HEALTH: Milk : Secret, Story & Fact!!!

Courtesy: Sparshita Saxena /Sarika Rana

Should You Boil Milk Before Drinking it?

Indian mothers have a prolonged habit of boiling packaged milk to assure that the heating has killed all the germs and will last longer when stored. Most Indian households drink packaged milk rather than raw milk considering the quality and price. We all are aware that boiling raw milk kills harmful bacteria to prevent any health hazards.

It is a general tendency to boil both raw and packaged milk, however, it is imperative to understand that only raw milk needs boiling to remove any possible bacteria and packaged milk may not need boiling as it is already pasteurized.

Read on to know if we should really boil milk before drinking it or leave it as it is... 

Pasteurized and Raw Milk: What's the fact?

Before the availability of packaged milk, Indians bought milk directly from the dairy farms. Hence, they followed the process of pasteurization (boiling in simple terms) to remove any pathogens, which are disease causing microorganisms.

"According to the book Diet & Nutrition: A Holistic Approach by Rudolph M. Ballentine, the need to preserve milk has led to milk being pasteurized" 

Considering the temperature milk is being pasteurized at, it may fail to destroy all the microorganisms that are present and may become difficult to digest.

Boiling milk sterilizes it without necessarily destroying its nutritional advantages. Fresh raw milk, which has been brought to a boil, also has a taste often found more appealing than just ordinary pasteurized, homogeneous packaged milk.

So, according to the Nutritionists, It is absolutely okay to boil packaged milk, even if you are doing so out of habit. Some people like removing the creamy layer formed on the surface of the milk and some just like consuming it hot. There are no harmful effects in boiling the milk again and again; it wouldn’t lose its nutritional value.

It is Okay to Boil Milk Before Drinking!

According to the Department of Food Science in Cornell University, pasteurized or boiled milk has a longer shelf life than raw milk, contrary to the myth that boiling milk will not reduce its lactose content. Raw milk may harbor E.coli, salmonella and other harmful bacteria. Bacteria in raw milk are dangerous for people with weak immunity, pregnant women, children and older adults.

As per Ohio State University, modern pasteurization methods heat milk near to boiling point for brief periods of time then cool it rapidly to minimize the disruption of flavor and nutritional components. Therefore, you can easily boil packaged milk before drinking without worrying about losing its nutrient value and store it for a longer period in a cool place.

Note: Raw milk from the dairy farms must be boiled to remove bacteria, it is okay if you do not boil the packaged milk as it is already gone through the process of pasteurization; unless you want it served hot and steamy.

__________________________________________________________

Should You Be Having Milk On An Empty Stomach?

Over the past few years, I have realized that 'when you eat' is equally important as 'what you eat'. Food combinations and timings can influence your health, nutrient absorption and a lot of other things. Diet planning is a meticulous process that should be based on the effectiveness and alertness of various bodily processes which take place throughout the day. These functions need to be supplied with the right kind of nutrition at the right time.

It's recently known that drinking milk just before sleeping may not be as healthy as previously thought. Milk is a meal in itself and consuming it just before turning in may slow down the digestion process and cause gastric problems for some people. It is like having another meal post dinner!!!!!

So.. should you rather have milk first thing in morning? Most of us, quickly gulp down a glass full of milk or a cold coffee on our way out before eating anything else. But, is it the right thing to do or should you avoid having milk on an empty stomach?

Milk, the first meal for many..

Milk is a complete meal in itself. Traditionally, most of us are used to starting our day with a glass of milk. Those who are not lactose-intolerant can have a glass of milk in the morning to ensure a supply of essential nutrients right at the start of the day. It's not a problem in consuming milk on an empty stomach unless you suffer from poor digestion, gastric issues or are lactose intolerant.

Not an ideal first meal?

Nutritionists will not recommend milk as the first thing you should have to start your day. Lemon water or apple cider vinegar are healthier options to kick start your day & then milk can be added in your cereal or have it in combination with something else.

If your stomach is empty, you should always start with something light that has a cleansing effect on your system. Chaach or other fermented versions are much easier to digest.

Ayurveda speaks: 

Milk should not ideally be had by everyone on an empty stomach. It depends on what body composition you have. If you are air dominated (Vata) or Kapha dominated (water), never have milk on an empty stomach. Those prone to cough and flu should also not have it the first thing in morning. People with hyper acidic tendency can have cold milk as calcium when mixed with acid turns into salt and relieves acute acidity. Vata composition people can have milk anytime in the day and can benefit a lot by drinking milk with jaggery.

All in all, different body types react differently to milk. A person prone to food allergies must be extra cautious. Your daily diet should be tailor-made to suit what your body requires. Listen to your body, you will know if having a certain ingredient on an empty stomach revs up your energy or leaves you with a squeamish, heavy feeling. 

__________________________________________________________

"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver"
-- Mahatma Gandhi


Have a Happy Life. Cheers...!!!!