The scorching summer is approaching, and major milk brands have recently launched new products to capture the summer market. However, there is a common saying that drinking milk in the summer can easily lead to "heatiness." Is summer really a suitable time to drink milk? What principles should be followed when drinking milk in the summer? Which groups of people are not suitable for drinking milk in the summer? Reporter specially invited Director Li Hongguang from the Nutrition Department of the People's Hospital to teach you how to drink milk healthily in the summer. Benefits of Drinking Milk in Summer
Milk is rich in nutrition and is a nourishing delicacy for the elderly, weak, sick, and young. But recently, citizen Li heard a saying: drinking milk in the winter leads to better absorption and greater effects; whereas in the summer, the hot weather causes the body to sweat more, and drinking milk can easily cause "heatiness." In response, Li Hongguang stated that milk is a neutral food, and summer "heatiness" is mainly related to the weather, not so much to the food.
In fact, milk is sweet in taste and slightly cold in nature, with effects such as moistening the lungs and stomach, promoting the production of body fluids, relieving constipation, tonifying deficiency, and detoxifying. On a scorching summer day, people sweat easily. Milk contains about 78% water, and its proteins and fats are easily digested and absorbed by the human body. Therefore, drinking milk in the summer not only replenishes the water lost by the body but also adds nutritional value, which is extremely beneficial for maintaining good health.
Doctors suggest that there are many benefits to drinking milk in the summer, especially for the elderly and children who should not stop drinking milk during this time. In the summer, it is advisable to drink milk in aseptic cartons or paper bags. This type of milk has been ultra-high temperature pasteurized, effectively isolating it from light, bacteria, and air, allowing it to be stored for a long time at room temperature without the need for preservatives. It is convenient to drink anytime and anywhere, suitable not only for home consumption but also as an essential drink for summer outings. Three Principles for Drinking Milk in Summer
When the hot summer arrives, many people's eating habits also change, and cold drinks gradually become a favorite for many citizens. Citizen Lin, for example, is accustomed to drinking frozen milk, consuming at least four bottles a day. Is this way of drinking correct? How can one drink milk more effectively in the summer? In fact, there are three main principles to follow when drinking milk in the summer. □ Principle One: Moderate Consumption
When drinking milk, one should also pay attention to the principle of moderation. The human body only needs a certain amount of nutrients daily to meet its needs, and milk is a highly nutritious food. Therefore, do not overconsume it, as there are other sources of nutrition in your daily diet. Additionally, for some people, milk can be difficult to digest and absorb. Drinking too much can actually reduce the absorption of its nutrients. Therefore, it is crucial to drink milk in moderation. □ Principle Two: Avoid Cold Milk
Many people in the summer like to drink frozen milk, but cold beverages can cause the gastrointestinal tract to contract, which defeats the purpose of drinking milk for health. Some consumers may also experience primary lactose intolerance, specifically manifesting as nausea, bloating, abdominal rumbling, and diarrhea after drinking fresh milk. Lactose intolerance prevents the body from fully absorbing the nutrients in milk. Therefore, it is best to drink milk at room temperature, or let refrigerated milk sit for a while before drinking, or choose more easily absorbed fermented dairy products. □ Principle Three: Timing
Some people may experience lactose intolerance from drinking milk, making it a substance that is not easily digested and absorbed for them. Drinking it before or after meals can reduce the digestive system's ability to absorb nutrients. If consumed before bedtime, it not only has a calming effect but also protects the stomach and intestines. Patients Should Drink Milk According to Their Condition
Although milk is nutritious and suitable for all ages, some patients with certain illnesses are not suitable for drinking milk, while others may benefit more from it. 4 Types of Patients Who Should Not Drink Milk
For patients with lactase deficiency, milk has a high lactose content, but it must be broken down into galactose and glucose by the digestive enzyme lactase before it can be absorbed by the body. If lactase is deficient, consuming milk can cause abdominal pain and diarrhea. For patients with cholecystitis and pancreatitis, the digestion of fat in milk requires bile and pancreatic lipase. Drinking milk will increase the burden on the gallbladder and pancreas, thereby worsening the condition.
In fact, patients who have undergone abdominal surgery should also avoid drinking milk. Such patients often have intestinal bloating, and milk contains a lot of fat and casein, which is not easily digested in the gastrointestinal tract. It can ferment and produce gas, worsening the bloating and hindering the recovery of intestinal peristalsis. Additionally, patients with peptic ulcers should also drink less milk. Although milk can soothe the irritation of stomach acid on the ulcer, it can also stimulate the gastrointestinal mucosa to secrete a large amount of stomach acid, which can aggravate the condition. 3 Types of Patients Who Should Drink More Milk
The four types of patients mentioned above are not suitable for drinking milk, but patients with osteoporosis, cardiovascular diseases, and atrophic gastritis are suitable to drink milk regularly and in larger quantities.
Osteoporosis is not only related to calcium deficiency but is also closely related to a lack of manganese and vitamin D. This is because the trace element manganese not only participates in the activation of many enzymes in the body but also works with vitamin D to promote the body's absorption of the mineral calcium. Under a doctor's guidance, patients with osteoporosis should also drink milk regularly.
For patients with cardiovascular diseases, the potassium, calcium, zinc, and protein methionine in milk have effects such as stabilizing mood and lowering blood pressure. At the same time, the unique component of milk, orotic acid, can also lower blood cholesterol levels and protect the heart by increasing protein levels and reducing myocardial tension.
The protein in milk changes due to heating. These denatured proteins and the phospholipids in milk adhere tightly to the stomach wall, protecting the gastric mucosa and stimulating the cells of the gastric mucosal wall to secrete, which helps repair the injured gastric mucosa and facilitates recovery and treatment of gastritis. Therefore, for patients with atrophic gastritis, it is advisable to drink milk regularly and in larger quantities.