Milk is one of the most popular beverages, loved by people of all ages. Not only is it tasty, but it is also rich in nutrients, making it suitable for everyone. Especially in the winter, drinking a warm cup of milk is a unique pleasure. But can milk be heated? Does heating milk cause loss of nutrients?
Can milk be heated?
Milk can be heated, but it is not recommended to heat it at high temperatures.
Milk is a highly nutritious and valuable food, often referred to as "white blood". Dairy products contain high-quality protein with the appropriate ratio of essential amino acids for human utilization. Milk also contains essential vitamins such as vitamin A, B1, B2, and is the primary and best source of dietary calcium. Heating milk above 100 degrees Celsius can cause denaturation and loss of many nutrients.
What happens when milk is heated at high temperatures?
Protein denaturation
Milk contains abundant high-quality protein. When milk is heated to 100 degrees Celsius or higher, the proteins in milk will denature and precipitate, resulting in a loss of nutrients.
Oxidation of vitamins
When the temperature rises to a certain point, the oxidation of vitamins in milk intensifies. Large amounts of vitamins such as vitamin C and vitamin B oxidize.
Loss of amino acids
When milk is boiled, a large number of amino acids in milk react with fructose to form fructosyl amino acids, which are not absorbed by the human body and can affect human health.
Loss of phosphoric acid
When the heating temperature of milk exceeds 60 degrees Celsius, the phosphoric acid in milk changes from acidic to neutral, causing the milk to precipitate and become unusable by the human body.
Low-temperature heating of milk does not cause nutrient loss
Milk products on the market have undergone factory sterilization or pasteurization and have been tested and qualified before being released. Therefore, milk products purchased can be consumed directly. However, if consumers want to drink warm milk, it can be heated appropriately.
How to heat milk properly
Heating by soaking in hot water
Place the packaged milk directly into warm water no higher than 50 degrees Celsius and soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
Direct stovetop heating
Pour the milk into a pot and heat it on low heat while stirring continuously. Heat until there is steam rising from the surface, without boiling it.
Microwave heating
Pour the milk into a microwave-safe cup or open the milk carton and place it directly in the microwave. Heat for 1 to 2 minutes.
