Milk has now become a necessity in people's lives, but many people drink it all in one big gulp... There is a saying that drinking milk too quickly can cause diarrhea. So, is this saying true?
Does drinking milk too quickly cause diarrhea?
Just as it's recommended to "chew slowly and swallow carefully" when eating, the same principle applies to drinking milk. Drinking too quickly places a certain burden on the stomach and intestines. Lactase cannot reach the body's required levels in such a short time, leading to stress-induced lactose intolerance, which may cause diarrhea and also affect the rate of digestion and absorption.
In other words, for people who don't like milk but force themselves to drink it for its nutritional value, drinking it all in one go might lead to a waste of nutrients.
Experts point out that although some people are accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle of eating and drinking quickly and have strong gastrointestinal tolerance, experiencing no discomfort even when gulping down large amounts of milk, from a long-term health perspective, milk should also be drunk slowly, sip by sip. The practice of chugging a whole glass or bottle at once is not recommended.
What to pay attention to when drinking milk
Milk should not be consumed on an empty stomach. For better absorption of various nutrients, it's better to eat something like bread before drinking milk.
Do not drink cold milk, as it may cause mild diarrhea.
People allergic to milk must avoid it, otherwise, mild cases may only cause abdominal pain, while severe cases might lead to serious illnesses.
If you add sugar to heated milk, you should wait until it has cooled down before adding it. Otherwise, lysine in the milk will react with fructose, a decomposition product of sugar, at high temperatures to form fructoselysine, which is harmful to human health.
Boiled milk should not be stored in a thermos. Because milk is a high-protein liquid, it is prone to spoilage at temperatures above 40°C. A thermos inevitably contains bacteria, and once the milk is contaminated, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to fermentation and spoilage. Consuming it can easily cause illness.
Milk cannot be eaten with acidic things, such as sour plum soup or bayberries, as it may cause indigestion.