Milk: what it contains and why it matters
Milk is cow's milk (doodh). This page lists its nutritional content from published sources and explains which lab parameters it relates to.
Last reviewed: 2026-09-04
Nutritional content of milk
Per 100 g edible portion, from published composition data.
| Nutrient | Per 100 g | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | 67 kcal | ICMR-NIN |
| Protein | 3.26 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Total Fat | 4.14 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Carbohydrate | 4.27 g | ICMR-NIN |
| Calcium | 118 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Phosphorus | 84.3 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Vitamin B12 | 0.14 µg | ICMR-NIN |
| Potassium | 140 mg | ICMR-NIN |
| Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) | 0.15 mg | ICMR-NIN |
Which lab parameters does milk relate to?
Calcium
Calcium is the main mineral in bones and teeth, and is also needed for muscles and nerves [WHO].
Understand your Calcium result →See all calcium-rich foods →
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is needed to make red blood cells and to keep the nervous system working [WHO].
Understand your Vitamin B12 result →See all vitamin b12-rich foods →
Phosphorus
Phosphorus works together with calcium to build and maintain bones and teeth [WHO].
Vegetarian and dietary notes
Cow's milk is an animal-derived dairy product compatible with lacto-vegetarian diets, but it is not consumed in vegan diets.
Frequently asked questions
How much calcium is present in cow's milk?
Cow's milk contains 118 mg of calcium per 100 g [ICMR-NIN]. Calcium is an essential mineral required for the structural integrity of bones and teeth, as well as neuromuscular signaling and vascular contraction.
What forms of protein are found in cow's milk?
Cow's milk provides 3.26 g of total protein per 100 g [ICMR-NIN], consisting primarily of caseins (approximately 80%) and whey proteins (approximately 20%), which supply all essential amino acids.
What is the carbohydrate content of cow's milk?
Cow's milk contains 4.27 g of carbohydrate per 100 g [ICMR-NIN], which occurs predominantly as the disaccharide lactose.
How much vitamin B12 does cow's milk provide?
Cow's milk provides 0.14 µg of vitamin B12 per 100 g [ICMR-NIN]. Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin that serves as a cofactor in cellular metabolism, red blood cell formation, and nervous system function.
What is the concentration of phosphorus in cow's milk?
Cow's milk contains 84.3 mg of phosphorus per 100 g [ICMR-NIN]. Phosphorus works alongside calcium as a structural component of cell membranes and nucleic acids, and is a constituent of ATP.
Sources
- ICMR-NIN — Indian Food Composition Tables 2017, National Institute of Nutrition. https://www.nin.res.in/
- WHO — World Health Organization — nutrition fact sheets. https://www.who.int/