Folklore has long held beliefs such as "drinking milk in the summer causes internal heat" and "the nutritional value of milk is not as good in the summer as in the winter." As the weather gets hotter, some people find themselves in a dilemma. Given that milk has been scientifically proven to be highly nutritious, should one drink it during the summer or not?
High summer temperatures cause excessive sweating, which leads to the loss of minerals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and zinc. The results of the Third National Nutrition Survey conducted by the Institute of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, Chinese Academy of Preventive Medicine, show that calcium is currently the most deficient nutrient among Chinese residents. The average person's calcium intake is less than 50% of the recommended amount, and the objective phenomenon of calcium loss through sweat in the summer exacerbates the problem of calcium deficiency in the body! Drinking milk is the best way for the body to supplement calcium, and no other beverage can compare.
Nutrition experts also point out that according to Traditional Chinese Medicine theory, milk is sweet in taste and slightly cold in nature, with effects of moistening the lungs and stomach, nourishing the skin, promoting fluid production to moisten the intestines and relieve constipation, and tonifying deficiency. Milk contains about 70% water, and the protein and fat in milk are easily digested and absorbed by the human body. Therefore, drinking milk in the hot summer can replenish the water lost due to sweating and can also add nutrients, which is extremely beneficial for maintaining health in the summer.
Furthermore, milk contains various immunoglobulins, such as antibodies against Salmonella and antibodies against the poliovirus, which can greatly enhance the body's immune and disease-fighting capabilities. Therefore, drinking milk in the summer not only does not cause "internal heat" but can also clear heat and detoxify. The nutritional value of milk is not inherently linked to the season of winter or summer. On the contrary, people's metabolism speeds up in the summer, requiring more nutritional supply, so consumers can drink milk with confidence.
Food experts specially remind consumers to pay special attention to the safety of milk quality when purchasing and drinking it in the summer. Because milk is rich in nutrients, it is also a breeding ground for bacteria and can spoil very easily, thus it has very strict requirements for conditions such as temperature and light.
The market offers a wide variety of milk products. One should choose milk of high quality, rich in nutrition, and safe to drink. Many people now prefer to buy boxed shelf-stable milk from supermarkets. This type of milk is subjected to ultra-high temperature conditions to instantly kill all harmful bacteria and microorganisms, and then it is packaged into sterile paper cartons or pillow packs under sterile conditions. The aseptic paper packaging is a six-layer composite of paper, aluminum, and plastic, which can isolate air, light, and bacteria. It contains no preservatives and can protect the nutrition and taste of milk at room temperature, making it convenient to drink anytime and anywhere.
Experts recommend drinking milk packaged in aseptic cartons or bags in the summer. This milk has been sterilized at high temperatures for a short period (UHT), and its packaging material is a six-layer composite of paper, aluminum, and plastic, which effectively isolates milk from the harm of light, bacteria, and air. It can be stored for a long time at room temperature without adding preservatives, is convenient to drink anytime and anywhere, and is not only suitable for home consumption but also an essential drink for summer outings.