Milk is a nutrient recognized by all, and its nutrition is indispensable for people of all ages and genders. Let's take a look at some taboos associated with drinking milk.
Don't drink it if you have a poor appetite
Milk containing fat can affect the contraction of the lower esophageal sphincter, increase the reflux of gastric or intestinal fluids, and worsen gastrointestinal discomfort.
Don't drink it on an empty stomach
Digesting milk requires enzymes. When you drink milk on an empty stomach, it stays in the stomach for a very short time, so the enzymes cannot mix thoroughly with the milk. The nutrients in the milk don't have enough time to be digested and absorbed before being excreted into the large intestine, which无形中 leads to waste. It's best to eat something before drinking milk or to drink it while eating food.
Don't mix milk with acidic drinks like juice
80% of the protein in milk is casein. When the pH of milk drops below 4.6, a large amount of casein will coagulate and precipitate, making it difficult to digest and absorb. In severe cases, it may even lead to indigestion or diarrhea.
Don't drink too much cold milk
Cold milk can affect gastrointestinal motility, causing mild diarrhea, and the nutrients in the milk cannot be fully absorbed.
Don't drink milk within 1 hour before or after taking medication
Because milk can form a film on the surface of the drug, causing minerals such as calcium and magnesium in the milk to react chemically with the drug, thereby affecting the drug's efficacy and absorption.
Avoid using a microwave to heat milk
The fast pace of modern life makes many office workers increasingly dependent on the microwave oven, especially at breakfast when people pursue speed and convenience. Therefore, heating milk in the microwave has become a common phenomenon. However, cooking food in a microwave is not a good thing. Although it won't burn or char our food like traditional cooking methods, the microwave can fundamentally change the chemical properties of food, reduce its nutritional value, and produce some toxins.
First of all, it is important to note that you cannot put packaged milk directly into the microwave for heating, as this will directly affect human health. Even if you use a microwave, you must first pour the milk into a microwave-safe container before heating it.
Of course, if you can avoid heating it, try not to, as this can preserve the complete nutritional value of the milk. If milk is heated in the microwave for too long, the high temperature will cause the protein in the milk to change from a sol state to a gel state, leading to sediment and affecting the quality of the dairy product. The longer the milk is heated and the higher the temperature, the more severe the loss of nutrients.
Drink a small glass of warm water after drinking milk at night
After drinking milk, your throat may feel dry and have an odd smell, which can easily lead to cavities. Therefore, it is essential to drink some warm water after consuming milk.
Milk is rich in nutrients and is often called the "white blood" essential for the human body. However, after drinking milk, people often feel their throat is dry and there is a strange taste in their mouth. Dr. Yang Hong from the Department of Stomatology at Beijing Hospital says this is because people overlook the final step—drinking a small glass of warm water.
Many people don't notice this small detail, thinking that brushing their teeth after drinking milk is enough, while others even go to sleep directly after drinking milk before bedtime. In fact, these are bad habits that can easily lead to oral diseases. Dairy products contain certain enzymes that can dry the mucous membranes of the throat, causing discomfort. A dry mouth provides a living environment for anaerobic bacteria, which not only accelerates bacterial growth but also breaks down the protein in dairy products, producing gases containing sulfides that cause bad breath. In addition, residual bacteria in the mouth can disrupt the acid-base balance, creating plaque, which can lead to a series of oral problems such as cavities and gingivitis.
"To prevent the growth of bacteria in the mouth, you can simply drink a small glass of warm water right after drinking milk." The ideal temperature for the water is between 20°C and 45°C. It not only cleanses the remaining milk from the mouth but also rinses away milk residue from the throat, serving to clean the mouth and soothe the throat.