When is the best time to drink fresh milk?
Apr 14, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Zhengxin
Introduction
The timing of consuming fresh milk affects nutrient absorption, and drinking it at inappropriate times can also burden the stomach. It is best to drink milk in the evening, as milk contains tryptophan—a biochemical compound that induces drowsiness—as well as trace amounts of morphine-like substances. These components exert notable sedative and hypnotic effects, effectively promoting sleep and improving sleep quality.
Many adults and children today enjoy drinking milk, yet few know the optimal time to consume fresh milk for maximum health benefits. So, when is the best time to drink fresh milk?
When Should You Drink Fresh Milk?
The timing of milk consumption affects nutrient absorption, and drinking milk at inappropriate times may place undue strain on the stomach. The ideal time to drink milk is in the evening. This is because milk contains tryptophan—a biochemical compound that induces drowsiness—as well as trace amounts of morphine-like substances, both of which exert calming and sleep-promoting effects, effectively enhancing sleep onset and improving overall sleep quality.
Elderly individuals and younger adults experiencing high work-related stress often suffer from insomnia. Drinking a glass of warm milk before bed can significantly alleviate insomnia, while the calcium in milk also helps relax tense muscles and nerves.
Drinking milk before bedtime is especially beneficial—not only does it improve sleep quality, but it also provides excellent calcium supplementation. During sleep, blood calcium levels gradually decline. This drop triggers increased secretion of parathyroid hormone, which in turn stimulates the release of calcium salts from bone tissue into the bloodstream to maintain stable serum calcium levels. Calcium from milk is slowly absorbed into the bloodstream throughout the night, ensuring sustained replenishment of blood calcium and preventing further dissolution of calcium from bone—thus helping prevent bone loss and osteoporosis.
Additionally, it is not advisable to drink milk on an empty stomach in the morning. When consumed without food, milk passes through the stomach too quickly and may enter the intestines before being fully digested and absorbed, resulting in significant nutrient loss. We hope this information proves helpful to you.
