To stay healthy and fit, many people rely on supplements, protein drinks or expensive health drinks. Yet our kitchens hold natural ingredients that can be very good for the body if taken properly. One popular combination is warm milk and honey.

Ayurveda has long regarded this mixture as good for health. Modern nutrition science also says that the high-quality protein, calcium and vitamins in milk, combined with the antioxidant and antimicrobial compounds in honey, can make a nutritious drink. But it is not a medicine for any disease; rather, it is part of a healthy diet.

Many people find it hard to fall asleep or wake often during the night. Tryptophan, an amino acid in lukewarm milk, can play a role in the body's production of serotonin and melatonin, which help maintain the normal sleep cycle. The natural sugars in honey may support this process. So drinking lukewarm milk with a little honey shortly before bed may help many people sleep comfortably.

Pure honey contains various antioxidants and natural antimicrobial compounds. Milk contains protein, vitamin B12, vitamin D (if fortified) and various minerals. Together they can help meet the body's nutritional needs, which helps keep the immune system functioning normally.

Honey has prebiotic properties that may support the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Warm milk soothes the digestive system for many people.

People who sometimes have constipation or discomfort can include this drink in their diet on a doctor's advice. But for those with lactose intolerance, milk can cause problems instead.

Milk is one of the best sources of calcium, which the bones and teeth need regularly. Along with enough calcium, vitamin D, exercise and a balanced diet are also important. Strong scientific evidence that honey dramatically increases calcium absorption is still limited, but it can be used in moderation as a healthy natural sweetener.

Eating antioxidant-rich foods regularly may help protect skin cells somewhat from oxidative stress. Because the nutrients in milk and honey support overall health, positive effects may also show in the skin and hair. But claims that this drink alone will make skin glow or stop hair loss completely are not scientifically proven; enough sleep, a balanced diet and enough water are also essential.

Boil a glass of milk well. When it has cooled to lukewarm, stir in a teaspoon of pure honey and drink. Never add honey to boiling or very hot milk, as excessive heat can destroy some of honey's beneficial enzymes and antioxidants.

• Never give honey to a child under one year old, because of the risk of infant botulism.
• People with diabetes should not start taking honey regularly without the advice of a doctor or nutritionist.
• Anyone with a milk allergy or lactose intolerance should ask an expert about alternatives.

Warm milk and honey can be added to the daily diet as a nutritious drink that may help with sleep, nutrition and overall wellbeing. But it is not a treatment for any disease, nor a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.

Taken in moderation alongside a balanced diet, regular exercise, enough sleep and healthy habits, the drink is more likely to deliver its benefits. The article was based on a report in the Hindustan Times.

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