Why a glass of milk might be a smart move for your cognitive health

The saying goes, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away”, but should that be changed to drinking milk daily?

Experts say drinking a glass of milk a day may help improve thinking skills, memory and overall wellbeing for older adults experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

That’s the findings from a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health and Aging, that followed 88 adults aged 65 to 75 years old in China who drank either regular skim milk or A1 protein free milk for three months.

While both groups showed improvements in cognitive function, those who drank the A1 protein-free milk showed slightly greater improvements than participants who drank regular skim milk. The results are important as it’s been estimated that nearly one in five Australians over 65 may be living with MCI, a condition which causes a noticeable decline in memory and thinking skills more significant than normal ageing. In some cases, it can progress to dementia.

During the three-month study, the research team asked participants to rate their sleep, memory, and ability to care for themselves, and also measured their memory and thinking skills using several tests.

The team found that both groups improved across all cognitive tests but those who drank A1 free milk saw slightly higher improvements in their attention, memory and overall executive function – the set of skills that help us manage actions, thoughts and emotions to achieve goals.

Overall, quality of life scores increased for both groups, however, those who drank A1 protein free milk reported better sleep and memory improvements.

Lead author, Professor Stephen Robinson from RMIT University said the results are encouraging as the findings suggest that including milk in a balanced diet may be helpful to overall health for older adults.

“The most important takeaway is that milk in general can have a positive effect on cognitive health and wellbeing in older adults,” Prof Robinson said.

While the team concedes further research is needed, their findings suggest adding milk to our daily diet may have benefits beyond simple nutrition.

Read more: Could regular social interaction in later life help prevent cognitive decline?

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.