Since childhood, we are taught that it is important to drink a glass of milk every day to stay healthy. The reason for this is that milk is considered a ‘complete food’, which contains many essential nutrients. Often people like to drink hot milk before sleeping at night, but it is important to keep in mind that the true benefits of milk are available only when it is drunk at the right time and in the right way. Especially, drinking milk immediately after meals can be harmful for your health. Let us know in detail what is the right time to drink milk after food and how it should be drunk.
Why should one not drink milk immediately after meals?
According to Ayurveda, drinking milk before sleeping at night is considered like nectar, but it is advised to avoid drinking it immediately after eating. Many reasons account for this:
- Effect on digestive system:
- When you eat food, the process of digesting food continues for about an hour.
- If you drink milk immediately, it may mix with the food already present in the stomach and affect the digestion process.
- This can cause problems like gas, indigestion, and stomach pain.
- Adverse effects of milk and salt:
- In Ayurveda, milk and salt are considered opposite foods.
- Salt is often present in food. In such a situation, drinking milk immediately after eating can increase toxins in the body and cause other health problems.
- Correct absorption of nutrients:
- By drinking milk immediately after eating food, your body does not get the proper benefit of the nutrients of both milk and food.
Right time to drink milk after eating
Now the question is, when should one drink milk after meals?
- According to Ayurveda, it is beneficial to drink milk only after keeping a gap of at least one hour after eating.
- This time helps your body to digest the food eaten earlier and absorb the nutrients of the milk properly.
Advice on eating late night and drinking milk
- If you have late night meal, avoid drinking milk that day.
- Drinking milk at such times can further affect your digestive system.
right way to drink milk
- Always drink lukewarm milk:
- It is better to heat milk lightly as it is easily digested.
- Drinking cold milk or very hot milk can cause stomach discomfort.
- Do not drink milk on an empty stomach:
- Drinking milk on an empty stomach in the morning can cause gastric problems.
- Add turmeric, saffron, or honey to milk:
- These things further increase the nutrition of milk and also help in digesting it.
Health benefits associated with drinking milk
- Bone strength:
- Calcium and Vitamin D present in milk make bones strong.
- Better Sleep:
- Drinking milk before sleeping at night helps in good sleep.
- Source of Energy:
- The proteins and carbohydrates present in milk help in maintaining energy throughout the day.
