Most people start their day with a glass of milk. After all, it’s complete nutrition, a healthy punch of energy. However, Ayurveda says you are doing it wrong. Read on to know the best time to drink milk as per Ayurveda!
There is no doubt that cow’s milk is one of the healthiest nutritional foods on earth.
It’s loaded with proteins and vitamins, calcium, and minerals.
But most people think milk is something just for children and elders.
That’s not true!
It’s important to include milk in your diet irrespective of your age.
Another thing that’s equally important is to drink it in the right way at the right time.
Ayurveda gives a logical explanation of the best time to have milk!
Also Read: An Ayurvedic Doctor’s take on milk
What’s the best time to drink milk according to Ayurveda?
For the longest time, children started their day with a glass of milk. This is a habit imbibed from infancy which continues till adulthood and beyond. A rich punch of healthy nutrition, it sounds like the perfect drink to start a refreshing morning!
Several nutritionists also advise not to eat or drink anything too close to bedtime. They believe a dose of energy at night may prevent the brain from shutting down. This further made people believe that morning is the best time to drink milk.
That’s why many people start their day with a bowl of milk and cereals or oats.
But Ayurveda has a different opinion!
Ayurveda says, consuming milk at different times during the day can have different effects.
When consumed properly, milk nourishes all tissues and balances all doshas.
Check out the pros and cons of consuming milk at different times of the day.
Also Read: Drinking warm water before bedtime
Drinking Milk in the Morning
Ayurvedic sages said drinking milk in the morning is good but only till the age of 5.
Pros
- Drinking milk in the morning can be beneficial in building muscles.
- People who are trying to gain lean muscle mass can drink it in the morning.
- It’s a high-protein energy drink good for young children who are very active.
Cons
- Milk is heavy to digest and this can make you sluggish.
- It acts as a mild sedative. This can make you sleepy and less energetic.
- Because of its heavy nature and difficulty in digestion, it can cause indigestion.
The best thing to start your morning with is a lukewarm glass of water. Follow it with an herbal Ayurvedic juice like aloe vera juice, amla juice, cabbage juice, or lemon water. You can then go for a nutritious breakfast.
Also Read: What to do when your child won’t drink milk?
Drinking Milk in The Afternoon
Ayurveda says that drinking warm milk in the afternoon or after a meal is good for digestion. However, buttermilk is the better option to complement a heavy meal. But if you still want to drink milk then make sure to leave a gap of at least an hour.
Always remember milk should not be consumed during meals as it is very heavy to digest.
Drinking Milk in The Evening
Ayurveda says drinking milk in the evening is very good for the body. As the day nears the end, the activeness of the body also reduces. As such, calcium gets easily absorbed. It also helps in combating physical and mental stress.
Ayurveda says a glass of milk in the evening is very beneficial for every age group.
A warm glass of milk in the evening is good for old people.
You can also add a pinch of turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, or ginger. This helps in reducing the heaviness of the milk and reducing its mucus-causing effect. Pregnant women can drink a glass of milk with saffron. And children can have it with honey after school.
Also Read: Saffron Milk before bedtime
Drinking milk before bedtime
Ayurveda says the best time to drink milk is the time between evening and night.
Drinking milk before bedtime promotes Ojas which helps in achieving proper digestion. During the night, the absorption of calcium is also better because of the low activity levels of the body.
Furthermore, milk has sedative properties. Milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan which is helpful in sound sleep. It relaxes your body and secretes a sleep-inducing hormone which aids in getting quality sleep.
Milk combined with turmeric, cinnamon or Ashwagandha is also a perfect bedtime drink. It helps in relieving stress and repairing the wear and tear of the tissues after a long tiring day.
Wrap your long tiring day with a warm glass of turmeric and cinnamon or Ashwagandha milk. Remember to leave a gap of 30 minutes between your meal and milk.
Pros of drinking milk at night
- Milk keeps you satiated through the long night thus it curbs your late-night cravings.
- It relaxes your muscles and fights stress and tension.
- A warm glass of milk before bedtime aids in better digestion. It can also correct constipation.
- Milk is rich in magnesium, a deficiency of which can cause restless leg syndrome and muscular cramping.
- Drinking milk at night is also beneficial for the skin.
Cons of drinking milk at night
Drinking milk at night can spike insulin levels in the body which is not good for diabetics.
Drinking cold milk at night or combining it with unsuitable food items can cause indigestion, cough, or allergies.
It can aggravate coughing, asthma, diarrhea, colitis, or indigestion, then milk can aggravate it.
Ayurvedic Dos and Don’ts Around Drinking Milk
Ayurveda not only tells us the best time to drink milk, but it also gives a detailed account of how and how not to drink milk. Check out some of the important tips about drinking milk the right way.
1. Milkshakes are a bad idea
According to Ayurveda, blending milk with citrus fruits turns out to be an unhealthy mix. As per Ayurveda, mangoes, bananas, melons, and other sour fruits should never be blended with milk or yogurt.
Bananas blended with milk can diminish the digestive fire. Such items are very difficult to digest. It can also change the intestinal flora and result in the accumulation of toxins. This can result in sinus congestion, cold, cough, allergies, rashes, and hives.
2. Don’t drink milk on an empty stomach.
Many thought this to be an old saying. However there is a scientific explanation of why drinking milk on an empty stomach can be harmful. Milk is very heavy to digest and people suffering from gastric issues could suffer an aggravation.
Always start your day with warm water and follow it up with herbal juices and a nutritious breakfast.
Also Read: Hot Water and Weight Loss
3. Milk and salty foods are a bad combo
In India, people often serve their children Namkeen with a glass of milk. But this does more harm than good. Milk and salt have precisely opposite qualities and they do not go with each other.
That’s why one should never eat or drink an item that combines milk and salt!
4. Avoid milk with allopathic medicines
In Ayurveda, you can take an herbal concoction blended with milk. However the same does not hold for allopathic medicine. Most allopathic medicine harms gut flora and tends to cause gastric irritation. And milk needs time and space to get digested!
5. Milk can help you gain weight
Milk is a highly nutritious food. When taken with honey it can boost weight gain and fight debility. Milk consumed with dry fruits helps in building stamina. But if you are aiming for weight loss then drink it with turmeric.
Also, avoid drinking cold milk right out of the refrigerator. You must bring the milk to boil. Heating the milk changes the molecular structure thus making it much easier to digest.
The best time to drink milk – Follow this for optimum results
Ayurveda says food is made of the same elements as that of the human body.
It believes, every item has prana(life) and it interacts with the body in a special way.
Ayurveda says milk must be consumed warm and in small sips without any sweeteners. The best time to drink milk is the second half of the day from evening till night. Also, one must consume natural milk produced without preservatives.
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