Which Mineral Does Milk Supply? Your Guide to Dairy's Nutrient Profile

October 23, 2025 •

3 min read

With approximately 300 mg of calcium per cup, milk stands out as one of the most accessible sources of this vital mineral in the human diet. But which mineral does milk supply besides calcium? The answer is a comprehensive profile of essential minerals that work together to provide numerous health benefits.

Quick Summary

Milk is a powerful source of essential minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium. These nutrients are crucial for maintaining strong bones, regulating muscle contractions, and supporting healthy blood pressure.

Key Points

Primary Mineral Source: Milk is a significant and easily absorbed source of calcium, phosphorus, and potassium, all of which are essential for overall health.
Calcium's Role: Calcium from milk is vital for building and maintaining strong bones and teeth, aiding in muscle function, and supporting nerve signaling.
Optimal Absorption: Minerals in milk, especially calcium and phosphorus, are highly bioavailable due to synergistic compounds like casein phosphopeptides and lactose, enhancing absorption.
Comprehensive Profile: Beyond the major players, milk also supplies important trace minerals like magnesium, zinc, and selenium, which bolster immune function and other cellular processes.
Balanced Nutrition: The natural mineral balance in milk, such as the optimal calcium-to-phosphorus ratio, is beneficial for bone health and overall nutritional intake.

The Core Mineral Profile of Milk

Milk has long been celebrated for its nutritional density, a reputation largely built on its robust mineral content. While calcium often steals the spotlight, milk's full mineral profile is a testament to its value in a balanced diet. This profile includes major minerals vital for bodily functions as well as important trace elements.

Calcium: The Foundation of Bone Health

Calcium is undeniably the most prominent mineral in milk and dairy products. It is the primary component of bones and teeth, providing the structural integrity and strength necessary for a healthy skeleton. But calcium's role extends far beyond bones; it is also crucial for:

Muscle function: Including the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
Nerve signaling: Facilitating communication throughout the nervous system.
Blood clotting: Aiding in the coagulation process to stop bleeding.

Phosphorus: Calcium's Essential Partner

Working in tandem with calcium, phosphorus is another major mineral generously supplied by milk. In fact, the two minerals are present in milk in an optimal ratio for absorption and utilization by the body. Phosphorus plays an integral role in many biological processes, including:

Energy production: It's a key component of ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the body's main energy currency.
Bone and teeth formation: Along with calcium, it forms the calcium phosphate that hardens bone.
Cell membrane structure: A building block of phospholipids, which make up cell membranes.

Potassium: The Heart and Muscle Regulator

Milk is a significant source of potassium, an electrolyte vital for cellular and electrical functions throughout the body. Potassium is essential for:

Maintaining normal blood pressure: It helps balance the effects of excess sodium in the diet.
Muscle function: Including normal, healthy muscle contractions.
Heart health: Regulating the heartbeat and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The Supporting Cast of Trace Minerals

Beyond the primary minerals, milk also contains smaller amounts of trace minerals that are just as critical for overall health. These include magnesium, zinc, and selenium, which contribute to a wide range of functions.

Magnesium: The Multi-Tasking Cofactor

Often overlooked, magnesium is a cofactor in over 300 enzymatic reactions in the human body. In milk, it supports:

Protein and nucleic acid metabolism: Key processes for cellular repair and growth.
Bone growth and metabolism: It helps the body incorporate calcium into the bones.
Energy metabolism: Aiding in the production of energy at a cellular level.

Zinc and Selenium: The Immune Protectors

Both zinc and selenium are trace minerals with powerful antioxidant and immune-supporting properties. They are essential for:

Immune function: Supporting the body's defense system.
Antioxidant capacity: Protecting cells from damage by free radicals.
Overall well-being: Contributing to normal growth and development.

Bioavailability: Why Milk's Minerals are Easily Absorbed

One of the key advantages of consuming milk for minerals is their high bioavailability, meaning the body can readily absorb and utilize them. This is due to several factors:

Casein phosphopeptides (CPPs): During digestion, casein proteins break down into CPPs, which bind to minerals like calcium and keep them soluble, enhancing their absorption in the intestine.
Lactose: The natural sugar in milk also plays a role in improving calcium and magnesium absorption.
Optimal Mineral Balance: Milk provides a natural balance of calcium and phosphorus, which is beneficial for bone mineralization.

Comparison of Mineral Content in Dairy and Non-Dairy Milks

To illustrate the mineral benefits of different milk types, here is a comparison based on available data.


Mineral (mg per 1 cup)	Cow's Milk (1%)	Calcium-Fortified Soy Milk	Cow's Milk (Skim)	Nonfat Dry Milk Powder	Romano Cheese (1 oz)
Calcium	~305	~301	~298	~320	~760
Phosphorus	~285	N/A	~261	~300	~760
Potassium	~366	~287	~366	~450	~98
Magnesium	~33	N/A	~33	~40	~35

Note: Values are approximate and can vary by brand and processing.

Conclusion: A Mineral-Rich Dietary Staple

In conclusion, asking "which mineral does milk supply?" reveals a far more complex and beneficial nutritional story than just calcium. Milk offers a comprehensive package of essential minerals, including calcium, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, zinc, and selenium, in a highly bioavailable form. These nutrients work synergistically to support robust bone health, muscle function, and overall metabolic and cardiovascular well-being. While fortified alternatives exist, milk remains a gold standard for efficiently delivering this vital mineral complex. For more information on the dietary reference intakes for minerals, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides valuable resources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Calcium is the most abundant and well-known mineral in milk, essential for strong bones, teeth, and numerous physiological processes.

Yes, milk is a very good source of phosphorus, which works closely with calcium to form and strengthen bones and teeth.

Yes, milk is a source of potassium, an electrolyte that helps regulate fluid balance and blood pressure by counteracting the effects of excess sodium.

Minerals in milk are highly bioavailable. This is partly because compounds like casein phosphopeptides and lactose help keep minerals soluble in the digestive tract, increasing their absorption.

Yes, milk contains important trace minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and selenium, which play key roles in immune function, enzyme activity, and metabolism.

No, the mineral content can vary. For example, the processing and fortification status of milk (e.g., skim vs. whole) and the animal source (e.g., cow vs. goat) can influence its mineral profile.

People with certain health conditions, like late-stage chronic kidney disease, may be advised to limit their milk intake due to its high levels of potassium and phosphorus. Always consult a healthcare professional for personalized dietary advice.