Milk, as an important nutritional supplement and beverage in life, is said that only the poor used to drink milk. Now, milk has transformed into a super-nutritious drink suitable for almost everyone! However, many people still have difficulty digesting milk. Nutrition experts suggest that there are 4 "best times" of the day to drink milk for optimal results.
The 4 Best Times to Drink Milk
1. At Breakfast
The caloric supply from breakfast accounts for 25% to 30% of the body's total daily energy needs. Drinking a glass of milk for breakfast, along with an egg or bread, can provide ample nutrition.
2. Half an Hour After a Meal
Another best time to drink milk is half an hour after a meal, because milk has a laxative effect, which is more pronounced when consumed with honey. Therefore, drinking a glass of honey milk after a meal can prevent intestinal issues like constipation. The various enzymes in milk also help in food digestion, allowing us to absorb more nutrients from our food.
3. After Exercise
Drinking milk after a workout can not only replenish energy but also supplement calcium and vitamins, helping to strengthen bones and build muscle. Choosing this time to drink milk is ideal because the water in it not only replenishes fluids lost during exercise, but the whey protein is also better absorbed by the body due to accelerated blood circulation.
4. Before Bed
Drinking milk before bed is not only because milk has a good sedative effect, but also because our digestive function is most active while we sleep. A glass of milk before bed allows the inorganic salts, vitamins, amino acids, and other nutrients it contains to be well absorbed. Furthermore, the protein in milk can prevent the stomach and intestines from absorbing heavy metal salts, contributing to a longer, healthier life.
Precautions When Drinking Milk
1. Is the Thicker the Milk, the Better?
Some people believe that the thicker the milk, the more nutrition the body gets, but this is not scientific. So-called "overly concentrated milk" refers to adding too much milk powder and too little water, making the milk's concentration exceed the normal standard. Others may add milk powder to fresh milk because they fear it is too thin. For people with poor intestinal function, drinking concentrated milk can cause diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite, and even acute hemorrhagic enteritis. This is because the digestive systems of such individuals cannot handle the excessive burden.
2. Milk + Orange Juice or Lemon Juice
Is it better to add some orange juice or lemon juice to milk for flavor? Actually, no. Orange juice and lemon juice are both fruits high in fruit acid. When fruit acid comes into contact with the protein in milk, it causes the protein to denature, reducing the nutritional value of the milk.
3. Milk + Chocolate
While milk and coffee make a great combination, some might think milk and chocolate are a beneficial pairing. This is not the case. The calcium in milk reacts with the oxalic acid in chocolate. In severe cases, this can even lead to symptoms like dry hair, calcium deficiency, and an increased risk of fractures.
4. Milk + Medicine
Some believe that taking medicine with a nutritious substance like milk is beneficial, but this is extremely wrong. Milk can significantly affect the body's absorption rate of drugs, causing the concentration of the drug in the blood to be markedly lower than in those who take it without milk, over the same period. Taking medicine with milk can also easily cause a film to form on the drug's surface, causing chemical reactions between the drug and minerals like calcium and magnesium in the milk. This forms insoluble substances, which not only reduces the drug's effectiveness but may also be harmful to the body. Therefore, it is best not to drink milk one to two hours before or after taking medication.
5. Milk + Rice Soup or Porridge
Some think this combination is nutritionally complementary. This practice is, however, unscientific. Milk contains Vitamin A, while rice soup and porridge are primarily starch-based and contain lipoxidase, which destroys Vitamin A. Therefore, even for the sake of nutrition, the two should be consumed separately.
To better absorb the nutrients from milk, you also need to choose the type of milk that is right for you!