Unknown Benefits of Ice Cream

Although ice cream can be consumed in all seasons, it turns into a dessert that is indispensable for everyone from 7 to 70, especially in summer. Acıbadem Altunizade Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Nilay Öngen states that ice cream has higher nutritional value and lower calories when compared to other desserts. Ice cream is a food rich in essential nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein and fat, as well as important minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium, and vitamins A, B, E and K.

Along with all these healthy aspects, there are some points to be considered while consuming ice cream, like almost every food. The most important of these is sugar consumption. The World Health Organization recommends that sugar consumption be less than 10 percent of daily energy intake. Considering that two scoops of ice cream contain approximately 14 grams of sugar, it is very important that you do not exceed this limit. It is recommended that adults consume no more than 2 balls of ice cream 2-3 times a week, and children do not consume more than 2 balls of ice cream 2 times a week.

In addition, it is very important that you pay attention to the production conditions when buying ice cream, and that you prefer places that are produced, stored and served under hygienic conditions. To avoid the risk of infection, the ice cream you eat must be made from pasteurized milk. When ice cream melts and freezes again, crystals form on it. You should be careful not to buy ice cream with crystals on it, because milk is a perishable food, and bacterial growths that can occur during melting and freezing can cause health problems up to poisoning.

After all these warnings, we can start to take a look at the benefits of ice cream!

Protects Bone Health

2 scoops of ice cream contain 90 mg of calcium, which meets about 9 percent of the daily calcium requirement. Calcium is a very important mineral for bone and dental health. Its main sources are foods such as milk, yogurt and cheese. Ice cream can also support daily calcium intake with its milk content.

Cultivated in Maintaining Muscle Mass

Proteins form the building blocks of muscles. Therefore, getting enough protein is of great importance in preserving muscle mass. The main food sources of protein are meat and dairy group foods. One glass, ie 200 ml of milk, contains 6 grams of protein. With 2 scoops of ice cream you will consume, you can get about half of the protein in a glass of milk. In short, ice cream is a source that supports protein intake.

Supports Heart Health

Minerals such as calcium, potassium and phosphorus help maintain cardiovascular health. Thanks to these minerals, ice cream is among the desserts that support heart health. However, you should consume ice cream with portion control due to the saturated fat and sugar it contains.

A Healthy Dessert Alternative

Although ice cream is generally thought to make you gain weight, ice cream does not make you gain weight when consumed in the right portions. A scoop of ice cream is approximately 50 grams and contains only 100 calories. Compared to pastries and other desserts with syrup, ice cream is a low-calorie dessert alternative with high nutritional value.

Contributes to the Treatment of Some Diseases

While the deliciousness of ice cream makes it easier to consume, its coldness can be therapeutic in some cases. For example, ice cream consumed after tonsil surgery can accelerate wound healing. In addition, ice cream is a good alternative food for patients with chewing and swallowing difficulties.