, and vitamins that our body needs, which positively affect immune system maintenance and bone health.

Dr. Jo Ae-kyung of WE Clinic stated, “The raw material for immune cells is protein. If protein is insufficient, it can cause muscle loss and lead to decreased immunity, making one vulnerable to various viruses and bacteria.” She added, “Milk protein is rich in high-quality essential amino acids, which help enhance immunity, promote the growth of intestinal bifidus bacteria, and strengthen white blood cell function,” emphasizing the importance of milk consumption.

Also, Professor Kang Jae-heon of the Department of Family Medicine at Gangbuk Samsung Hospital said, “Calcium has a relatively low absorption rate in the body, so it is a nutrient that must be diligently consumed for bone health.” He added, “Calcium absorption increases when consumed with nutrients such as lactose, protein, and vitamin D. Milk contains these nutrients in appropriate amounts, resulting in about a 40% calcium absorption rate, which is significantly higher compared to other foods.”

Meanwhile, the Milk Industry Promotion Committee (Chairman Lee Seung-ho) has attracted attention by introducing two easy and delicious milk beverage recipes to help anyone maintain their health during winter.

The first milk beverage recipe is ‘Black Bean Banana Milk.’ Prepare 800ml of milk, 1/2 cup of soaked black beans, 2 bananas, and a little honey. First, boil water in a pot and cook the black beans for 30 minutes. Then blend the prepared milk, bananas, honey, and cooked black beans together to create a sweet and delicious black bean banana milk that is also good for bone health.

The second recipe is ‘Sweet Pumpkin Latte.’ Prepare 600ml of milk, 1/2 sweet pumpkin, 3 tablespoons of honey, 200ml of hot water, 3 tablespoons of coffee powder, 400ml of whipped cream, 3 tablespoons of sugar, and 2 tablespoons of mashed sweet pumpkin. First, place half a sweet pumpkin in a bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, poke holes, and microwave it for 5 minutes. Then blend the sweet pumpkin with milk and honey in a blender. Next, dissolve the coffee powder in hot water to make coffee extract. Mix whipped cream and sugar to make cream, then add mashed sweet pumpkin to make sweet pumpkin cream. Pour the blended sweet pumpkin, milk, and honey mixture into a cup, add half a paper cup of coffee extract, and finally top with the sweet pumpkin cream. This completes the sweet and bone-healthy ‘Sweet Pumpkin Latte.’