What is Uht Milk? Healthy or Harmful?

Milk and dairy products are among the products that are frequently consumed in daily life. Milk consists of protein, fat, carbohydrates, water, minerals and other compounds. It is one of the foods that pregnant women and children should consume frequently.

When it comes to milk, there are many question marks in mind. Should daily milk or UHT milk be preferred? Which is better or is UHT milk healthy? UHT milk is a process made to purify the milk from bacteria and make it more durable.

So, what is uht milk and what is the difference between pasteurized milk? All your questions are answered in this article!

What is Uht Milk?

• Heat treatment is the process done to make the milk last longer. By heat-treating milk, UHT milk (durable milk, long-life milk) and pasteurized milk (daily milk) are created.
• The UHT technique, which is very expensive, is applied at high temperature with emphasis on sterility. UHT technique (Ultra High Temperature) is applied by keeping the milk at very high temperatures.
• In UHT milk application, the milk is brought to a value between 135-150˚ degrees for a few seconds. This makes it more durable.
• The purpose of exposing milk to such high temperatures is to destroy the ingredients that cause milk to spoil and cause disease.
• Aseptic packaging is as important as temperature application in UHT milk.
• Aseptic packaging is the packaging made in a way that prevents the entry of oxygen, moisture or microorganisms into the product from the outside and leakage that may occur from the inside to the outside.
• UHT milk lasts for a long time and does not need a cold chain after it is produced. For this reason, it is kept at room temperature in the markets.
• In short, UHT milk is a product that does not contain any additives, only heat treatment and a special packaging technique are applied in order to be durable.

How Long Is Uht Milk Shelf Life?

The life of UHT milk is between 2 and 6 months if the outer packaging is of good quality and is not damaged. The life of UHT milk after opening the package is 2 days.

The shelf life of milk varies according to its fat content and the processes it has undergone. So, how do you know if the milk is spoiled?

• If your milk has a strong odor and tastes sour or bitter, your milk is spoiled.
• Even if the consistency of the milk is disturbed and clumping has occurred, your milk is most likely spoiled.
• If there is yellowing or darkening in color, the milk is definitely spoiled.
• If you are not sure if the milk is spoiled, you can use the boiling test.
• Put some milk in a pot and start boiling. If you see a change in the consistency of the milk after it starts to boil, if the milk – oil – water separates from each other and creates a different consistency, it means that the milk is spoiled.
• If you have any doubts about the deterioration of the milk, avoid using the product.

Is Uht Milk Harmful Or Healthy?

There are many question marks in the minds of citizens about UHT milk, which does not have to be boiled easily and can last for a long time without spoiling. Because UHT milk lasts for a long time, consumers believe that it contains harmful substances. Is Uht milk beneficial or harmful? Here is information about UHT milk:

• It is known that because the high temperature application applied in UHT milk takes a very short time (2 – 4 seconds), there is no big change in the nutritional values ​​of the milk.
• In temperature application, great losses do not occur in sugar, fat, calcium and protein values.
• While there is a very small loss in vitamins A, E, D and K, the amount of loss in vitamins B12 and B6 is around 10%.
• The highest amount of loss in this application occurs in vitamin C. At the end of the application, an average of 20% loss of vitamin C is experienced.
• Since it is not known exactly what is in the milk sold in the open and at what stages it passes, it is said that UHT milk produced under completely hygienic conditions is better for health.
• However, according to some opinions, the temperature applications made in the UHT technique also destroy the bacteria that are beneficial for health. This causes some experts to warn about the harms of uht milk.
• In addition, care should be taken when packaging UHT milk. UHT milk that is not properly and hygienically packaged can pose a health threat.

What is the Difference Between Uht Milk and Pasteurized Milk?

Consumers often go back and forth between two options when using milk. One of these options is UHT milk while the other is pasteurized milk. So, is it uht milk or pasteurized milk and what are the differences between these two milks?

• The biggest difference between the two milks is the technique used. While pasteurization technique is used in pasteurized milk, UHT technique is applied for UHT milk.
• Pasteurization technique is a heat treatment technique used to get rid of disease-causing microorganisms in raw milk. This process is done by keeping the milk at 72 degrees for at least 15 seconds.
• We have explained above how to make UHT milk. Unlike pasteurized milk, UHT milk is produced at a higher temperature in less time.
• Pasteurized milk retains more calcium, minerals and vitamins than UHT milk.
• UHT milk has a longer shelf life than pasteurized milk.

Can Yogurt be Made with Uht Milk?

• Those who want to make yogurt in milk wonder whether yogurt can be made with UHT milk.
• When the necessary bacteria are added to the UHT milk and the milk is kept at the required temperature, yogurt can be made from this milk.
• Not only yogurt but also fermented products such as kefir can be made using UHT milk.

Can Pregnant Women Drink Uht Milk?

• UHT (long-lasting) milk can be drunk while pregnant. However, daily milk is recommended more by experts.
• Milk and dairy products made from pasteurized milk are a good source of calcium for pregnant women.
• Unpasteurized milk and dairy products are very dangerous for pregnant women.
• Raw milk consumption should also be strictly avoided.
• The important thing here is not which milk is drunk, but how much milk is consumed.
• It is recommended to consume an average of 2-3 glasses of milk a day while pregnant.