Milkshakes are often associated with indulgence, but they can offer surprising health benefits when prepared with the right ingredients. Drinking milkshakes, particularly those made with whole, natural ingredients like fruits, milk, and healthy add-ins, can have a positive impact on your overall health. Here’s why incorporating a milkshake takeaway into your diet could be more beneficial than you think.
Boosts Bone Health
One of the most recognised benefits of milkshakes is their contribution to maintaining healthy bones. The base ingredient, milk, contains a high amount of calcium, a mineral used to maintain strong and healthy bones. Calcium combines with vitamin D to improve bone density and help prevent conditions such as osteoporosis. Adding yoghurt or almond milk to your milkshake can further increase the amount of calcium and vitamin D, making your milkshake even healthier for your bones.
Calcium: Essential for strong bones and teeth.
Vitamin D: Helps the body absorb calcium effectively.
Magnesium: Magnesium is found in ingredients like nuts and seeds, and it plays a crucial role in bone health.
Promotes Muscle Growth and Repair
Milkshakes can be a great recovery drink post-workout. The protein present in milk is perfect for muscle development and repair. Protein is used by the body to rebuild and repair muscle tissues that are torn during exercise. One can add protein powder, peanut butter, or Greek yogurt to the milkshake for an extra dose of protein to support fitness goals and maintain a healthy physique.
Ingredients for Muscle Repair
Whey Protein: A fast-absorbing protein that aids muscle repair.
Greek Yogurt: Packed with protein and probiotics to support gut health.
Peanut Butter: Rich in protein and healthy fats, great for muscle recovery.
Supports Immune Function
Milkshakes can boost your immune system with ingredients like berries and honey. Vitamin C is also a known immune enhancer that can be found abundantly in fruits such as strawberries and blueberries. Honey, also full of antibacterial and antioxidant properties, fights off infections and inflammation. A berry milkshake can be one delicious way to load up on antioxidants while supporting your body’s defence mechanisms.
Vitamin C: Found in citrus fruits like oranges, strawberries, and kiwi.
Antioxidants: Helps protect your body against free radical damage.
Probiotics: It can be found in yoghurt, which is good for a healthy gut and immune system.
It aids digestion and gut health.
Another health advantage of milkshakes is digestive health. Probiotics in yoghurt and kefir enhance gut flora, supporting digestion and maintaining a healthy balance of bacteria in your digestive system. Fibre from fruits, such as bananas or oats, helps improve bowel movement and prevents constipation. With a healthy digestive system, milkshakes can even reduce bloating and discomfort.
- Probiotics Support the growth of good bacteria within your gut
- Fiber helps digest, thereby preventing constipation.
- Bananas Are rich in potassium and dietary fibre and will help soothe the digestive tract. They provide an energy boost.
Made the right way, milkshakes are a fantastic source of rapid energy. With carbohydrates coming from bananas and oats and healthy fats coming from nuts and seeds, this gives a holistic increase in energy to sustain one throughout the day. Further, the natural sugars of fruits provide rapid energy sources, while protein and fat provide sustained energy for long durations.
Bananas. Carbohydrate and potassium-rich, they give an energy boost.
Oats. Slowly released energy for performance fueling.
Nuts and Seeds: Healthy fat sources that will provide a long energy input.
Hydrates and Makes the Skin Healthy
Milkshakes made with milk and water-soluble fruits like watermelon or coconut water do a great job of replenishing the body’s water levels and keeping the skin healthy because hydration is the best prescription for healthy skin. If the skin is hydrated properly, it will remain firm and will glow. As such, vitamins and minerals in fruits and vegetables contribute to good skin health, such as vitamins A and E, which reduce wrinkles and give a youthful appearance.
Coconut Water: Hydrating by nature, full of electrolytes.
Vitamin E: Skin hydration and ageing signs
Watermelon: Watermelon is high in water and antioxidants, giving it a glowing effect.
5 FAQs About the Health Benefits of Drinking Milkshakes
- Do milkshakes help with weight loss?
Yes, because milkshakes can aid in weight loss if low-calorie ingredients like fruits and low-fat milk are used. They keep you full and satisfied, so the likelihood of overeating decreases.
- Are milkshakes healthy for kids?
Milkshakes can be a great source of nutrition for kids as they contain calcium, protein, and vitamins that are good for growth and development.
- Can I drink milkshakes every day?
If you make milkshakes from healthy ingredients, it’s perfectly fine to have them daily. But you should be in moderation and not indulge in sweet milkshakes.
- Are milkshakes good for hair health?
Yes, milkshakes made of ingredients such as biotin-rich fruits (bananas, avocados) and protein like Greek yoghurt can improve hair health by providing nutrient strength to hair follicles.
- What are some of the best milkshake ingredients for weight gain?
Healthy weight gain can be achieved by adding high-calorie ingredients such as peanut butter, avocado, and full-fat milk to your milkshakes. These ingredients can provide healthy fats and proteins that can help build muscles and help you gain weight.
