Bioactive compounds in milk/dairy foods and their value to health at key life stages: functionality beyond nutrient supply

Givens, D. I. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6754-6935 (2025) Bioactive compounds in milk/dairy foods and their value to health at key life stages: functionality beyond nutrient supply. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society. pp. 1-34. ISSN 1475-2719 doi: 10.1017/S0029665125102024

Abstract/Summary

This review aims to highlight some of the key bioactivefunctionalities that a range of components in milk can potentiallymake to reduce risks to health at key life stages. Suchfunctionalities cannot be adequately explained by traditional estimates of nutrient supply. The benefits of gangliosides from the milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) for neonatal neurodevelopment are examined along with milk proteins for growth stimulation of children via the proteins’ ability to stimulate insulin-like growthfactor-1 (IGF-1). Exosomes in bovinemilk and theirmiRNA are bioavailable, with an animal study indicating that placenta development and embryo survival were both enhanced. Concerning bone health, the unique characteristics of the casein micelle for supplying Ca, P and Mg to the GI tract were considered. The so-called dairy food matrix and the hypotensive effect of some peptides from milk proteins may be compensatory factors for SFA regarding CVD risk. The recent rise in use of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists for adiposity reduction and improving glycaemic control is noted alongside evidence that milk proteins can stimulate GLP-1 synthesis potentially reducing GLP-1 receptor agonist need in high milk protein consumers. Other functionality included the ability of whey proteins to stimulate synthesis of skeletal muscle protein, crucial for bone protection and glycaemic control and the role of milk/Ca for reducing colorectal cancer risk. Perhaps the most exciting functionality is that of polar phospholipids in the MFGM potentially improving cognition and reducing the risk of dementia in the elderly. Clearly more human studies are needed.

Item Type	Article
URI	https://centaur.reading.ac.uk/id/eprint/127369
Identification Number/DOI	10.1017/S0029665125102024
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary Research Centres (IDRCs) > Institute for Food, Nutrition and Health (IFNH)
Publisher	Cambridge University Press
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