What's in milk

Molecules in it 11

• LactoseC12H22O11

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  Milk sugar, glucose joined to galactose. Most adults worldwide stop making the enzyme that splits it, which is what lactose intolerance is.

• Casein

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  The protein that makes up most of the protein in milk. Curdling it is what makes cheese, and it digests slowly, hence slow-release protein powders.

• CalciumCa

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  The metal whose ion builds every bone, shell and tooth, sets cement, and triggers every muscle contraction in your body. Element 20.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Flammable, Corrosive from source

• RiboflavinC17H20N4O6

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  Vitamin B2, the pigment that makes a B-complex vitamin bright yellow and, taken in excess, turns urine fluorescent yellow-green.

  As a pure substance: LD50 10,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• Vitamin B12C63H88CoN14O14P

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  Cobalamin, the only vitamin built around a cobalt atom. It comes almost entirely from animal foods, which is why it is the vitamin vegans watch.

• TryptophanC11H12N2O2

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  An amino acid from everyday protein foods that your body converts, step by step, into the mood and sleep molecules serotonin and melatonin.

  As a pure substance: LD50 1,634 mg/kg (rat, other) from source

• WaterH2O

  On MoleculeFinder's curated milk list from source

  The one molecule everything else on this site dissolves in, freezes in, or is carried by. Two hydrogens and an oxygen, bent at about 104 degrees.

  As a pure substance: LD50 25,000 mg/kg (mouse, iv) from source

• Sodium chlorideClNa

  Listed on Wikidata as a part of it from source

  Table salt. Sodium and chloride ions in a cubic lattice, and the only rock people eat on purpose.

  As a pure substance: LD50 3,000 mg/kg (rat, oral) from source

• PhosphorusP

  Listed on Wikidata as a part of it from source

  The element that made matches strike, that fertilises most of the world's crops, and that forms the backbone of DNA. Element 15.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Flammable, Corrosive, Toxic, Environmental from source

• PotassiumK

  Listed on Wikidata as a part of it from source

  The metal that catches fire on water, and, as its ion, the charge that lets every nerve in your body fire. Bananas are famous for it. Element 19.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Flammable, Corrosive from source

• MagnesiumMg

  Listed on Wikidata as a part of it from source

  The metal that burns with a blinding white flame, the lightest structural metal in use, and the ion at the centre of every chlorophyll molecule. Element 12.

  As a pure substance, its GHS hazard label: signal word Danger; Flammable, Irritant from source