If you eat this cool dessert in a hurry on a hot day, you can get an annoying “bonus” in the form of inflammation and sore throat.
And if you indulge in ice cream every day, don’t be surprised by the appearance of extra pounds, because this product is quite high in calories.
What are the benefits of ice cream and how can it harm you? What should those who really love ice cream know?
Nutritional value of ice cream
Ice cream is made by stirring and cooling a mixture of high-fat milk or cream, sweeteners (fructose or glucose - such as corn syrup), and flavorings (vanilla, chocolate, etc.).
When this mixture cools and freezes, it takes on a rich, creamy texture. Ice cream can also be fruit-based, which is called "sorbet."
Ice cream contains a lot of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, so ice cream has a lot of calories. So if you are watching your weight, please note that ice cream is not a “light” dessert.
On average, 100 g of ice cream contains from 100 to 270 calories. The largest share in the composition is fat - from 10 to 19 g, in second place are carbohydrates - about 20 g, and the least in this dessert are proteins - up to 3.7 g.
People with diabetes should avoid eating ice cream because it contains a lot of simple sugars.
For both mood and immunity: the benefits of eating ice cream
Gives a boost of energy
This is made possible by the high sugar content in ice cream, which immediately gives you energy and lifts your mood.
Improves mood
Eating ice cream can actually improve your mood. After all, scientifically speaking, when you eat ice cream, your body produces a chemical called serotonin, which is also called the hormone of happiness. Serotonin gives you a good mood.
Contains many useful vitamins and minerals
Ice cream contains milk and dairy products, which provide the body with vitamins D, A, as well as calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, which are beneficial for health.
Calcium is one of the most important minerals needed for healthy bones. However, the body does not produce this mineral itself, so we must eat calcium-rich foods to meet the body's needs.
Ice cream contains a lot of calcium and can be part of a balanced diet to meet your calcium needs.
Eat ice cream if you want to improve your relationship with your partner. After all, the phosphorus it contains increases sexual desire by controlling the level of testosterone, which is a male hormone. Phosphorus also helps tissues get more oxygen and maintains a stable pH level in the body.
For example, dark chocolate ice cream contains antioxidants and flavonoids, which help lower bad cholesterol and improve heart health.
Too Much Sugar and… Cold: The Dangers of Eating Ice Cream
Like many commercially processed foods, ice cream has its downsides. So if you like to eat ice cream often, you should know the following information:
Lots of sugar
Unfortunately, ice cream contains a lot of sugar. Already half a serving (65 g) of some types of ice cream contains 12-24 grams of sugar. Excess sugar can be harmful to health and cause problems such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and gallbladder disease.
Lactose intolerance
People with lactose intolerance lack "lactase," a special enzyme needed to digest lactose. Eating ice cream can lead to stomach problems, including "irritable bowel syndrome."
If you are lactose intolerant, taking additional lactase enzyme supplements or replacing ice cream with a similar product made from soy milk or another milk substitute may help.
Increased cholesterol levels
In general, our body needs cholesterol. It is important for many processes - such as the production of vitamin D, sex hormones, the construction of new cells. However, cholesterol is "good" and "bad", and, unfortunately, ice cream contributes to the increase of bad cholesterol.
Eating ice cream from time to time is entirely possible if you take care of your health, follow a healthy diet and exercise.
But eating even a small amount of ice cream every day is not a good idea if you want to control your cholesterol levels.
Previously we talked about the pros and cons of oatmeal pancakes .
