Milk is rich in nutrients such as calcium, protein, and vitamins. Nutrition experts remind that healthy milk consumption requires attention to pairing, as milk should not be consumed with three types of food.
First, milk cannot be eaten with leeks or spinach. When mixed with vegetables high in oxalic acid, the absorption of calcium is affected.
Second, milk and acidic fruits cannot be eaten together. More than 80% of the protein in milk is casein. In an acidic environment, casein is prone to coagulation, leading to indigestion or diarrhea. Therefore, it is not advisable to consume acidic fruits about an hour before or after drinking milk or dairy products.
Third, milk and chocolate are not suitable to be eaten together. Milk is rich in protein and calcium, while chocolate contains oxalic acid. Consuming them together can form calcium oxalate, which affects the absorption of calcium.
Regarding the habit of some people using milk instead of plain water to take medicine, experts remind that milk can easily form a coating on the surface of the medicine. The calcium, magnesium, and other minerals in the milk can then react chemically with the drug to form water-soluble substances, thereby affecting the drug's release and absorption. Therefore, do not drink milk for one hour before or after taking medication.