Because lactose is a sugar, large amounts of it before bed has other implications. If you are glucose intolerant, a warm glass of milk before bed could lead to a blood sugar crash. Basically, your body startling awake in the middle of the night, to an energy-deprived brain, sending the “Eat!” signal.
Drinking milk at night increases the chances of weight gain as metabolizing and digesting the protein and milk fats take time. A glass of milk has around 120 calories, this is one of the reasons why you must avoid drinking milk at night as the calories don't get burnt easily and this leads to weight gain.
Tryptophan and melatonin
Your two best friends for a restful night. Milk (and other dairy products) are a really good source of tryptophan. It's an amino acid that can help promote sleep, so it can come in particularly handy especially if you're used to tossing and turning before finally getting off to sleep.
Lactose intolerance
Many individuals lack the proper digestive enzymes—known as lactase—that would help them process cow's milk, making them lactose intolerant. Many studies have found links between milk consumption and increased risks of ovarian cancer.
Milk and other dairy products are the top source of saturated fat in the American diet, contributing to heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. Studies have also linked dairy to an increased risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers.
Milk is an important source of fats, protein, calcium, and vitamins A and D, and children of any age as well as adults can continue to drink it for the rest of their lives if they wish.
Drinking milk 2 hrs before sleep to supplement amino acid trytophan – nutrients that are available in protein-rich food like milk. These 2 nutrients would trigger brain to produce sleepiness-boosting hormones serotonin and melatonin that help you to relax and sleep better.
Almond Milk
According to studies, the presence of serotonin in the brain can help to initiate sleep. Healthy serotonin levels in our central nervous system often depend on the presence of tryptophan, which is naturally found in both cow's milk and almond milk.
Although there is little scientific evidence for many home insomnia remedies, some studies suggest that having warm cow's milk at bedtime might help you fall asleep faster, stay asleep, and get better quality rest overall. Researchers have been interested in the sleep-inducing properties of milk since the 1970s.
Lactose present in milk gets converted into sugar in the body and increases the blood sugar level. This may result in a concerning spike in blood sugar levels at night during sleep.
Dairy products made from cow's milk are one of the most common triggers of acid reflux, both among people who suffer from GERD and people who don't. The link between dairy and GERD has been well-established, and although it doesn't directly cause acid reflux, it may worsen some of your symptoms.
The fat in milk can aggravate acid reflux. But nonfat milk can act as a temporary buffer between the stomach lining and acidic stomach contents and provide immediate relief of heartburn symptoms."
Milk can cause many digestive problems like gas, bloating, diarrhoea, or constipation. These problems are caused largely due to milk undergoing heavy processing, which leads to an imbalance between good and bad gut bacteria, or due to lactose intolerance.
Besides the homey warmth of this true comfort food, milk has loads of B vitamins that reduce anxiety and improve mood. For instance, vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) raises serotonin levels to perk you up.
Foods include: whole-grain bread, pasta, crackers and brown rice. Foods include: peanut butter and nuts such as walnuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios. Foods include: spinach, nuts, seeds, avocados and black beans. Beverages include: warm milk and herbal teas such as chamomile or peppermint.
Whether you're 7 or 77, drinking milk at any age is important for good health. Milk is a good source of vitamin D and calcium, which older adults tend to need more of, to maintain bone strength, preserve muscle strength, and prevent osteoporosis.
Even though many nutrients are found in milk, some seniors may not want to drink it because it makes them feel sick and bloated. Like any other food item, it's important for seniors who want to drink milk to take a balanced approach. Seniors should avoid excessive consumption and limit it to a glass or two a day.
Like milk from animals, they should be considered optional for most adults, according to Willett and Ludwig. The researchers recommend choosing instead other sources of calcium, such as leafy greens, tofu, and fortified orange juice.
The recommendation for milk, cheese, yoghurt and/or alternatives for women is: 2.5 serves/day for women 19-50 years of age; and, 4 serves/day for women 50 years of age and over.
Drinking too much milk can cause digestive issues such as bloating, cramps, and diarrhea. If your body is not able to break down lactose properly, it travels through the digestive system and is broken down by gut bacteria. Because of this reason, gassiness and other digestive issues can happen.
Moderate intake of milk does not spike the cholesterol level or lead to weight gain. The finding clearly indicates that there is no need to cut down on dairy intake for the sake of heart health as it has minimal impact on it.