This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on the nutritional benefits of milk. The first chapter highlights the important role of milk and dairy products in human diets due to the amount of energy (calories) they provide and their ability to compensate for foods in the diet with lesser nutritional value. The chapter also reviews the dairy matrix concept and how this matrix can influence human physiology. The second chapter provides an overview of major and minor milk proteins, including caseins, whey proteins and indigenous milk enzymes. The chapter discusses a selection of milk protein products which are produced on an industrial scale to support human health and growth, such as the use of whey protein in infant formula and dietary supplements. The third chapter reviews current knowledge on bioactive components existing in cow's milk and colostrum, their biological and nutritional functionalities, as well as how these components can be exploited for the benefit of human health and physiological metabolism function. The final chapter provides an overview of the nutritional properties of dairy carbohydrates and major glycoproteins in cow's milk. The chapter considers the contribution of lactose as a substrate for beneficial colonic fermentation to short-chain fatty acids, as well as the importance of glycoproteins in infant diets.

"Edited by the Director General of the International Dairy Federation, Dr Nico van Belzen, there can be little doubt regarding the scientific quality and likely impact of these volumes... I hope that the books/chapters will find a large audience and, by doing so, help to achieve the sustainability of milk production that the title promises" Journal of Dairy Research Milk is one of the world's most important agricultural food products. In meeting rising demand, more intensive dairying systems face a range of challenges such as maintaining high standards of safety whilst optimising nutritional and sensory quality. At the same time farms need to become more sustainable as well as meet higher standards of animal health and welfare. Smallholder systems in developing countries face problems such as low productivity and vulnerability to disease which also impact on safety, quality, sustainability and animal welfare. Drawing on an international range of expertise, this book reviews research addressing these challenges. It begins by discussing the composition of milk including proteins and bioactive components, the wide range of ingredients produced from milk, as well as aspects sensory quality. It also reviews current understanding of genetic factors affecting protein and other aspects of milk composition, other desirable traits such as fertility and advances in breeding to achieve improvements in quality and productivity in dairy farming. Achieving sustainable production of milk Volume 1: Milk composition, genetics and breeding will be a standard reference for animal and dairy scientists in universities, government and other research centres and companies involved in milk production. It is accompanied by two further volumes which review safety, quality and sustainability issues as well as dairy herd management and welfare.