Invented by the Horlick brothers in Racine, Wisconsin in 1873, malted milk powder is a food product containing grain and powdered milk. It is most often used as a sweetener in candies and milkshakes, or mixed with a liquid and consumed as a beverage. Malted milk powder, when mixed with whole milk, contains high levels of calcium, protein and carbohydrates.
High Caloric Content
Originally, the Horlick brothers developed malted milk powder as infant food. Malted milk powder has a high caloric content and was suitable for growing children. Later the powder was marketed as a nutritional supplement for invalids and people with sensitive digestive systems. According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a one-cup serving of malted drink mix with added vitamins, prepared with whole milk, contains 228 calories.
- Originally, the Horlick brothers developed malted milk powder as infant food.
- Malted milk powder has a high caloric content and was suitable for growing children.
Calcium and Protein
Because one of the main ingredients is whole milk powder, malted milk powder is high in calcium and protein. The USDA reports that malted milk powder prepared with whole milk contains 326 mg of calcium and almost 10g of protein per one-cup serving. Calcium and protein are essential for teeth and bone health and for proper maintenance of muscles and blood vessels.
Fat and Carbohydrates
When prepared with whole milk, malted milk powder offers 8.5g of total fat and 28.28g of carbohydrates per one-cup serving, of which slightly more than 22g are sugars. Fats and carbohydrates are both major sources of energy; fats also allow the body to absorb nutrients from food.
Other Vitamins and Minerals
Nutrient-enriched malted milk powder contains beneficial vitamins and minerals. According to the USDA analysis, malted milk beverage contains 3.6 mg of iron, 40 mg of magnesium, 530 mg of potassium, 27.6 mg of Vitamin C and 10.6 mg of niacin per one-cup serving. It is also moderately low in sodium, with 191 mg per serving. Vitamins and minerals are crucial to ensuring optimum health and avoiding nutritional deficiencies.
- Nutrient-enriched malted milk powder contains beneficial vitamins and minerals.