Dairy milk is rich in nutrients linked to growth, but will drinking milk make you taller?
The answer is it depends.
However, if you already have a balanced diet, drinking more milk will likely not make you taller.
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And once you get throughpuberty, you stop gaining height.
The biggest factor in height is yourgenetics.
But as long as you’re still growing, some things may affect your height.
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Milk and Height: What’s the Link?
Many nutrients in cow’s milk are related to growth and development.
Research suggests that drinking milk increases height and a lower probability ofstunted growth.
Children and teens need nutrients like protein, calcium, and vitamin D to grow strong and healthy.
you’re able to get them from milk or other sources.
A healthcare provider can address your concerns about your child’s growth.
What About Adults?
Over time, you’ve got the option to lose height due to bone compression.
it’s possible for you to get calcium, vitamin D, and other nutrients from various foods.
A healthcare provider may recommend dietary supplements if you have osteoporosis orosteopenia, a precursor to osteoporosis.
What Determines Height
One of the main factors in determining height is beyond your control.
Getting enough of these nutrients during childhood can help you meet your full height potential.
Foods high in protein include lean meats, poultry, fish, eggs, nuts, and legumes.
What Makes You Grow Taller?
Get Enough Sleep
Your body releases growth hormones while yousleep.
Missing a good night’s sleep on occasion won’t affect your growth.
However, over the long term, insufficient sleep suppresses growth hormones, which can affect growth.
Children between 6 and 12 should get around 9-12 hours of sleep every night.
Teens aged 13 to 18 years should aim for 8-10 hours.
Children and teens ages 6 through 17 should get one hour or more of moderate-to-vigorous physical exercise daily.
This should include a mixture ofaerobics, muscle-strengthening activities, and bone-strengthening exercises.
How much milk you need depends on the overall quality of your diet.
If you already have a high-quality diet, drinking more milk may not be helpful.
You likely get enough of the same nutrients from other foods.
But it takes good nutrition throughout childhood and adolescence to reach your full height potential.
Milk is a powerhouse of nutrients essential for growth and development.
Other factors that can affect growth are getting enough sleep and exercising regularly.
But if you already have a nutritious diet, drinking more milk probably won’t help you grow taller.
And once you reach adulthood, you’ve reached your full height.
Speak with a healthcare provider if you have questions about growth and development.
Office of Dietary Supplements.Calcium.
Fact sheet for health professionals.
MedlinePlus.Is height determined by genetics?
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Sleep in middle and high school students.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Childhood nutrition facts.
