What diseases can not ice cream. The benefits and harms of ice cream: debunking myths. How to make ice cream at home? Recipes

Probably, it is difficult to find such a person who does not like ice cream, and if you find such an original in your company, bewildered glances in his direction will not be long in coming. This is not surprising, because people for several millennia have not been averse to pampering themselves with a frozen delicacy. In past centuries, the benefits of ice cream were considered an indisputable fact, but what do we have today?

Ice cream composition

If earlier ice cream was served on exceptionally solemn occasions as a sweet delicacy, then, starting from the 19th century, it began to be produced on an industrial scale. When the delicacy was not as accessible as it is today, when refrigerators were not full of a huge variety of types of ice cream, people did not think much about its dangers. On the contrary, the dessert was considered incredibly useful, it was even advised to use Hippocrates to improve the body. Now that the recipe has changed, the food industry is developing incredibly actively, and people are increasingly choosing a healthy lifestyle, we often think about the benefits of ice cream and whether there is any harm from it.

What makes us think about the benefits and harms of ice cream? In ancient times, this product was made from a mixture of fruit juice, berries and fruits, ice, snow and even honey. It came out something like a modern sorbet.

Today, it is sometimes scary to read the label of the ice cream you like: you will surely see a long list of obscure names, all sorts of “eyes”, flavors “identical to natural”, etc. All these ingredients can easily neutralize all the benefits obtained from dairy products, which should be the basis of ice cream .

So what is ice cream? This is a delicious dessert obtained by simultaneously whipping and freezing dairy, cream products, sugar, aromatic mixtures, fruits and berries, chicken eggs. Approximately in this way the legendary Soviet ice cream was made. A person born in the USSR cannot forget its taste, he does not get tired of passing on to the next generations the information about how delicious ice cream was “at that time”.

Useful properties of ice cream directly depend on its composition. In a quality ice treat, there should be more than 10% milk, 13% dry milk residues - protein and lactose, up to 17% sugar or glucose syrup, various emulsions and stabilizers not more than 0.5%. Most of all in ice cream water - over 54%.

Various stabilizers have been used to make ice cream. Ice cream, which contains stabilizers agar-agar, gelatin, pectin, will bring benefits. These substances are beneficial to human health.

Thus, ice cream should contain the benefits of all the products in the composition. Everyone knows about the benefits of milk, this product is rich in calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, vitamins A, E, C, B, PP, as well as amino acids necessary for our body. Do not forget that along with pleasure and not very useful carbohydrates, eating ice cream, we also get animal proteins.

Eating ice cream can give a person energy, a surge of strength, good mood, healthy bones and teeth, a stable nervous system. The benefits contained in milk, and then migrated to ice cream, will also help regulate the body's metabolic processes.

One of the main components of milk - calcium, is not only incredibly useful for teeth and bones. It is involved in the transmission of nerve impulses, in the contraction of muscle tissue, and affects the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Vitamins A and E are the most important antioxidants that protect the body from aging and the penetration of harmful compounds. Also, these vitamins regulate metabolism, have a positive effect on the youth and elasticity of the skin, and vitamin A is also good for vision.

Vitamins of group B, which are also rich in dairy products, regulate the work of the central nervous system, affect digestion.

When we eat ice cream, the joy hormone serotonin is produced in a larger volume than usual. Thanks to this, our mood improves, there is a surge of strength and energy.

Types of ice cream

There are many types of this delicacy, new, more useful ones are added to the long-standing ones. Its composition depends on the type of dessert, and, consequently, the harm and benefits of ice cream for the body.

Classic types of ice cream:

  • Dairy - made from milk, not a lot of sugar is added, so this dessert is considered "light". This treat should contain 3.5% animal fat.
  • Creamy ice cream is produced on the basis of milk cream, its fat content, as a rule, is at least 10%
  • Ice cream is probably the most delicious and high-calorie dairy treat. In addition to milk, cream, sugar, there should be natural butter. It is with this point that many manufacturers have “problems”, and in order to reduce the cost of production, they add a mixture of vegetable oils instead of butter. Sometimes manufacturers use butter and vegetable oils here. But such a dessert has no right to be called ice cream. The content of milk fat in the "real" ice cream should exceed 15%.
  • Fruit and berry ice cream, or sorbet, contains only 1% milk fat, the basis of such a dessert is frozen berries and sugar
  • Cottage cheese ice cream is a new type of delicacy, it is a regular cream ice cream with the addition of soft cottage cheese. It is considered the most harmless to the figure, despite the fact that cottage cheese does not spoil the taste of dessert in any way.
  • Yoghurt ice cream is also another sweet trend for weight watchers. It has a fat content of 3.5% and is very delicate, with a slight sour taste.

The benefits of ice cream for the human body

Surprisingly, ice cream is good for the throat, it has been proven that such a dessert hardens it. The main thing is to carry out such procedures correctly, and not to eat cold snacks until the tongue becomes numb. The benefits of ice cream ice cream, as well as any other type of treat, will only be if it is eaten warm. There will be no benefit from eating ice cream in frost or cold. Contraindications to the use of ice cream are various diseases of the throat, for example, pharyngitis.

Another amazing fact: ice cream can benefit even losing weight people. Dairy dessert contains a lot of calcium, which helps to actively break down fats. And ice cream gives a feeling of satiety and slightly reduces appetite. Of course, here it is also important to comply with the norm, occasionally allowing yourself a portion of a milk treat. There is ice cream even for diabetics. Sugar substitutes and soy milk are added to such a product. Therefore, people with diabetes can also sometimes afford ice cream.

Yoghurt ice cream, which is gaining more and more popularity, is also good for the intestines. Bifidobacteria, which are part of such a dessert, affect the intestinal microflora, improve motility and have a beneficial effect on immunity.

Many are interested in the benefits of ice cream for women, especially for pregnant women. Doctors recommend using this delicacy for future women in labor, since an extra portion of calcium will not harm either the woman or the fetus. In addition, the use of ice cream has a positive effect on the emotional background of a person.

An important rule that ladies in an “interesting” position must follow is that ice cream should be slightly melted. There is no point in risking your well-being and the health of your baby by eating a very cold dessert.

And since ice cream has a good effect on mood and promotes the production of serotonin, it is believed that a portion of ice cream will not be superfluous for a woman in PMS.

The benefits of ice cream for children are of concern to many. The opinion of a pediatrician on the benefits of ice cream comes down to the fact that healthy child You can start giving treats from the age of three. The main thing is to treat the baby with a quality product and not indulge a child with a throat disease with a cold dessert.

Creepy black ice cream

Recently, a new fashion trend has appeared: black ice cream, the benefits of which are even more than usual. It looks impressive and a little scary, because since childhood we have associated this delicacy with white. Of course, for a long time you will not surprise anyone with ice cream painted in all the colors of the rainbow. Blue, pink, lilac - but all these colors are mostly light and have a soft shade, there are a lot of dyes in this substance. And what is the difference between black ice cream, icy not only for the throat, but also for the soul, you ask? The secret is in the dye. Staining of the mass occurs with the help of charcoal, from which activated carbon is made. This substance is not hazardous to health, on the contrary, it benefits by cleansing the human body of toxins and toxins. Because the Activated carbon removes harmful substances from the body, black ice cream - useful product. It is also very tasty, there is no unpleasant aftertaste. Of course, provided that a quality product is purchased. Now many ice cream manufacturers have begun to produce a black delicacy, and so that it does not harm the body, be sure to read the composition. However, this rule is very important for ice cream of any color.

What can be the harm of ice cream

Ice cream, like any other product, can not only benefit, but also have a harmful effect. First, it is associated with overuse. Do not forget that this is a high-calorie delicacy that should not be consumed daily. Ice cream contains a lot of sugar, so it can lead to obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure.

Sometimes eating ice cream can cause headache. This happens due to a sharp drop in human body temperature, due to which blood circulation in the brain deteriorates. In a healthy person, this effect should not be observed.

For people with high cholesterol, it is better to keep ice cream consumption to a minimum. This mainly applies to fatty varieties of ice cream: cream and ice cream. You can replace it with milk ice cream or sorbet.

The harm of ice cream is often associated with low-quality composition. Unscrupulous manufacturers add vegetable oils instead of butter and milk, dangerous preservatives and suspicious flavors. Unfortunately, it is now almost impossible to find ice cream that does not have palm, coconut or other vegetable oils added.

According to GOST, milk should not even be skimmed, only whole, and should not be part of the milk part of vegetable oils. However, GOST from 2003, which is as close as possible to the "Soviet", does not prohibit the use of vegetable fats to create a waffle cone or glaze of a treat. If you do not want to use vegetable fats once again, choose a high-quality GOST ice cream on a stick or in a package without various additions in the form of wafers, icing, etc. Better yet, make your own delicious and natural ice cream. There are many ways to prepare this dessert at home. The most "advanced" ice cream lovers use special ice cream makers.

Ice cream is a frozen, usually sweet dessert product.

History and distribution

Ice cream is a very ancient delicacy, its history goes back over 5000 years. Back in 3000 BC. e. in China, desserts were served at the table, vaguely reminiscent of ice cream - snow and ice mixed with slices of oranges, lemons and pomegranate seeds. It is believed that Marco Polo brought ice cream to Europe.

According to another version, Catherine de Medici took with her to France a chef who knew the secret of making ice cream, and from France this dessert spread throughout the world. Ice cream came to America in 1774.

It is interesting that in Ancient Rus' know the recipe for ice cream. For dessert, frozen and finely planed milk with sugar was served. The French thought of creating a cold dessert based on milk and cream much later. Creamy ice cream they invented under Napoleon III in the city of Plombiere-les-Bains. From the name of the city came the word "plombir".

The creation of the first ice cream of the modern type is attributed to the Parisian cafe Tortoni in late XVIII century.

Description

Ice cream is usually made from milk, cream, butter, sugar with the addition of flavoring and aromatic substances. Ice cream can be fruit or soy. Ice cream is divided into hardened and soft, the second is usually sold by weight, as it has a short shelf life.

When selling ice cream in cafes, restaurants, etc., it is often decorated with pieces of fruits and berries, chocolate, waffles, poured with syrup, sprinkled with chocolate or nut crumbs.

Milkshakes are also made from ice cream by adding milk and syrup to it and whipping the resulting mixture in a mixer.

Composition and properties

Ice cream has many health benefits. Like all sweets, it stimulates the body to produce a special substance - serotonin, which can protect us from stress. One of the recent studies by German doctors showed that regular ice cream perfectly relieves nervous tension and overwork. Scientists note that the substance L-tryptophan, which is part of ice cream, even helps to cope with insomnia. Milk and cream do not have this property.

In addition, ice cream can be used as a quick and effective hemostatic agent for nosebleeds (just swallow a few very cold pieces of ice cream).

Studies have clearly shown that eating high-quality ice cream promotes weight loss and strong bones, burns fat, regulates blood pressure, reduces menstrual pain, prevents kidney stones and strengthens the body's immune system.

In addition, ice cream contains fibers, lipids, proteins, minerals and amino acids.

Interesting Facts

calories and the nutritional value ice cream

The calorie content of ice cream depends on its composition: milk - 132 kcal, cream - 183 kcal.

Nutritional value of milk ice cream: proteins - 3.7 g, fats - 3.5 g, carbohydrates - 21.3 g

Nutritional value of creamy ice cream: proteins - 3.7 g, fats - 10 g, carbohydrates - 4.9 g

Lady Mail.Ru

Ice cream - best dessert and a favorite delicacy of the sweet tooth in the summer. Ice cream first appeared in China. Then it was a fruit dessert with ice. In Europe, the recipe for ice cream appeared in the 13th century. Later, they began to add milk, raisins, nuts to it and began to fill it with chocolate. And the well-known ice cream got its name from the name of the city of Plombien, where this ice cream was first whipped.

Previously, the composition of ice cream included exclusively natural products (milk and cream), but now a lot of “chemistry” is added to it and the bulk is made from vegetable fats based on coconut or palm oil. Therefore, not all ice cream is healthy.

At all times, ice cream was considered a delicacy, not everyday food. And now it is recommended to use it occasionally, as nutritionists do not attribute this dessert to healthy foods. It contains a lot of fats, cholesterol, stabilizers, flavors, dyes. And vegetable fat, which is part of most ice cream, easily turns into cholesterol. This is harmful and dangerous.

In some cases, ice cream is generally contraindicated:

  • With high cholesterol
  • For diseases of the gallbladder and kidney stones,
  • With angina, exacerbation of chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis,
  • With lactose deficiency in children,
  • With diabetes.

Ice cream is also not suitable for people who are on a diet and are afraid to gain extra pounds. Moreover, if there are about 130 calories in milk ice cream, then there are already about 400 in ice cream. That is, a serving of ice cream in terms of energy content replaces a full meal.

But it is not all that bad. After all, ice cream largely consists of milk, which means it has its beneficial properties.

  • Natural ice cream contains useful substances: amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and mineral salts, as well as enzymes necessary for normal metabolism.
  • Whole milk ice cream is high in calcium, which helps to strengthen bones and normalize blood pressure.
  • Sweet stimulates the production of serotonin. Therefore, ice cream is an excellent remedy for stress, blues and insomnia.
  • Ice cream is a high-calorie treat that is digested quickly and completely, so ice cream is ideal for quickly satisfying hunger.

In order not to doubt the usefulness of ice cream, you can make it at home.

Homemade ice cream recipe:

To make ice cream yourself, you need 200 ml of cream (we used cream with a fat content of 20%, but it is better to take 30 percent), 50 ml of condensed milk and any filler (cocoa, berries, vanillin, grated chocolate). It is better to take chilled dairy products - they will be easier to whip and ice cream will not delaminate during the freezing process.

We load all the ingredients into a container and beat with a mixer.

Next, we just have to put everything in cups and freeze. Makes two adult or three children's servings of creamy ice cream. 10-15 minutes after the start of freezing, you can insert sticks into cups with ice cream.

A little trick: the ready-made ice cream will be easier to get out of the glass if you submerge it in a glass of warm water for a few seconds - the water, of course, should not get inside on the ice cream.

Ice cream is a favorite dessert of children and adults. But it should be used with caution and in reasonable quantities.

read also:

Ice cream for weight loss

Ice cream with the classic taste of strawberries, lemon, chocolate, vanilla and less traditional - with the taste of salmon, ham and cheese has long ceased to be exotic and culinary delights. However, along with the popularity of ice cream, its bad reputation grew, as it turned out, completely unfounded. American researchers managed to find out that ice cream, in moderation, does not lead to weight gain, and the benefits that ice cream brings to the body make it unreasonable to completely exclude this valuable food from the daily diet.

Studies have clearly shown that eating ice cream promotes weight loss and strong bones, burns fat, regulates blood pressure, reduces menstrual cramps, prevents kidney stones and strengthens the body's immune system.

Argentine dietitian Bernardo Lafuente (Bernardo Lafuente) necessarily includes a serving of ice cream in the daily diet of his patients. In his opinion, ice cream contains a lot of calcium, which contributes to intensive calorie burning. The body receives a double benefit - burning fat plus strengthening bone tissue. In addition, ice cream contains fibers, lipids, proteins, minerals and amino acids.

Researchers at Harvard University in the US found that ice cream also reduces the risk of female infertility. "Products containing whole milk improve ovulation. During this study, women suffering from infertility due to anovulation were interviewed. More than 60% of the respondents experienced an improvement in the process of ovulation after the introduction of products containing whole milk, in particular ice cream, into their diet," explains Dr. Lafuente.

Percentage of ice cream consumed in different countries not very high, apparently due to widespread myths that ice cream contributes to weight gain, tooth decay, and that it is imprudent to eat ice cream in winter.

Spanish dietitian Juan Manuel Esparza states: "Ice cream is not only a sweet treat, it is an ideal and complete part of a healthy breakfast, lunch or dinner. Ice cream contains vitamin B2, calcium and proteins - a healthy addition to the main meal. However, moderation should always be remembered.

The beneficial properties of ice cream do not mean that it can be eaten uncontrollably, "tons". Consider the optimal number of calories that you should receive per day. "As a rule, women spend on average 1,500 kcal per day, men - 2,000 kcal. Therefore, you can afford 0.5-1 cup of ice cream per day," advises Lafuente.

Benefits of eating ice cream

Ice cream made from milk or yogurt satisfies the body's daily need for calcium by 15%.

In soft ice cream and ice cream home cooking lower fat content, about 6%.

Ice cream has no harmful effect on the throat or stomach. It can be consumed in winter without any fear.

Contains proteins and vitamins.

Due to the content of calcium, it strengthens bones and normalizes blood pressure.

Promotes weight loss - up to 2 kg per week.

Suitable for diabetic nutrition. The fats in ice cream slow down the rate at which sugar is absorbed into the bloodstream.

Related links

The benefits and harms of ice cream

What is useful ice cream. The benefits of ice cream

Ice cream is a wonderful dessert, especially in the summer heat, to have a snack and cool off. But how useful is ice cream, who is useful, and who should not get carried away even in summer with a delicious treat - ice cream.

Natural ice cream is a very valuable product and should not be excluded from your diet.

Ice cream, which is made from natural products, contains many useful substances in its composition. Amino acids, up to 20 types, 25 fatty acids, up to 20 vitamins and 30 types of mineral salts, as well as enzymes important for humans that we need for normal metabolism. A portion of such a delicacy can not only energize us, satisfy our hunger, but also calm us down. But modern producers, explaining the reduction in the caloric content and cost of ice cream, replace natural animal fats with vegetable fats, as well as adding various fillers, flavors and emulsifiers. The usefulness of such ice cream can be questioned.

The high content of calcium contained in ice cream makes this product very valuable in children's dietary nutrition. Studies conducted by American scientists have shown that moderate consumption of ice cream does not lead to weight gain, but, on the contrary, reduces, because. calcium promotes fat burning. In addition, calcium strengthens bones, normalizes blood pressure.

Eating ice cream prevents the appearance of kidney stones, strengthens the immune system, reduces menstrual pain in women, and reduces the risk of female infertility. Scientists explain this by the fact that whole milk improves ovulation.

Ice cream can be a complete part of breakfast, lunch and dinner, a useful addition to the main meal, because. contains vitamins, calcium, proteins and other substances useful for the body.

Ice cream can relieve stress and insomnia. However, frequent and not moderate consumption of ice cream can cause headaches: ice cream quickly lowers body temperature, blood vessels constrict, and as a result, blood flows to the brain more slowly. Therefore, enjoy ice cream, eating it slowly, slowly.

Many people are afraid to eat ice cream for fear of getting a sore throat. But many doctors believe that ice cream is very useful for the throat, and not only after surgery to remove the tonsils. If ice cream is eaten in small portions, then the throat will gradually get used to the cold treat. It is not recommended to use sherbets and popsicles for those who have a weak throat.

As you can see, ice cream is a useful product, of course, only high-quality ice cream. And how to choose the right quality ice cream, read here.

What is wrong with ice cream

But still, no matter how useful ice cream is, you need to know the measure in everything.

People with high cholesterol should not eat ice cream made with animal fats.

Nutritionists do not advise using ice cream flavored with artificial flavors, it is better to replace them with fruit and berry ice cream.

Milk ice cream contains the fewest calories, but it contains the most sugar, which can increase blood glucose levels.

It is also necessary to limit the use of ice cream for those who suffer from coronary heart disease, atherosclerosis, caries. And nutritionists recommend eating ice cream to healthy people no more than 2-3 times a week.

Children are allowed to eat ice cream only for dessert, after the main meal, so as not to interrupt their appetite. The best option will give children ice cream for an afternoon snack, between main meals.

But ice cream is such a delicious treat that, in moderation, I think you can treat yourself to everything. After all, it's nice to sit in a cafe for a serving of ice cream. And best of all - at home. It's not safe to eat ice cream outside. Indeed, along with delicious ice cream, we also eat street dust, dirt, exhaust gases. All this ice cream is very absorbent.

About others useful tips read here

When adults eat ice cream, they turn back into children for a few minutes. That's why everyone loves ice cream. True, some try to limit themselves in their favorite treat, believing that ice cream does more harm than good. But is it? Let's try to figure it out.

Myth 1. It hurts my throat.

On the contrary, if you lick ice cream slowly, you get a kind of hardening. And over time, the mucous membrane of the throat will become invulnerable to pathogenic microbes. The only condition is not to bite off the ice cream in large chunks.

Myth 2. There are no vitamins in ice cream.

Everyone knows that ice cream is made from milk. And in it you will find all the useful substances that are in the "raw materials". And these are B vitamins (fight bad mood, improve sleep, skin and hair), vitamin A (necessary for good vision), vitamin D (helps the body absorb calcium), vitamin E (protects against early wrinkles and cardiovascular diseases) . And a glass of ice cream will supply the body with calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorus.

Myth 3. Ice cream should be sweet.

Not necessary. Cooks have long broken this stereotype. If desired, in restaurants you can find ice cream with taste fried potatoes, onions, anchovies and even dandelions. Why this is necessary is a mystery! In some countries, ice cream is served as a side dish to the main course.

Myth 4. Ice cream makes you fat.

It's like watching! In general, they get fat not so much from food, no matter how varied it is, but from the volume of food eaten - it's all about quantity. Ice cream does contain quite a lot of sugar and fat. But compared to, say, a cake, there is much less of both in ice cream. 100 g of cake will give you about 450 kcal, while a standard glass of ice cream will give you no more than 200. By the way, lovers of soda should remember that a small jar (0.33 l) of sweet water is in no way inferior in calories to a glass of creamy ice cream. But, as you know, you won’t be full of water, while ice cream is easy.

According to a study conducted at the Harvard School of Public Health, ice cream is an excellent pregnancy stimulant. Scientists have found that women who regularly eat ice cream are 25% more likely to become pregnant than those who neglect the tasty and nutritious product. Doctors believe that the whole point is in the fats necessary for the process of ovulation, which are found in abundance in this delicious dairy product.

Surely you experience a feeling of joy when you lick ice cream. This is not surprising. Ice cream contains a substance called l-tryptophan. It is a kind of natural tranquilizer that gives us a feeling of happiness.

cold pick

So that ice cream does not disappoint, its choice must be taken carefully.

Read the packaging carefully! Milk ice cream should contain 3 to 8% fat and about 20% sugar. In cream you will find about 10% fat and 15% sugar, and on the label of a classic ice cream there should be at least 15% fat (the standard is 18-20%) and 14% sugar.

Good ice cream should not contain vegetable fats! The presence of coconut, palm and other vegetable oils in the composition indicates that you have a low-quality product. Of course, you won't be poisoned by them. But this product cannot be called ice cream by right. Butter in ice cream should be only creamy and no other. Milk is real, not soy.

In the "correct" ice cream, the weight of all ingredients and the portion itself must be indicated in grams. Sometimes manufacturers write the volume in milliliters. A glass with a volume of, for example, 80 ml may weigh less than the standard 80 g, and will cost the same.

Buy ice cream without stabilizers will not work. But it is better to give preference to natural additives, such as gelatin or agar-agar.

Chocolate ice cream must contain at least 6% chocolate or 2.5% cocoa.

Pay attention to the appearance of the package. Ice cream should not be wrinkled. If the shape of the cup or popsicle is broken, this may be a signal that the ice cream has been thawed several times and frozen again. Or it was stored not at minus 18 degrees, as it should be, but at more high temperature. And "living in a warm climate" leads to the fact that ice cream becomes a breeding ground for all sorts of microbes.

If the color of the ice cream is no different from a sheet of paper, most likely it was made not from milk, but from soy concentrate. Good ice cream cannot be white.

Chocolate ice cream should have an even brown color. Cocoa should be well mixed.

Try ice cream. Ice and snow should not crunch on your teeth. If you feel them, then the ice cream was whipped poorly.

Good ice cream melts slowly, without turning into a puddle right before your eyes.

The icing should not fall off the ice cream. They are supposed to melt together.

If a feeling of greasy coating remains on the tongue, this means that the “forbidden” vegetable oil was still added to the ice cream.

Ice cream in facts and figures

American scientists have found that ice cream, like all other dairy products, reduces high blood pressure.

Every three seconds, a scoop of ice cream is sold around the world.

There are about 700 types of ice cream on earth.

The most popular ice cream is creamy. Chocolate follows.

AT Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome ice cream (then made from honey and fruit juice) was considered a medicine for aristocrats. The great Hippocrates said that this dessert is an excellent remedy for lethargy.

Most often, ice cream is bought by girls under 20 years old. They eat 29% of all ice cream sold in the world. But women over 55 account for only 12% of sweet desserts. The other thing is men. They buy almost as much ice cream as young ladies, but usually not for themselves.

The most expensive ice cream can be tasted in New York. Dessert costs about $1,000. A crystal glass with five scoops of ice cream is covered with an edible gold leaf and sprinkled with crumbs of the most expensive chocolate in the world. The ice cream is decorated with gilded dragees and truffles from Paris. A cup with dessert caviar is placed on top. This piece of culinary art is eaten with an 18-carat gold-plated dessert spoon.

From the article you will learn how ice cream is useful. How to choose a natural product. And how to strengthen the immune system by eating ice cream all year round.

Ice cream is one of the universal delicacies that people of different age categories love. And not only in hot summers, but also in cold periods. But nutritionists and doctors treat it differently: some argue that it is better not to use it at all, while others consider ice cream to be very useful for the body.

Let's see what ice cream is good for? And, most importantly, what kind of ice cream is healthy?

Healthy ice cream - what is it?

There are a lot of types of ice cream on sale, they all differ in composition, degree of fat content and production method, which determines whether it will be hard or, conversely, soft and tender. Ice cream is considered healthy if it is made from natural products. If the GOST standards are met, then it contains fatty acids, vitamins, amino acids, minerals necessary for normal operation all organs.

If the GOST standards are an empty phrase for the manufacturer, then the benefits of ice cream are leveled. The use of surrogates can harm the body. Take care of yourself!

Natural ice cream contains a large number of calcium, which is necessary for every person, and especially for a growing child's body.

Useful properties of natural ice cream

The first benefit of ice cream is a unique opportunity to boost immunity. To do this, you need to use it often, but little by little. Gradually, the “weak” throat will get used to low temperatures, and you will forever forget about sore throats. In addition, natural ice cream can satisfy hunger, give strength, enable the brain to function better.

Benefits of ice cream: everything beneficial features

In order for the ice cream to show exclusively healing properties, let's not forget about the fat content and the presence of sugar in the composition. Exceeding their dosage can adversely affect health, provoke a lot of serious diseases.

The ratio of sugar and fat in ice cream:

  • Cream. Ice cream is the fattest variety of everyone's favorite treat. Contains about 15% fat and 10% sugar;
  • Milk ice cream. This delicacy usually contains more sugar - about 15%, but less fat - about 5%;
  • Fruit and berry ice cream. This type of ice cream is famous for its high sugar content - up to 30%, as well as the almost complete absence of fat;
  • Ice cream. It " golden mean”, which includes approximately 15% sugar and 10% fat. Creamy ice cream can be an alternative to ice cream.

Types of ice cream production

The shelf life of ice cream depends on the type of production of the product.

More often we buy solid ice cream. But soft tastes better!

As for the production method, here ice cream is divided into 2 types: hardened and soft. Hardened is very hard, cold and has a long shelf life. Soft pleases with a delicate texture, differs in storage temperature - from 0 to -5 degrees. Keeps for a relatively short time.

How to choose quality ice cream

We already know that in order for ice cream to be healthy, the honesty of the manufacturer must be exemplary. From which it follows that when choosing, questions may arise regarding the quality of this dairy product. What to pay attention to so that ice cream is beneficial, and not harmful?

Master class on choosing ice cream in questions and answers:

  • Ice cream composition. Firstly, in order to choose high-quality and healthy ice cream, when buying, you should look at the packaging, namely, at the composition. It should contain natural milk, cream, sugar, butter. In no case should there be vegetable fat in the product. If it is listed in the composition, and there are also thickeners, then this is ice cream with a combined composition.

    Ice cream - what is useful and what should be the composition

  • Packing and storage. Secondly, you need to visually evaluate the selected ice cream. If you can see that it has changed shape, then it is likely that it was stored incorrectly and was previously defrosted. If the packaging is transparent, and ice crystals are visible under it, this is also a sign of non-compliance with storage conditions. You should also refuse to buy ice cream with torn packaging.

    Choosing high quality ice cream packaging

  • The rules of "thawed" ice cream. After choosing an ice cream based on these criteria, you can continue to evaluate it at home. To do this, you need to look at how the product will melt. Normally, high-quality ice cream melts at room temperature within 15-20 minutes. This product contains a large amount of natural fat, which melts slowly. The process at the same time occurs evenly - all the ice cream melts. If the product is of poor quality, water leaks may occur. Also at home, you can evaluate the color of the product - if the ice cream is too white, this is a sign of its unnaturalness and the presence of vegetable fats. A natural product should have a creamy tint.

  • The perfect popsicle. If the choice fell on ice cream in chocolate (popsicle), then we pay attention to how the icing melts. If this happens evenly with the rest of the product (due to the presence of natural fats in the glaze), this indicates a quality product. If the ice cream is unnatural, then first the filling melts, and after a while the icing melts. Unfortunately, the experiment can be carried out after payment.

    How to choose a quality and tasty popsicle?

  • Peculiarities fruit ice. Here you should also first look at the packaging. If the composition contains water, dyes, preservatives, thickeners, a large number of ingredients with the letter E, then this is an artificially created product. There's not much that ice cream can do for you. Natural frozen juice should contain fruit and berry puree and sugar syrup. Also, popsicles can be evaluated by appearance- too bright shades of the product, which do not exist in nature, should alert. If something like this is encountered, it is likely that the ice cream is made using a concentrate or reconstituted powder with the addition of color, flavor and sugar.

    Some people love fruit ice and they do it right 😉

Contraindications - who is harmful to ice cream?

Eating ice cream can harm the body, as it is high in calories and contains a lot of sugar. For these reasons, it is not recommended to use some categories of citizens:

  • having excess weight;
  • possessing high cholesterol in blood;
  • sick diabetes;
  • those who have weakened immune system.

The rest can not worry about health and calmly eat ice cream, in a reasonable amount. The main thing is to pay attention to what you buy, where and who made this product. After all, as we found out, not all ice cream is equally useful.

You can't do without this delicious delicacy in the summer. However, we often eat ice cream not only in the hot season, but buy dessert all year round. And for some reason it is not at all customary to talk about its useful qualities. In generally accepted opinions, there are only two legends - a figure deteriorates from cold sweetness and a sore throat begins. Meanwhile, not all ice cream is equally harmful. So today let's talk about the benefits.

From the history

Ice cream is an old delicacy. It is believed to be over 4,000 years old! Even in ancient China, the facts were mentioned, how the inhabitants sold cold delicacy to noble guests as a dessert for a rich table. However, this dish only remotely resembled what is considered to be ice cream today - the ancient "ice cream" was snow and ground ice mixed with pieces of fresh oranges, lemons and pomegranate seeds.

In the writings of King Solomon, archaeologists have found several references to dessert in the form of chilled juices. However, it is impossible to say with accuracy that it was another prototype of ice cream.

As for European countries, the acquaintance with ice cream occurred at the beginning of the 14th century thanks to the traveler Marco Polo. It was he who first wrote about this dessert in one of his travel journals. There is also a version that it was he who first brought ice cream to Europe from the East - more precisely, the recipe for sherbet, which instantly became a popular dish among aristocrats and was served on the table of the royal nobility.

At first, the production of ice was so expensive that only rich and wealthy Europeans could afford ice cream, but gradually the situation changed. In 1718, Mrs. Mary Eales' Recipe Book was published in London, in which the recipe for ice cream was first printed. Since then, ice cream has been included in the national menu of different countries.

AT Kievan Rus ice cream was finely planed frozen milk, a little later it was replaced with cottage cheese with the addition of raisins. In the modern interpretation, ice cream appeared in Russia only in the middle of the 18th century.

Studying the composition

To date, the following components are used for the production of ice cream:

Natural milk (at least 10% fat)
Dry milk residues (proteins, casein, whey, etc.)
Sugar (sucrose and glucose syrup)
Flavor stabilizers and emulsions
Water (about 55%)

Various fruit components can also be used as additives. However, the above composition is the main component of every ice cream, with the exception of popsicles and sherbet.

Ice cream often contains cream and butter. Concerning food additives, then they are usually used to give a particular taste, as well as in order to increase the shelf life of the product.

In fruit and berry desserts, the sugar content is 30%. This ice cream is made from natural fruit purees and juices. It is less caloric - about 110kcal per 100g compared to dairy counterparts that have 227-250kcal.

famous and most delicious view ice cream - ice cream - used to be made exclusively from milk. But today, unfortunately, many manufacturers have begun to use vegetable fats, gelatin, starch and emulsifiers. Such a dessert, alas, differs in taste and is less healthy.

Beneficial features

Proponents of a cold dessert believe that the beneficial properties of ice cream are contained in chemical composition product. Since it is made from milk, therefore, it contains vitamins A, B, P, E and D, as well as trace elements such as iron, magnesium and potassium.

Therefore, the benefits of ice cream should be discussed only if
if it is made from natural ingredients and not substitutes
natural components with analogues in the form of vegetable fats.

_____________________________________________________________________

When a person eats ice cream, the body begins to produce the "hormone of joy" - serotonin. Therefore, ice cream can be safely called an assistant from bad mood and depression.

It is believed that ice cream is useful for women during pregnancy, as it contains lactose, mineral salts and easily digestible proteins, and most importantly, calcium, which is so necessary for a lady in an “interesting position”. A cold dessert is also believed to help relieve PMS symptoms.

Even for people with diabetes, they created special kind ice cream based on soy milk products. This dessert also has a sweetener and uses a minimum of fat. Some doctors recommend ice cream for diseases of the stomach and intestines, as well as for those who have undergone surgery on the abdominal cavity.

More recently, a new type of ice cream has become popular - yogurt-based. Such a dessert is considered the most useful, as it contains bifidobacteria, which improve the functioning of the digestive system and strengthen the immune system.

Harm and contraindications

Despite all the benefits, ice cream is not always recommended for consumption.

For example, people with high cholesterol should avoid foods containing animal fats.

Studies have shown that too much ice cream can cause headaches. Such a sensational fact, at first glance, seems absurd. However, doctors are sure that every third inhabitant of the planet suffers from this disease precisely because of an addiction to a cold dessert. The thing is that when it is eaten, especially at a fast pace, the body temperature slightly decreases, which can lead to vasoconstriction, and less blood begins to flow to the brain. It is this process that causes pain.

People with coronary heart disease, as well as those who suffer from atherosclerosis and caries, should avoid eating ice cream.

As for children, for whom ice cream is one of the main treats, dessert should be given a few hours after a meal, as a cold product can make it difficult to digest food.

Myths about ice cream

Myth 1. Dessert hurts your throat.

On the contrary, otolaryngologists recommend eating ice cream in order to harden and increase immunity from sore throats and other colds. The throat, in their opinion, should be accustomed to the contrast of temperatures. After such "training" no disease is terrible! Therefore, you should not blame ice cream for sudden sore throats. But so that it doesn’t really hurt, you should bite off the dessert in very small pieces.

Myth 2. There are no vitamins in ice cream.

This statement can only be called a myth. In products made from vegetable fats, indeed, there is practically no benefit, however, desserts made from natural milk are a real pantry of vitamins and microelements that are so necessary for the body. Therefore, when choosing ice cream, you should carefully study its composition.

Myth 3. Ice cream makes you overweight.

On the one hand, this is not a myth at all, because dessert really can be high-calorie, but on the other hand, blaming ice cream alone for gaining extra pounds is completely wrong.

The whole thing is in quantity consumed products, that is, in the daily caloric intake of the diet. It is also worth making a comparison: 100g of cold dessert contains from 130 to 250 kcal, and the same portion of the cake contains about 450 kcal. The difference is proof that this judgment is a myth.

How to choose the right ice cream

You should carefully study the packaging and familiarize yourself with the composition. Milk ice cream usually contains 3% to 8% fat, and the amount of sugar should not exceed 20%. The creamy product is a little different: 10% fat and 15% sugar, while the classic ice cream is characterized by 15% fat and 14% sugar.

High-quality ice cream should not contain vegetable fats. If the composition contains palm or coconut oil, such a product is best left on the counter.

Unfortunately, it will not work to choose a dessert without stabilizers in its composition. But still, it is better to give preference to natural supplements, avoiding artificial analogues such as gelatin.

Real chocolate ice cream must contain at least 2.5% cocoa and 6% natural chocolate ingredient.

The appearance of the ice cream is also very important. The product must not be wrinkled. If the shape of the dessert is broken, this may indicate that it has been thawed and frozen again more than once, which is why it no longer carries any benefit, and in some cases can become a breeding ground for microbes formed in an environment favorable to them.

High-quality ice cream does not have a snow-white color. If it looks perfectly white, it most likely contains soy concentrates, and it is better to stop using such a product.

If you enjoy ice cream "wisely", its benefits are obvious. However, do not forget about the “fly in the ointment” and approach the choice of a cold dessert carefully so as not to harm your health.

Ice cream is the best dessert on a hot summer day. But not all ice cream is healthy, and not everyone will benefit from it. So, whether ice cream is healthy and who should or should not enjoy this product, we will find out in this article.

Useful properties of ice cream

Ice cream is a very valuable product, but only natural ice cream. So do not rush to exclude it from the diet or limit its use.

A cold treat made from natural products contains a lot of useful substances: amino acids, fatty acids, vitamins and mineral salts, as well as enzymes necessary for normal metabolism. A serving of ice cream can energize and satisfy hunger. Almost all modern manufacturers replace natural animal fats with vegetable ones, add fillers, flavors and emulsifiers to the finished product. Therefore, the usefulness of such ice cream can be doubted.

Useful substances of ice cream:

  • Vitamins of groups A and B, PP, C;
  • Macronutrients (calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur);
  • Iron.

There is a lot of calcium in natural ice cream, which makes the product valuable for children. diet food Because calcium strengthens bones and normalizes blood pressure. Moderate consumption of ice cream in no case leads to weight gain, because calcium, on the contrary, promotes fat burning.

Eating ice cream can prevent the appearance of kidney stones, strengthen the immune system, alleviate menstrual pain in women, and reduce the risk of female infertility. This can be explained by the fact that whole milk improves ovulation. Delicious treat perfectly fights stress and insomnia.

But do not abuse ice cream, like any other product, it is useful in moderation.

Ice cream is contraindicated:

  • People with high cholesterol.
  • Patients with ischemic heart disease, atherosclerosis, caries.
  • People prone to the formation of kidney stones, gallbladder.

How much ice cream can you eat

Is ice cream healthy every day? No. Nutritionists recommend eating ice cream no more than 2-3 times a week.

How to choose ice cream

The most correct ice cream is a delicacy marked GOST. The presence of vegetable fats in ice cream is not desirable, as manufacturers write in small print on the back of the package.

Unfortunately, even high-quality ice cream cannot do without stabilizers and thickeners, which are needed for better shape retention.

Flavors and flavors must be natural. Do not buy ice cream with damaged packaging or by weight. Good ice cream should break off a piece, it is difficult to break. Soft ice cream contains vegetable fats.

A pronounced color and smell indicate the addition of non-natural dyes and flavors. Real ice cream melts evenly, the icing should not fly off in chunks.

Most importantly, pay attention to the shelf life. Natural ice cream has a maximum shelf life of up to six months.

Healthy ice cream recipes

The taste of ice cream can be changed by adding a variety of ingredients to it: berries, jam, fruits, nuts, cookies, marmalade or chocolate. In the summer heat, a mixture of cream, fruit and condensed milk gives moments of inexpressible pleasure.

homemade ice cream

To prepare this dish we need:

  • milk - 250 ml;
  • cream - 250 ml;
  • yolks - 4-6 pieces;
  • sugar - 80-90 g;
  • vanilla sugar - 1 teaspoon.
  1. Bring milk to a boil, cool.
  2. Beat the yolks with sugar and vanilla sugar.
  3. While stirring, pour the milk into the yolks.
  4. Put the resulting mixture on low heat and heat, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens slightly.
  5. Cool the finished cream, cool, put in the refrigerator. While the cream is cooling, whip the cream until soft ridges form.
  6. Add the cream to the chilled cream, mix.
  7. Put the resulting mixture in a container, cover with a lid or cling film and put it in the freezer for an hour.
  8. Then take it out of the freezer and beat the ice cream again with a mixer or blender. So we do it twice. This procedure will help to achieve a uniform structure of the treat.
  9. After another 2-3 hours, you can serve natural ice cream to the table, sprinkling it with fresh berries, nuts, watering it with jam or chocolate.