Many of us often drink a glass of milk on an empty stomach in the morning, thinking that it serves as a breakfast. However, this is actually a misconception. Milk (or soy milk) is a protein-rich beverage. It can only be stored as protein reserves in the body when consumed on the basis of sufficient sugar intake (starchy foods), so that the protein doesn't get used up as calories but can truly play a role in building and repairing tissues. If milk (or soy milk) is consumed on an empty stomach, it can only be used as calories and is not very cost-effective.
1. Drinking milk on an empty stomach is unhygienic
Drinking a large amount of milk on an empty stomach dilutes the gastric juice, which is not conducive to food digestion and absorption. Additionally, the intestines move quickly on an empty stomach, so milk passes through the stomach and intestines quickly, staying for a short time. Its nutrients are often not fully absorbed and quickly enter the large intestine, serving no purpose. Therefore, drinking milk on an empty stomach is not in line with nutritional hygiene.
2. Production of harmful substances
If milk is consumed on an empty stomach, not only does it quickly pass through the stomach, but high-quality protein is also broken down by the body and used as calories, which doesn't fully utilize the protein. Some amino acids are not absorbed in the small intestine and are excreted into the large intestine, where these proteins and amino acids are decomposed and decayed into harmful substances for the body, increasing the body's burden.
3. Causing nutrient loss
The reason why milk should not be consumed on an empty stomach for breakfast is that after a night of sleep and rest, our stomachs are already empty and fully prepared for digestion. At this time, the stomach empties quickly, and milk, as a liquid dairy product, is not fully digested and absorbed before being excreted into the intestine, resulting in a significant loss and waste of nutrients.
4. Impairing gastrointestinal absorption
Many people have milk with eggs for breakfast, and they drink milk directly after washing their faces. Drinking milk on an empty stomach does not allow the stomach enough time to digest it, and the nutrients in milk are not absorbed by the stomach. It may even cause gastrointestinal bloating. Excessive gastric acid causes protein denaturation and precipitation, making nutrients difficult to be absorbed by the stomach and intestines, leading to indigestion and diarrhea. Therefore, it is best to drink milk after all other food items in a meal, as this facilitates absorption and improves tolerance.
Editor's suggestion
(1) It is best to drink milk after consuming some starchy foods. Additionally, when drinking milk, it is advisable to eat some biscuits or bread to allow the milk (or soy milk) to stay in the stomach for a longer period of time and interact with gastric juice to ensure complete absorption of nutrients, providing maximum benefits to the body.
(2) If there is bloating or diarrhea after drinking milk, it indicates that drinking too much milk on an empty stomach is not suitable. It is better to eat some starchy foods before consuming milk, or switch to drinking yogurt. In addition, milk should not be the only beverage consumed in the morning. It is better to drink a large glass of water (in the heating season, it is recommended to drink honey water) after waking up, and then drink milk, as milk is not as effective as water in quickly replenishing moisture.
