Nutritional properties of milk lipids: specific function of the milk fat globule

Beyond fatty acid composition of milk fat that can impact the health of consumers, interest is growing regarding the importance of the supramolecular structure of milk lipids on their nutritional properties. Indeed, milk fat is found naturally under the form of an emulsion of lipid droplets called the milk fat globule (MFG) composed of a triglyceride core stabilized by a complex trilayered membrane called the MFG membrane. Recent researches have highlighted that this unique structure and the presence of bioactive lipids such as sphingomyelin could have a beneficial metabolic impact on lipid metabolism and contribute to intestinal and systemic health. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a focused overview on the composition of milk lipids, their organization as MFG and, their impact on lipid digestion and postprandial lipemia. In addition, the long-term effect on lipid metabolism and related metabolic players such as inflammation and gut microbiota are discussed.