Milk is produced by all female mammals. This drink has enough nutrients in it to encourage and sustain the healthy growth of the mothers’ babies. Humans have been taking the milk of pregnant cows for 7000 years and since then, milk consumption has steadily grown to the point where dairy has become a multimillion dollar industry. And while there are many benefits of dairy products, this article will focus on the benefits of cold milk.
Benefits of Drinking Cold Milk
1. Hydration for Your Body
Most people are unaware that cold milk has a high amount of electrolytes in it. And all it takes is to drink 2 glasses of cold milk during the day to keep your body hydrated. Avoid consuming milk when you’re sick, and also avoid drinking it before going to sleep, as that may lead to digestion problems.
2. Weight Loss
One of the best benefits of cold milk is its ability to help you lose weight. Now, don’t get me wrong. Only drinking milk is not going to help you – you need to work-out and eat a healthy and balanced meal as well. However, drinking milk gives your body important nutrients like vitamin D, calcium and iron, without adding extra fat or calories to your body. Plus, drinking cold milk makes your body work harder to break down the milk into smaller particles, thus require more energy (aka calories) to be used in the process.
3. Post Workout Drink
After an intense workout, you’re tired because your body has expended a decent amount of energy by burning calories. And in such a state, it’s essential to consume something that can easily nourish your body, repair your muscle damage and give you instant energy – all at the cost of unnecessary calorie intake. So if you’re the kind of person who doesn’t consume commercial protein powder after working out, then cold milk is a great option.
4. Gets Rid of Skin Tan
Rich in antioxidants and vitamin A, the surprising benefits of cold milk include getting rid of unnecessary tanning. All you have to do is add a mashed up half banana to two cups of cold milk. Mix well, apply on your face and wash it off with cold water after 20 minutes. Not only will this face pack help with your tan, but also reduce freckles, pigmentation and dark spots, while giving you glowing skin. Apply this paste 3 times a week for best results.
5. Heals Sunburns
The protein and anti-inflammatory properties present in milk helps reduce discomfort that you feel from sunburn. The lesser the temperature of the milk, the sooner your healing process will be. Simply add 2 tbsp. of oatmeal to a cup of cold milk. Mix well, apply on your face and wash it off with cold water after 20 minutes. Apply this paste 5 times a day for best results.
6. Strengthen Your Child’s Bones
Milk is high in calcium, which not only strengthens your bones, but also helps in preventing osteoporosis, the weakening of bones. However, it’s no secret that children hate drinking milk. So how about spicing things up for them by simply adding a few ingredients to their glass of milk? Add fruits like mangoes or Chikoo to milk to make a milk shake. Add sugar (or stevia), milk, cocoa powder or any similar ingredient which you feel will enhance the flavor of the smoothie, and give it to your child!
7. Helps in Digestion
Better digestions are one of the best benefits of cold milk. Not only does cold milk help wash down the oil and fat that you’ve consumed from fatty foods, but its carminative properties help improve your body’s digestive processes as well. For added benefits, add a pinch of turmeric powder or half a tsp. of ginger juice to the milk to aid your digestion.
8. Helps Control Acidity
Obviously, drinking milk is not an instant cure. However, drinking it over an extended period of time may relieve you permanently of acidity. How? By making the lactic acid in it work inside your body – it helps normalize the acidity in your stomach. Additionally, the calcium present in milk absorbs the excessive acid produced by your stomach, thus relieving you of any symptoms.
You can have a glass of cold milk as it is, or add isabgol (1-2 spoons) to it and consume the mixture right after you have your lunch and dinner.
9. Heals Cracked Heels
The lactic acid not only helps control your acidity, but also adds enough nutrients to your feet to help heal cracked heels! It also helps soften your heels so that you can easily scrub off (with a pumice stone) the dead skin present there, as well as encouraging the growth of newer skin cells.
All you have to do is create a mixture of 1 cup cold milk, 3-4 tbsp. of brown sugar and 4-5 tbsp. olive or coconut oil. Mix will and scrub the mixture on your feet. Let it remain for 15-20 minutes, and simply wipe off with a damp towel. Apply this daily to your feet before going off to sleep, and make sure you’re applying a foot cream to your feet after you’ve removed the mixture.
Warning
Despite all the benefits of cold milk listed above, please understand that milk consumption isn’t for everybody. A majority of the population of the earth is lactose intolerant. In fact, you’d be surprised to know that milk is ranked in the list of the top 10 allergenic foods. So if you’ve found that you need to use the bathroom frequently or feel gassy immediately after consuming dairy products, then you’re definitely lactose intolerant. You can check the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse website for further details, or schedule an appointment with your doctor to understand better whether or not your body can accept consumption of dairy products.