Nowadays, to ensure adequate nutrition, many parents encourage their children to drink milk. Milk is rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum, and regular consumption is highly beneficial to the human body. But have you heard? The issue of drinking milk too quickly causing diarrhea has garnered significant attention. So, is there a scientific basis for this? Let's find out more!
Drinking Milk Too Quickly Can Cause Diarrhea
When eating, the principle is "to chew slowly." The same applies to drinking milk. Drinking too quickly places a burden on the stomach and intestines. Lactase cannot reach the required level in the body in such a short time, leading to stress-induced lactose intolerance, which may cause diarrhea and affect the rate of digestion and absorption. In other words, for those who don't like milk but force themselves to drink it for its nutritional value, gulping it down can lead to a waste of nutrients.
Experts point out that while some people are accustomed to a fast-paced lifestyle of eating and drinking quickly and have strong gastrointestinal tolerance, able to gulp down large amounts of milk without discomfort, from a long-term health perspective, milk should still be sipped slowly. The practice of chugging a whole glass or bottle at once is not recommended.
Control the Temperature When Adding Sugar
It's a common belief among many parents that unsweetened milk is not easily digested by children. However, experts explain that adding sugar is meant to increase the calories supplied by carbohydrates, but it must be done in moderation, generally 5-8 grams of sugar per 100 milliliters of milk. If too much sugar is added, it is detrimental to the growth and development of infants and young children. Excess sugar in a baby's body can cause water retention, making muscles and subcutaneous tissues soft and weak. Such a baby may appear plump, but their body's resistance is poor, a condition medically known as a "pasty" physique. Excess sugar stored in the body can also become a risk factor for certain diseases, such as cavities, myopia, and arteriosclerosis.
Additionally, when sweetening milk, sucrose is the best choice. After sucrose enters the digestive tract, it is broken down by digestive fluids into glucose, which is then absorbed by the body. There is no need for parents to specially buy glucose for their children. Glucose has a low sweetness level, so using it can easily exceed the recommended amount, and children might refuse to drink it because it's not sweet enough.