Ice cream to human health

Is ice cream good for health ?

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A Source of Energy

Although the nutritional content of ice cream varies among brands and types, in general it is an excellent source of energy. Ice cream is rich in carbohydrate, with about 15 grams in a one-half-cup serving. A serving also contains about 7 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein, making it an energy-dense food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, one-half cup of vanilla ice cream provides 137 kilocalories of energy, about twice the amount in one-half cup of whole milk. Ice cream is a good choice when you need energy or if you are pursuing a program to gain weight.

A Good Source of Minerals

Ice cream is also a dietary source of two important minerals. It is particularly rich in calcium and phosphorus, with about 10 percent of the adult recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, of these minerals in a single, one-half-cup serving. Both calcium and phosphorus promote strong, healthy bones. In fact, consuming plenty of calcium, but not phosphorus, wouldn't do your bones much good. While good amounts of these nutrients don't make ice cream a health food, you can consider them a modest perk when you do indulge.

Fat and Sugar Content

Ice cream is a high-fat food, since it must contain greater than 10 percent milk fat to be designated ice cream, with some products having as much as 16 percent, according to the University of Guelph. Milk fat is largely cholesterol, a saturated fat. When your blood cholesterol level is too high, it can build up as plaque, a fatty deposit in your arteries that interferes with blood flow and raises your risk of heart disease and stroke. Ice cream is also high in sugar, which makes up the majority of its carbohydrate content. The Mayo Clinic website warns that consumption of too much sugar may contribute to health problems such as weight gain, cavities and increased levels of blood triglycerides, another unhealthy type of fat. To lower your risk for high cholesterol and sugar-related problems, consume ice cream in moderation or choose a low-fat, low-sugar ice cream substitute.

Lactose Content

Ice cream may cause problems for certain people because it is dairy-based and contains lactose, a milk sugar. These individuals, referred to as lactose-intolerant, are deficient in lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, and may experience digestive upset if they consume ice cream. According to PubMed Health, about 30 million Americans are lactose-intolerant. If you are lactose-intolerant, taking a lactase supplement when consuming ice cream may alleviate this problem, or you can replace ice cream with a similar frozen product made with soy milk or another dairy substitute.