Ice cream – benefits and harm
Everyone’s favorite delicacy gives rise to many rumors and myths. Some consider it an excellent dessert, while others consider it a product harmful to the body.
In this article we want to debunk the most popular myths about ice cream, talk about the benefits and warn about possible harm.
- Composition and types of ice cream
- What are the benefits of ice cream?
- Why is ice cream harmful?
- How to choose quality ice cream in a store?
- Ice cream: myths about harm and benefit
Composition and types of ice cream
Modern manufacturers offer many items. All types differ in the list of ingredients, percentage of fat content and calorie content.
Industrially produced ice cream typically includes:
- whole and powdered milk, cream;
- dry impurities of milk origin (whey, proteins, casein, lactose);
- sweeteners – sugar, glucose syrup, fructose;
- water (including as part of other ingredients) – up to 65%;
- emulsifiers, stabilizers, preservatives – in permitted quantities;
- fillers and flavorings: zest, nuts, jams, pieces of fruit and berries, chocolate, caramel, etc.
Depending on the composition, ice cream is divided into 5 types:
- Ice cream– fat content reaches 20%;
- Creamy– contains up to 10% fat;
- Dairy– up to 4% fat;
- Sorbet– made from pureed berries and fruits, there is no fat in the composition;
- Popsiclesare made from juice, water and sugar.
Ice cream is considered the most popular and delicious type, but also the most high-calorie: 100 grams of the product contains up to 400 kcal. You eat the fewest calories in dairy ice cream: here there are from 140 to 250 per 100 grams of product.
It is a mistake to think that popsicles will be the most dietary ice cream. Due to the large amount of sugar in the composition, its calorie content overtakes even a fatty ice cream! In addition, flavoring additives such as nuts, chocolate, jams, etc. increase the energy value.
What are the benefits of ice cream?
We all love ice cream, but debate about the dangers and benefits makes us wonder whether this flavor is safe. In fact, high-quality ice cream with natural ingredients is very healthy!
Its composition includes about a hundred substances important for the body:
- more than 20 essential amino acids;
- about 20 useful vitamins (including vitamins A, E, C, B1, B2, Beta-carotene, Niacin PP);
- valuable fatty acids;
- important minerals – calcium, sodium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium.
Many people believe that ice cream brings little benefit and only harms the body due to its fat content. However, the ice cream contains enzymes that help break down and absorb milk fats.
Ice cream is made on the basis of milk, a product whose benefits are undeniable for the body. It gives us energy, has a positive effect on the nervous system and metabolic processes of the body, and improves immunity. Calcium, which is rich in dairy products, strengthens teeth and bone tissue, maintains the health of the circulatory and cardiovascular systems. In addition, it is the best prevention of osteoporosis.
Natural creamy ice cream only brings benefits for a good mood and works to the detriment of depression! The amino acids that ice cream is rich in cause a real serotonin surge – they increase the level of the “happiness hormone” in the body. Therefore, a portion of a cool dessert lifts your spirits, causing a surge of joy, vigor and strength.
Yoghurt-based ice cream, which recently appeared on sale, is recognized as an excellent prevention of gastrointestinal diseases and dysbacteriosis. Lactobacilli in the composition benefit healthy intestinal microflora. Unlike regular yogurt, bacteria in yogurt ice cream remain alive for about 3 months due to sub-zero storage temperatures.
Why is ice cream harmful?
It would seem that if the composition contains so many good properties, then you can eat kilograms of ice cream, because it brings a lot of health benefits and zero harm. But, like any other product, it has its disadvantages and contraindications.
Ice cream is harmful for some diseases:
- obesity;
- hypertension;
- chronic gastritis;
- diabetes;
- atherosclerosis;
- lactose intolerance.
People suffering from diabetes should not choose ice cream containing sugar. People who often have headaches should also limit their consumption. Once in the stomach, the cool delicacy causes a rapid temperature change. Because of this, the blood vessels narrow sharply, reducing blood flow to the brain, which can cause a migraine attack. Doctors also advise patients who often suffer from acute respiratory infections and other colds not to eat ice cream.
However, even with the listed diseases, there is no complete ban on a refreshing dessert. The main thing is to follow a norm that is comfortable for the body and buy high-quality ice cream. Nutritionists also do not recommend buying aromatic ice cream, such as mango, strawberry, orange, etc. As a rule, such types contain significant amounts of synthetic flavors, dyes and impurities.
Eating ice cream on the go is especially harmful. Along with a delicious piece of dessert, street dust, car exhaust fumes and other air pollutants enter your body. Take care of eating your favorite treat more hygienically: eat ice cream at home, in a cafe or in a quiet corner of the park. So this dessert will bring not only pleasure, but also benefit.
How to choose quality ice cream in a store?
- Read the composition.Ideal ingredients are whole and powdered milk, butter, cream, eggs, and natural flavorings. Desserts with a long list of vegetable fats, flavorings and preservatives are best avoided.
- Look for the standardization mark.Remember – ice cream made from natural dairy products is produced under GOST 4733. If GOST 4735 is on the package, vegetable substitutes for animal fats are used in production.
- Evaluate the appearance of the product.The packaging must be sealed and marked with an expiration date. If the ice cream has lost its shape and ice crystals appear on the surface, it means it has been re-frozen.
- Study the storage conditions.The temperature in the refrigerator should correspond to the recommendations indicated on the packaging.
How long ice cream can be stored depends on the production process. According to this criterion, ice cream is divided into 2 types: soft and hardened. Soft types have a delicate consistency and can be stored for up to 10 days at temperatures from -5 to -10 ℃. Seasoned ice cream is very hard and cold and can be stored for up to 24 months. We advise you to buy ice cream in individual packages, which you can eat at one time, without storing in the refrigerator.
Ice cream: myths about harm and benefit
Myth 1. Causes a sore throat
Sore throat is caused by bacteria and viruses. Ice cream itself cannot provoke this disease; it is nothing more than an unscientific myth. The point is this: excessive cooling of the throat can reduce local immunity, which causes pathogenic microbes to become more active. In addition, there is a dangerous myth that cold can harden your throat. However, there is no connection here.
To avoid unpleasant consequences, do not rush to eat the entire pack as soon as possible. Spread out the pleasure by slowly enjoying your favorite dessert.
Myth 2. Harmful for pregnant women
If you buy a product made from natural milk, it will even bring benefits! Calcium included in the composition is an essential element for pregnant women. It affects the proper formation of the baby’s bones. A serving of ice cream will cheer up the expectant mother. In addition, you cannot refuse pregnant women, so if you really want to, then you can do a little! Whether ice cream is possible while breastfeeding is discussed in detail in another article on the Lasunka blog.
Myth 3. Causes tooth decay
Dentists assure that ice cream cannot cause tooth decay. It is swallowed immediately; it hardly remains on the teeth. In this regard, sweets and cakes are much more harmful.
The only possible harm to your teeth is if you eat a cold dessert after a hot meal or drink. A sharp change in temperature can cause cracks in tooth enamel.
Myth 4. Is it harmful for children?
Again, the only problem is the ingredients. If you choose a product with exclusively natural ingredients, without E-additives, both adults and children can eat it.
In the range of manufacturers you can find types of dessert for children: usually this is a classic ice cream without fillers, dyes and flavors, such as “Malyuk-Am”.
Myth 5. It makes you fat
Any nutritionist will confirm that a person gains weight not from a specific product, but from an excess of calories. If we consume more kcal than we expend, the excess is deposited on the sides. To ensure that ice cream brings benefits and not harm even on a diet, add a small portion to your diet. For example, a serving of yogurt can be replaced with a glass of milk ice cream a couple of times a week. You shouldn’t deny yourself a little pleasure because of this myth!
Any product, even the most healthy one, becomes poison if consumed too much. Therefore, our main advice is to eat your favorite ice cream, sorbet or ice cream in moderation – this way you get the benefits and don’t have to worry about the harm.
