Experts say that drinking milk before bed is a very good idea. On the contrary, many people are in the habit of drinking milk in the morning, and experts suggest that it is best not to drink milk on an empty stomach in the morning, as it is not good for your body.
Is it good to drink milk before going to sleep?
It is best to drink milk at night because milk contains a substance called L-tryptophan, which is a biochemical that makes people feel tired and sleepy, as well as trace amounts of morphine-like substances. These substances have a certain sedative and hypnotic effect. Especially L-tryptophan, it is the main raw material for the brain to synthesize serotonin, which plays a key role in brain sleep. It can temporarily inhibit the brain's thinking activities, making people want to sleep, and without any side effects.
Moreover, milk sticks to the stomach wall for better absorption, and the calcium in milk can also relieve tension, so it is more beneficial for the elderly's sleep. Therefore, drinking milk at night is good for people's rest and sleep.
When is it not good to drink milk?
Some adults have the habit of drinking milk in the morning. This method is not scientific. The reason is that after a night of sleep, the stomach has long been emptied and is ready to digest food. At this time, the stomach empties quickly, and milk is a liquid, which makes the stomach empty even faster. Drinking milk on an empty stomach, it is not fully digested and absorbed in the stomach before being discharged into the intestine, causing a loss of nutrients.
Milk is rich in high-quality protein. The main function of these proteins is to build new body tissues and repair existing tissues. If you drink milk on an empty stomach, not only will the milk be quickly expelled from the stomach, but the precious protein will also be broken down by the body for energy, which cannot fully play its due role. It's a real pity.
The protein in milk is broken down by pepsin in the stomach and various enzymes in the small intestine into various amino acids before it can be absorbed and utilized in the small intestine. Drinking milk on an empty stomach causes the stomach to empty quickly, so some protein is not broken down into amino acids, and some amino acids are not absorbed in time in the small intestine and are discharged into the large intestine. In the large intestine, these proteins and amino acids are decomposed and corrupted into substances harmful to the human body, so that the precious protein cannot fully play its due role. It also increases the burden on the body.
To change this situation, first of all, do not drink milk on an empty stomach in the morning, but drink it 1-2 hours after breakfast. Food in the stomach prevents the disadvantages of drinking milk on an empty stomach. Second, eat some starchy foods before drinking milk, such as steamed buns. Third, when drinking milk in the morning, also eat some starchy foods such as steamed buns, rice, bread, biscuits, or pastries. This can make the milk stay in the stomach for a longer time, allowing the milk and gastric juice to fully undergo enzymatic hydrolysis, so that the protein can be well digested and absorbed.
Milk has a sedative effect. In the morning, people are full of energy for study and work. Drinking milk makes people feel drowsy, which is detrimental to study and work. Therefore, it is best not to drink milk on an empty stomach in the morning.