Milk stands as a delightful beverage, enjoyed in its pure form or incorporated into a diverse range of dishes, sweets, and beverages. In Indian culinary traditions, it plays a pivotal role, enhancing the flavours of coffee, tea, and popular desserts like ras malai, kalakand, milk cake, gajar halwa, and more. Its versatility is deeply ingrained in various cultural practices.
One such traditional concoction is "haldi doodh," or golden milk, a simple yet therapeutic drink crafted by adding a pinch of turmeric to a glass of milk. This ancient beverage has been cherished for centuries due to its therapeutic properties and straightforward preparation.
However, with milk being a staple in countless households for generations, certain misconceptions and myths have inevitably emerged over the years. These myths about milk are based on different experiences and may not be true for everyone. In this article, we will explain why these common beliefs about milk may not be accurate.
Consuming Milk Leads To Weight Gain
A common misunderstanding about drinking milk is that it causes weight gain. While excessive consumption might lead to weight gain, moderate intake is generally not a concern. A standard glass of milk (250 ml) contains around 120 calories, as reported by Be Body Wise, which isn't excessively high. If consumed moderately, such as one glass per day, you can still benefit from essential nutrients like protein, fats, potassium, and carbohydrates.
Milk Contains Harmful Chemicals
Nowadays, most milk is either fortified with essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, or even protein. However, the process of fortification doesn't harm its original nutritional profile or make the milk harmful. In fact, it is a healthy process that makes your milk well-rounded with the inclusion of additional nutrients. There are times when farmers use antibodies, hormone growth injections, and supplements on cows to increase their milk production, but they are used in a safe amount that is not necessarily harmful to the human body.
Milk Causes Bloating
This is a popular misconception, similar to the weight gain myth. This could only be true in the case of people who are lactose intolerant, as consuming dairy with that condition could lead to several side effects such as stomach aches, gas, and bloating. Otherwise, you can consume milk with turmeric and cinnamon or tea brewed with herbs like tulsi and ginger to enhance digestibility.
Milk's Nutritional Profile Suffers When Boiled
You must boil your milk if it's raw and bought from local dairy farms in order to eliminate the harmful bacteria and germs. But even boiling pasteurised milk won't alter its nutritional value, and you can consume it without any worry. You can boil it as much as you want without being concerned about losing the nutrients.
Milk Causes Acne
This myth has been going around for some time now, but there is no conclusive research or study that shows that milk or dairy in general causes acne. The idea behind milk causing acne is that dairy foods have the tendency to congest your milk, which leads to oil buildup in the skin, which causes acne and pimples.
Many people hold onto a common misconception that leads them to cut dairy entirely from their diet. However, maintaining a healthy diet that includes a well-rounded mix of nutrients, incorporating dairy along with fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, ensures that your skin receives the essential nutrients for a radiant and glowing appearance.