Benefits of Milk and Honey

Milk:

Low Fat or Skimmed milk is one of the best, drinks to consume at night, just before sleeping or early in the morning. Some people prefer to add honey to milk as a replacement for sugar. Adding Honey also adds to the benefits of drinking milk, (6) which is considered as an important part of the human diet (1)

Honey:

Is a natural product which has numerous, medicinal benefits and is used as a remedy to many conditions.
In this article we’ll be discussing some of the benefits of drinking milk with honey.

Uses of Milk and Honey:

A combination of honey with milk not only tastes good but also has great implications on our health. Stated below are the individual benefits of each.

Benefits of Honey:

Consuming Honey has great positive effects on health as it contains numerous active ingredients that play a vital part in maintaining the body system. Some of the active ingredients include Flavanoids, Phenolic Acids, Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopherol (Vitamin B),  enzymes such as Catalase, Superoxide dismutase ,  Reduced Glutathione and some peptides  all of which act as an antioxidant  to reduce the amounts of harmful oxides (such as peroxides) within the human body. In addition to that Honey also contains, water, fructose sugars, glucose, fructose oligosaccharides, certain amino acids and some essential vitamins and minerals.(12) The significance of these include: 

• Combating the digestive system related problems, by fighting against certain bacteria and viruses (Rotaviruses). 
• Honey prevents contagions from attacking and attachment to the epithelial linings of the internal organ 
• PreventsBacterial Gastroenteritis, and the growth of Helicobacter Pylori (H. Pylori) which can cause stomach ulcers and acidity like conditions.(11
• It acts as an antibacterial agent towards, many species of aerobic and anaerobic bacterium.(11)
• Helps in combating viruses, by augmenting the immune system. (11).
• Honey may also be used to improve the diabetic condition in patients suffering from diabetes. It has been found that consuming honey daily, reduces the blood glucose and cholesterol levels and hence also helps in reduction of weight in diabetics (12)
• Since Honey contains fruit sugar (fructose), It has been found that consuming honey does not cause a significant increase in blood sugars as compared to other sugary foods which may contain glucose. (11). 
• Honey has good impacts on athletic people as well. Studies have shown that honey Is a good source of carbohydrates which is an important component in the diet of athletes especially those involved in endurance training and aerobics. (11)
•  It is good for cold, flu and nasal congestion. The phenolic acids present in honey help preventing cardiovascular diseases, boost the immune system, act as pain reliever (11) . 
• Helps in preventing cancer. (11)
• It also improves the functioning of certain enzymes.It also helps to reduce the effects of Malnutrition in children as some studies have shown (11).

Benefits of Milk:

The ideal Guidelines for consuming milk are

• 2     Cups For Children aged: (2-3 years old)
• 2½  Cups For Children aged: (4-8 years old)
• 3     Cups For Children aged: (9-18 years old)

And one should opt for low-fat or skimmed milk. The benefits if consumed in ideal amounts include:

• It is a good source of Calcium (Ca) and hence, helps in building and repairing of bones, which in turn prevents bone injuries, and diseases such as Osteoporosis.
• Is a good source of Vitamin D, which is also known to play an important part in preventing diseases such as hypertension (high blood pressure) (2).
• Helps in maintaining the health of teeth (1)
• Helps in reduction of blood pressure as it contains lots of potassium and peptides (3).
• The Proteins and Vitamins present in milk constitute an important component in body building.(2)
• Drinking warm milk at night helps in sleep, as it relates to memories of childhood (9) and the protein in it such as Lactium (8) and tryptophan (7) are known to assist in sleeping.
• Some studies have shown that drinking warm milk also helps in reduction of pre-menstrual cramps.

References :

1. Haug A., Hostmark A. T., and HArstad O. M. (2007) 1. Bovine Milk in Human Nutrition – A Review Lipids in Health and Disease/ 6/ 25.
2.  WebM/ 6 Reasons to Get Your Dairy/ 2006/ www.webmd.com/diet/6-reasons-to-get-your-diary?page=1.J
3. Jaret P./ WebMD/ The Pros and Cons of Milk and Dairy/ 2011/www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-kitchen-11/dairy-truths?page=1. 
4. Man D./ WebMD/ Milk Drinkers May Lose More Weight/ 2010/www.webmd.com/food-recipes/20100922/milk-drinkers-may-lose-more-weight?page=1. 
5. United States Department of Agriculture/ 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans/ USA/ 2015.r
6. Breus M. J./ WebMD/ 10 Tips to Get Better Sleep/ www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/features/10-tips-to-get-better-sleep. 
7. Breus M./ WebMD/ Warm Milk, True or False?/ 2006/ blogs.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/2008/01/warm-milk-true-or-false.html. 
8. Bowers E. S./ WebMD/ Living With Insomnia: Get a Good Night's Sleep/ 2014/ www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/living-with-insomnia-11/natural-solutions?page=1. 
9. Magee E./ WebMD/ 2005/ www.webmd.com/women/features/ The-Pms-Free-Diet. Eteraf-OskoueiT. and Najafi M. (2013) 
10.  Traditiona and Modern Uses of Natural Honey in Human Diseases: A Review Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences/ 16/ 6/ Pages 731-742. 
11. WebMD/ Honey/ 2009/ www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-738-honey.aspx?activeingredientid=738