Studies say milkshakes can increase the risk of heart disease.
Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death globally and, in most cases, it is caused by dietary or lifestyle choices. Studies show that eating foods that are high in fats and calories can lead to unhealthy changes in your blood vessels and red blood cells that can eventually lead to heart diseases.
A milkshake is one such high-fat beverage. Milk is healthy and so are fruits, but mixing the two may not be the best idea. Further milkshakes come with added sugar, whipped cream, and ice cream which makes it a high-calorie food that is too heavy to digest.
Also Read: Avoid This Common Eating Mistake
Milkshakes and Heart disease – Study
In a study, researchers found that drinking milkshakes can result in a noticeable change in the blood vessels and red blood cells. The shape of their red blood cells changed from smooth to spiky. Also, certain studies say that fruit and milk are both nutrient-dense foods that are very healthy when consumed separately. Combining the two results in an immense release of energy in the body. When this excess energy is not used by the body, it gets stored in the fat cells resulting in weight gain.
Another study claimed that high-fat snacks or meals, even once a day, can affect the body’s circulatory system and increase the risk of heart disease. Researchers say that the effects of drinking a glass of milkshake on blood vessels are temporary, but consuming this beverage on a regular basis can result in chronic disease and illness.
If you’re going to drink milkshakes, choose varieties with lower concentrations of saturated fat. A milkshake made with skim milk, for instance, will have significantly less fat than a traditional milkshake made of full fat or 2% fat milk. Avoiding unnecessary ingredients like chocolate syrup and cookies can also lower the fat content of milkshakes. Instead, choose natural and nutritious ingredients like fresh fruits. You can still enjoy an occasional milkshake as a tasty treat, but you must be conscious of what it’s made of.
Also Read: 10 Common Health Mistakes to Avoid Every Day
Milkshakes and Heart disease – Ayurvedic View
Ayurveda highlights the importance of eating right. It is not just what you eat but also when and how you eat. According to Vedic science, pairing two healthy foods may not always result in a healthy combination.
In fact, food combinations are very important. Eating the wrong food combinations can impact your digestion, gut health, and overall health. According to Ayurveda, one such food combination is milk and fruits – which comes together in milkshakes. Milkshakes can disrupt the normal functioning of the gastric fire and upset the balance of the doshas. It is an incompatible food combination that can result in indigestion, gas formation, and bloating.
Ayurveda says sour fruits, bananas, mangoes, and milk should never be blended with milk and yogurt. Fruits tend to be acidic in nature, especially fruits that aren’t fully ripe; When combined with milk it leads to curdling. Our bodies need different enzymes to break the protein from milk and different enzymes to break down fruits. Thus, eating fruit and milk together confuses the digestive process of the body.
Finally, Ayurveda says fruits with milk diminish Agni and changes the intestinal flora. This results in a build-up of toxins and causes sinus congestion, cold, cough, allergies, hives, and rash in some people.
Your Takeaway!
This is often one of the biggest mistakes that people make. They make their own blended drinks by mixing different fruits with milk and laden them with too much sugar. Consuming too much sugar can result in a spike in insulin levels. Also, consuming a large number of fatty foods increase the risk of weight gain. It further increases the risk of hypertension, harmful cholesterol levels, and coronary heart diseases. Another study also found that sugar-based diets are linked to early dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Milk and fruits are both healthy foods rich in many nutrients. However, the combination of the two is not necessarily a healthy combination. They are of different natures and are not compatible together. Your body can handle a glass of milkshake every once in a while but consuming it regularly can increase the risk of heart attacks.
