People have been consuming cow's milk for thousands of years. Cow's milk is a highly nutritious food and is the basis for dairy products such as yogurt, cheese and butter. When choosing milk and other dairy products, many people prefer low-fat or fat-free products, because the same serving size has less saturated fat and slightly higher levels of protein.
Vitamin D
Cow's milk in the U.S. has been fortified with vitamin D since the 1930s. Vitamin D functions like a hormone in the body. Its most active form, calcitriol, works in conjunction with parathyroid hormone to maintain normal levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. According to the National Institute of Health, vitamin D also regulates immune function as well as cell production and growth. A one-cup serving of milk provides 50 percent of the daily recommended amount of vitamin D.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin promotes nerve function and is necessary for carbohydrate, protein and fat metabolism. A one cup serving of milk has 23.5 percent of the recommended daily amount of riboflavin.
Vitamin B-12
Cow's milk, like all animal products, is a source of vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 is necessary for red blood cell production, DNA synthesis, nerve function and energy metabolism. A one-cup serving of cow's milk provides 15 percent of the recommended daily amount of vitamin B-12.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is important for healthy eyes and skin. In the eyes, vitamin A is converted to a structural component of the pigment rhodopsin, which allows the eyes to adjust in low-light settings. Vitamin A's role in keeping skin tissue healthy promotes immune function, as the skin is the first line of defense against invaders. You can get 10 percent of the vitamin A your body needs daily from one cup of milk.
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