What's not to love about milk? It is an excellent source of protein; it's full of calcium and vitamin D, and contains potassium. Whole milk will not only keep you full for longer but will alter your metabolism in such a way that it helps your body burn fat rather than store it. Milk has been touted to be the magic potion for health and well-being since time immemorial. But does that mean you can drink milk any time of the day and reap its benefits? We give you a low down.

Should You Drink Milk Before Going To Bed?

According to Ayurveda, consuming a glass of warm milk at night can aid in a good night's sleep. The amino acid tryptophan in milk helps promote sound sleep. Just by adding some ginger, cardamom and turmeric to warm milk, you can reap even more sleep-inducing benefits. If you have erratic eating habits, a glass of warm milk can also help beat constipation.

However, if you do not have sleep problems or digestive troubles, you might want to avoid drinking milk at night. The lactose in milk can prevent your body from powering down and also interfere with the functioning of the liver. Is Milk Safe for Diabetes? Find Out if Dairy Raises Blood Sugar Levels in Diabetics. 

Is It Okay To Drink Milk On An Empty Stomach?

Most of us like to start our day with a glass of milk, and it is okay unless you suffer from gastric issues, poor digestion or are lactose intolerant. Also, skip milk on an empty stomach if you are prone to cough and cold. You should also be extra cautious if you are prone to food allergies. However, cold milk can help relieve acidity if you suffer from hyper acidic bouts. 6 Healthy and Delicious Ingredients You Can Add to Your Milk and #EnjoyDairy. 

Is Drinking Milk In The Morning A Good Idea?

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, drinking milk in the morning can increase satiety and lead to a decreased calorie intake in the next meal. Plus, milk contains nine essential vitamins and minerals and getting these nutrients first thing in the morning means that you will have a jump-start on your nutrition requirements for the day. Adding a cup of milk to your cereals can be the simplest way to include dairy in your breakfast. Can You Have Milk on a Keto Diet? The Truth About Dairy, Ketosis and Ketogenic Diet. 

On the contrary, Ayurvedic experts believe that milk can be pretty heavy to digest and consuming it first thing in the morning can make you very lethargic. So what really is the best time to drink milk? The best thing to do is to listen to your body and follow its cues. You will instantly know if drinking milk on revs up your body or leaves you feeling squeamish whether you are drinking it in the morning or at night.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 26, 2019 01:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).