Milk provides the human body with rich nutrition such as protein. So, when is the best time to drink milk? And what are the precautions for drinking milk? Do you know?
1. Drinking milk at night is beneficial for rest and sleep
It is best to drink milk at night because milk contains a biochemical substance called L-tryptophan that can cause drowsiness, as well as trace amounts of morphine-like substances. These substances have a certain sedative and hypnotic effect. L-tryptophan, in particular, is a main raw material for the brain to synthesize serotonin, which plays a key role in sleep. It can temporarily inhibit the brain's thinking activities, making people want to sleep without any side effects. Moreover, milk adheres well to the stomach wall for absorption, and the calcium in milk can also relieve tension. Therefore, it is more beneficial for the elderly's sleep. Hence, drinking milk at night is good for rest and sleep.
2. Drinking milk before bed is beneficial for the absorption and utilization of calcium
Most of the calcium consumed at dinner is absorbed and utilized by the body before sleep. After falling asleep, especially after midnight, the level of calcium in the blood gradually decreases. This drop in blood calcium promotes the over-secretion of the parathyroid gland. The hormone acts on bone tissue, causing some of the calcium salts in the bone to dissolve into the blood to maintain a stable balance of blood calcium. This dissolution is a self-regulation function of the body, but over time, it can become one of the causes of osteoporosis. Drinking milk before bed at night allows the calcium in the milk to be slowly absorbed by the blood, replenishing and maintaining blood calcium levels throughout the night. This prevents the need to dissolve calcium from the bones, thus preventing bone loss and osteoporosis. Therefore, drinking milk before bed is good.
Precautions for drinking milk:
1. Milk should not be eaten with oranges
For about an hour before or after drinking milk, it is not advisable to eat oranges. This is because the protein in milk will coagulate when it encounters the citric acid in oranges, affecting the digestion and absorption of milk. During this time, it is also not advisable to consume other acidic fruits.
2. Milk should not be eaten with eggs
Both eggs and milk are rich in protein. However, when a person is fasting in the morning, they need to consume carbohydrates. Some starchy foods should be added. If the meal consists only of protein, most of the protein will be broken down to provide energy and cannot be used to supplement the essential proteins needed by the body.