Advantages & Disadvantages of Ice Cream

Advantages & Disadvantages of Ice Cream to Human Health

Ice cream is carried out by cooling and stirring a mixture containing a high content of milk fat or cream, glucose or fructose sweeteners, typically as corn syrup and flavorings such as vanilla or chocolate. When the mixture is frozen, consistency develops rich and creamy ice cream, a food can affect your health in a positive and negative way.

A Source of Energy

Although the nutritional content varies ice cream brands and types, in general, is an excellent source of energy. The ice cream is rich in carbohydrates, with 15 grams per half-cup serving. One serving contains about 7 grams of fat and 2 grams of protein, which is a food with high energy density. According to the Department of Agriculture of the U.S., a half cup of vanilla ice cream provides 137 kilocalories of energy, or about twice the amount in half a cup of whole milk. Ice cream is a good option if you need energy or if you follow a weight-gain program.

A Source of Vitamins and Minerals

Ice cream is also a food source for several important minerals. It is particularly rich in calcium and phosphorus, with 10 percent of the recommended daily intake for adults, or RDA, of these minerals in one serving of half a cup. The cream also contains many vitamins such as vitamins A, C, D and E as well as thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and vitamins B-6 and B-12. It also provides a small amount of vitamin K, a major factor in blood clotting.

Fat and Sugar Content

Ice cream is a high fat food because it must contain over 10 percent milk fat to be named Ice Cream, with products that are up to 16 percent, according to the University of Guelph. Milk fat is largely cholesterol, a saturated fat. If your cholesterol level in the blood is too high, it can accumulate plaque, fatty deposits in the arteries that interferes with blood circulation and increases your risk of heart disease and stroke. Ice cream is also rich in sugar, which constitutes the majority of its carbohydrate content. The site of the Mayo Clinic warns that eating too much sugar can contribute to health problems such as weight gain, cavities and increased triglyceride levels in the blood, another type of unhealthy fat. To reduce your risk of high cholesterol and problems with sugar, eat ice cream in moderation or choose a low-fat, low-sugar ice cream substitute.

Lactose Content

Ice cream can cause problems for some people because it is made from milk and contains lactose, a milk sugar. These people, called lactose intolerance, are deficient in lactase, the enzyme needed to digest lactose, and may experience digestive problems by eating ice cream. According to PubMed Health, approximately 30 million Americans are lactose intolerant. If you are lactose intolerant, take a lactase supplement when eating ice cream can solve this problem, or you can substitute frozen products like ice cream made ​​from milk or other soy dairy substitutes.