Hot Milk and Honey: Fact vs Fiction on Safety

There is a huge buzz that ‘hot milk and honey’ is a dangerous combination. Quora is filled with these threads expressing concerns about the harmful effects of putting honey in warm milk. 

Recently, one of my patients raised this concern about drinking warm milk and honey. Someone in his close circle alarmed him about the side effects. But there were so many contradictory views on the net that he could not get one clear answer.

So, is hot milk and honey a toxic combination?

Scientific explanation: Hot milk and honey!

Many of you might already know that you must never heat your honey. And this is not some old folklore passed through generations. There is a very scientific reason behind why you must not mix your honey with hot milk!

Increased Toxicity 

Heating honey releases a chemical called 5-hydroxymethylfurfural or HMF. This chemical is toxic in nature. It’s named under possible carcinogens, substances that can cause cancer. Thus, blending honey in hot milk changes the properties of honey into toxic.

National Center for Biotechnology Information advises against heating honey. It’s best taken in raw form. The temperature increase allowed for honey is less than 140 degrees F. This is much lower than your glass of hot milk. 

Reduced Benefits

Also, dipping honey in hot milk robs the benefits of honey. Some nutrients in honey tend to get denatured which means most of the health benefits are gone. That’s why Ayurveda advises against dipping your honey in hot milk. 

What Ayurveda says?

According to Ayurveda, warm honey is a complete no-no. It has a tendency to cause ‘ama’ in the body. Ama is nothing but toxins. These toxins can impair your digestion and can even cause other diseases on prolonged consumption.

The Vaidyas further explain that as hot honey slowly gets digested in the body, its properties turn similar to that of a poison. Though it is not a fatal poison but it sure can harm your health.

So, should you avoid drinking honey with milk?

Of course, not!

Honey and milk are two of nature’s most sacred treasures. They are potent healing and nurturing substances. They are considered sacred in Hindu mythology for their mystical benefits to the human body.

And blending the two creates a powerpack dose of nutrition that offers some amazing benefits. Check out some of the scientifically proven benefits of drinking milk and honey.

Also Read: Amazing benefits of honey

5 Benefits of Drinking Milk and Honey 

It aids Digestion

Honey is a prebiotic. Hence, it promotes the growth of ‘good’ bacteria in your gut. Milk is nourishing and filling. When you drink milk and honey, it helps restore your bacterial flora. It also eliminates bloating, constipation and cramps. 

It’s an amazing stamina booster

Drinking cool milk and honey can improve your stamina. That’s why mothers are so obsessed with it. It’s rich in carbohydrates, proteins and other essential nutrients. It improves your metabolic rate and replenishes your energy.

It’s a great cure for Insomnia

Who thought Milk and honey could be the solution to one of the major millennial problems? Drinking milk and honey before bed has been used as a natural remedy for insomnia for centuries. 

It comes with Antibacterial Properties

Both milk and honey have strong antibacterial properties. It works great in treating intestinal disorders. It is also effective against infections of the upper respiratory tract and aids in relieving colds and cough.

Heals Respiratory Ailments

Honey is one of the best natural cures for respiratory ailments. It is effective in killing and flushing bacteria stuck in the throat. For our ancestors, it was the go-to cure for any respiratory problem. Milk and honey help in preventing and treating respiratory infections.

Also Read: An Ayurvedic Doctor’s take on milk

Take away!

‘Milk and honey’ is one of the super formulations that came from nature. It’s super nourishing, nutritious and healthy. And when you take them in the right way at the right time, they guard you against sickness. 

But dipping honey in hot milk robs all the benefits of this beverage and cause toxic effects. So, let your milk cool down before adding a spoonful of scrumptious honey!