The nutritional value of milk is well known, and many people have the habit of drinking milk. Some people drink milk for breakfast, while others drink it before bed, believing that it helps with sleep. However, some people worry that drinking milk before bed will make them gain weight. There are many types of milk, such as skimmed and full-fat, which have different effects on body shape. Let's take a detailed look below.
Will drinking milk before bed make you gain weight?
The main component of milk is protein, which is not quickly digested and absorbed. Therefore, drinking milk before bed will not burden the energy consumption during the night, so it does not cause obesity. It is important to note that vitamins A and D and the anticancer substance conjugated linoleic acid in milk are all present in the fat. The aromatic components are also present in the milk fat. The fat in skimmed milk affects its nutritional value, taste, and satiety. Therefore, unless there is a need to control blood lipids, it is not necessary to choose low-fat or skimmed milk.
Drinking milk before bed does not affect weight loss
1. Drinking milk before bed does not burden the body with extra calories, and it helps replenish the necessary nutrients, especially promoting calcium absorption.
2. The calorie content of 100g of low-fat milk is 50-80 calories, which is not considered high-calorie. It is rich in nutrients and helps the body supplement high-quality protein, calcium, and other important trace elements. The fat content in milk is only 3%. Low-fat milk or semi-skimmed milk contains only 1%~1.5% fat, and skimmed milk contains 0.5% fat. Therefore, milk is actually a good drink for weight loss.
Drinking milk before bed helps with sleep
Milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which has a sedative effect similar to amino acids. It also contains a "natural sleep factor" called α-lactalbumin, which has the ability to regulate the brain and improve sleep. Therefore, drinking a small cup of milk in the evening or half an hour before bed has a calming effect and can promote sleep.
Things to pay attention to when heating milk
Do not heat milk in the microwave for too long
If using a microwave to heat milk, it is best not to exceed one minute, because if the heating time is too long, the vitamin C in the milk is easily destroyed, and the protein may denature. It may also produce caramel and gelatin, which are harmful to health and may even cause cancer.
The milk skin after heating has no nutritional value
If the milk is overheated, due to the evaporation of surface air, the protein on the surface of the milk will solidify and form a "milk skin". The nutritional components in the milk will also be lost unknowingly, so it is best not to eat this milk skin as it has no nutritional value.
Use high heat when heating milk on a gas stove
If using a gas stove to heat milk, it is best to use high heat to cook it quickly. This can better lock in the nutrients in the milk and prevent them from being lost. If it is cooked slowly over low heat, it will only destroy the vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients in the milk.
Do not drink milk on an empty stomach
It is best to eat something before drinking milk to fill your stomach. Drinking milk on an empty stomach will not allow the milk to be fully digested by enzymes. The protein in the milk will quickly be converted into energy and consumed. The nutrients in the milk cannot be well digested and absorbed, and it may also cause abdominal pain, diarrhea, and other symptoms.
