Many people start the day with a glass of milk. There is a long-held belief that drinking milk before breakfast supplies the body with nutrition, because milk contains protein, calcium, vitamin D and other important nutrients that play a key role in the health of bones, teeth and muscles. But drinking milk on an empty stomach is not equally good for everyone. It has benefits for some people, and in some cases it can cause side-effects.

According to experts' recommendations, an adult aged 19 to 50 needs about 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. For women aged 51 or over and men aged 71 or over, the requirement rises to 1,200 milligrams a day.

A glass of milk on an empty stomach in the morning can give the body quick energy. Its high-quality protein helps build and repair the body's cells and tissues. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, and calcium plays an important role in keeping bones and teeth strong. These nutrients help maintain overall health and support normal muscle function.

About 90 per cent of milk is water, so it can help to some extent in making up the fluid shortfall after a long sleep. Enough water is important for regulating body temperature, keeping metabolism going and maintaining energy through the day, so drinking milk at the start of the day may help the body feel refreshed.

For some people, milk has a soothing effect on the stomach lining and aids digestion. So those who have no intolerance to milk or digestive problems may benefit from drinking it on an empty stomach in the morning.

For people with lactose intolerance, milk on an empty stomach can cause discomfort, such as diarrhoea, gas, bloating or stomach upset. This happens when the body lacks lactase, the enzyme that helps break down lactose in milk. Research shows that after childhood about 65 per cent of the world's people lose some of their ability to digest lactose. The tendency is highest among East Asian populations, where 70 to 100 per cent of people have the problem to some degree.

Milk naturally contains a sugar called lactose. Drinking it on an empty stomach can make blood sugar rise quickly in some people. People with diabetes or insulin sensitivity problems in particular should be careful, because disrupted blood sugar balance can create various long-term health risks.

Drinking too much milk can raise calcium levels enough to partly hinder the body's absorption of iron and zinc. Yet these two minerals are essential for a strong immune system, carrying oxygen in the blood and many other important body functions. So milk should always be drunk in moderation.

Milk on an empty stomach can be good for many people but uncomfortable for others. It is best to form the habit with your own physical condition, digestion and health problems in mind. Especially if you have lactose intolerance or diabetes, it is safer to drink milk on the advice of a doctor or nutritionist.

The information is drawn from the Mayo Clinic and the National Institutes of Health.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.