Surprising Benefits of Milk With Honey

Milk and honey are both a source of many essential nutrients for the body. When combined together, they have numerous health benefits, from improving the health of your skin and hair to helping in digestion, sleep disorders, stamina and bone health. Continue reading for all you need to know about the advantages of milk with honey.

Also Read: Benefits of Drinking Honey and Lemon Water

Amazing Health Benefits of Milk and Honey

Here are 11 reasons why you should drink honey and milk.

1. Helps in Digestion

Honey being prebiotic promotes the growth of useful or ‘good’ bacteria in the digestive system. When milk is consumed every day with a few drops of honey, it helps restore the healthy bacterial flora needed for a good digestive system. Therefore, regular consumption helps maintain the gastrointestinal tract healthy by eliminating bloating, constipation and cramps.

2. Stamina Booster

Among the known cold milk and honey benefits is its ability to improve stamina. When a glass of the drink is consumed in the morning you receive carbohydrates, proteins and other essential nutrients needed for a fresh start for the day. Honey is also known to improve the metabolic rate and hence speeding up the bodily process to give you all the energy you need to operate throughout the day.

3. Eases Insomnia

The consumption of milk and honey has long been used as a remedy for insomnia and difficulty in sleeping. Although they are both good at promoting sleep, taken together their effect is compounded. Consuming honey makes the brain release insulin along with the release of a compound called tryptophan. Tryptophan is eventually converted to serotonin, a neurotransmitter which increases the feelings of wellness. Serotonin is eventually converted into melatonin which is responsible for helping us sleep.

4. Promotes Bone Health

Milk is rich in calcium necessary for the bones. However, the intake of calcium by itself isn’t enough to help it assimilate into the bones. Honey and its enzymes have been found to be effective in transporting nutrients in the body. It improves the uptake of calcium by the body which makes drinking milk so much more effective. Healthy levels of calcium are good for the bones and teeth. It is especially useful for people as they age and their bones start losing density and strength.

5. Antibacterial Properties

Both milk and honey are known to have antibacterial properties on organisms such as staphylococcus. However, when taken together, their effect is stronger. Drinking warm milk mixed with honey is known to cure constipation, flatulence and intestinal disorders. They are also effective against infections of the upper respiratory tract and ease colds and cough.

6. Heals Respiratory Ailments

Drinking honey with warm milk is effective in killing and flushing out bacteria in the throat to ease respiratory tract infections. It has been used in traditional medicine to treat colds and ease cough. Therefore, honey and milk are good at preventing and treating respiratory tract infections.

7. Stress Buster

Drinking milk and honey has a soothing effect on the body as it releases serotonin in the brain which helps in relaxation. It is also known to lower cortisol levels in the body which is a stress hormone. Subsequently, it reduces the damage of the hormone on the internal organs. Honey’s natural enzymes also act as a mood lifter. Therefore the next time you’re feeling stressed, have a glass of milk.

8. Fights Stomach Infections

The drink’s antibacterial and antioxidant properties destroy harmful bacteria in the stomach to fight off infections. It restores the gut bacterial flora to normal levels and speeds up recovery.

9. Improves Concentration

The refreshing effect of a drink of cold milk and honey helps improve focus and concentration in all activities. The serotonin release helps you focus while the simple sugars in honey provide all the necessary calories for mental or physical activity.

10. Aids in Athletic Performance

Being an ergogenic acid, honey increases stamina by releasing energy slowly over a long period of time to boost athletic performance. Drinking honey and milk before and after a workout as it provides the necessary protein and carbohydrates to maintain optimal sugar levels and glycogen restoration subsequently.

11. Eases Constipation

Drinking milk and honey while experiencing constipation can help ease the symptoms naturally. One of the hot milk with honey benefits is that warm milk helps in bowel movement which helps with easing excretory movement. Honey is also loaded with enzymes that stabilise the gut to improve movement. Together they kill bacteria such as staphylococcus which can cause intestinal disorders.

Benefits of Milk with Honey for Skin & Hair

While being good for health in general, there are special benefits of honey and milk on face and hair.

1. Gives Healthy, Glowing Skin

Honey and milk in combination have several vital nutrients that are necessary to make the skin smooth and glowing. The proteins, amino acids, vitamins and minerals present to promote the growth of healthy tissue from the inside. Face packs made out of the mixture are very effective in moisturising the skin and cleansing it naturally. Milk and honey scrub made with oatmeal is excellent for skin exfoliation and rejuvenation.

2. Anti-ageing Properties

Using honey and milk on the skin regularly slows down the ageing process and reduces wrinkles on the skin. Face packs such as milk and honey works wonderfully from the outside to keep the skin healthy. Their antioxidant properties stop the free radical attack on the skin which usually causes wrinkles, blotches and degradation in general.

3. Moisturises the Skin

Moisturising is vital to maintain the softness of the skin. Without proper moisturisation, the skin becomes wrinkly and susceptible to pollutants from the outside. In the long run, it protects the skin from infections, acne, and pollution damage to keep it healthy.

4. Repairs Damaged Hair

A hair pack made out of honey and milk restores the vitality of damaged and wrinkly hair to make it smooth and shiny. The pack’s moisturising effect strengthens the hair fibres to give it a smooth texture while keeping it strong. The effect is similar to applying a conditioner, but all natural without the chemicals.

How to Make a Hair Pack Using Honey and Milk?

For smooth and shiny hair, try this hair pack:

Ingredients

• Full-fat milk, 1 cup
• 2 tablespoons of Honey

Method

• Mix the milk with honey in a cup thoroughly to make a thick paste.
• Apply the mixture to your hair gently and allow it to stay for 30 minutes.
• Rinse it with warm water and a mild shampoo.

How to Prepare a Honey & Milk Face Wash?

For healthy glowing skin, use this milk and honey face wash.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of milk
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon rose water

Method

• Add the ingredients into a bowl and mix until it forms a thick paste.
• Apply the mixture all over the face, excluding the eyes.
• Allow it to stay for 2 or 3 minutes and rinse with lukewarm water.
• Apply a light moisturiser while the face is still damp.

Honey Milk Recipe

To make a healthy and tasty drink with honey and milk, follow these instructions:

Ingredients

• Pasteurised milk
• Honey

Method

• Heat one cup of milk in a saucepan until it is warm but not boiling.
• Pour it into your cup and allow it to cool until your preferred temperature.
• Stir one teaspoon of honey into the milk.
• Add a little more if more taste is needed.

Are There Any Side Effects of Drinking Milk With Honey?

Just like every other remedy milk and honey also have their own side effects, here are some of them:

• Honey is rich in simple sugars such as fructose, glucose and sucrose along with many other types of carbohydrates. It basically is loaded with calories, therefore, can lead to weight gain. It is not recommended if you’re on a weight loss diet.

• Some types of honey can also contain infectious microbes that can affect young children and those with a weak immune system.

• People who have bleeding disorders should steer clear of honey. As honey can lead to elevated risks of bleeding, it’s best not to drink it with milk.

• Regular consumption of milk and honey leads to the body absorbing the fats present in the drink. The fat content in both milk and honey contribute to it.

• Milk and honey drink isn’t suitable for people with lactose intolerance. Yoghurt is a good substitute for milk as it contains very little to no lactose.

• Excess consumption of honey can lead to nerve damage due to the presence of ‘grayanotoxins; a type of nervous system poison.

• Some people are allergic to the compounds present in either honey or milk or both. This can cause anywhere from mild to serious allergic reactions.

Warnings & Considerations

It’s important to not give honey to children under the age of two years due to the risk of infant botulism. Although it is a rare condition, it can be deadly to babies and the risk is not worth it. To get the best benefits out of milk and honey, it’s important to consider how much of honey it is that you’re adding to the drink. Too much of anything can have side effects, therefore stick to small amounts where you can get most of the benefits and least of the side effects.

FAQs

Is It Safe to Use Honey in Warm Milk?

Yes, it is safe to add honey to warm milk for consumption. However, honey should never be exposed to temperatures exceeding 140 degrees Celsius. In one Ayurvedic study, it was shown that heating honey produced a toxic compound called hydroxymethyl furfuraldehyde (HMF). Therefore avoid adding honey to boiling milk. It’s safe to add honey into the milk when it cools down to consumption temperature.

Milk and honey are a great source of nutrition for the body with numerous health benefits. While it’s healthy to consume the drink every day, moderation in the amount of honey added to the mix is the key to the full benefits.

Also Read:

Benefits of Drinking Honey and Lemon Water
Is It Good to Have Milk and Egg Together?
Cold Milk vs Hot Milk – Which is Better?