Milk and Salt: Compatible or Incompatible

Two of the most important things that a human body requires are Milk and Salt. The nutritious values of both ensure that they affect our body in the most appropriate way.

Let’s look at some of the nutritional values of both.

Nutritional Value of Milk

All dairy milk like organic milk, flavored or fat-free, contains nine essential nutrients. It is the biggest source of Calcium, Potassium and Vitamin D. Also, it is the most important ingredient that takes care of your daily well being. Top nutrients also include Vitamin B12 and A, Phosphorous, and Protein. Another necessary thing to know is that protein is very important for everyday intake. It is always preferred in breakfast ensuring that you do not feel hungry at least till mid-morning. But most of the protein-rich foods contain a certain percentage of the nutrient while Milk is a ‘complete’ protein-rich product.

Hence, in every sense, milk is the ultimate dietary food rich in nutrients.

Nutritional Value of Salt

A necessary ingredient in every Indian food item, salt is a composition of sodium and chlorine both of which have their own roles to play in a human body. It’s the effect of sodium that is the most with the consumption of salt. Salt is not only a standalone product added to your food for the purpose of enhancing the taste. It is also a product present in several other food items that a common man usually fails to recognize. Some of these items are ketchup, mayonnaise, sauces, processed foods, packaged products, canned soups, cheese, frozen foods, instant bread, cottage cheese, cereals etc. Since a lot of our ingredients in our dishes contain salt, external addition of salt is only our necessity to have a refined flavor. A small amount of sodium is necessary for our body as it helps maintain the balance of fluids in the body including water retention. Along with this, it aids muscle contraction and relaxation. Though at the same time, too much or too little salt can be harmful to the body.

Hence, a balance of salt intake in moderate quantity can be extremely beneficial for the human body.

Combination of Milk and Salt

Milk and Salt both consumed standalone is good for the healthy body and benefit the entire digestive system. But, if both are so important individually, can they be as beneficial together?

Usually, combining two different kinds of food items can be dangerous for the body. The energies of two different items can lead to a dangerous spike of internal energy (Agni) in our body. It may even eradicate the energy present, where both situations are highly dangerous.

According to Ayurveda, the combination of milk and salt is extremely incompatible and a definite NO.

A very common thing to see nowadays is how people consume milk alongside breakfast. Some have developed it as a habit and have been carrying out this eating ritual for years. They may have definitely felt the ill effects in their stomach but may not have realized the reason at the time. With time though, their body may have adapted to the combination. This does not mean that milk and salt combination would not be harmful to their body. It would simply mean that they are being affected internally in a small amount and it may one day turn into a disease.

Scientific clarification of Salt and Milk Incompatibility

There is a specific protein-calcium compound found in milk called calcium-caseinate. This chemical bond breaks when milk interacts with the acid in the stomach. This effect is popular as curdling of milk.

If salt mixes with milk, then the composition of sodium would interfere with the curdling effect. It will thus create a reaction with calcium ions.

This is the reaction that is responsible for the harmful effects of the milk and salt combination. Even if any salty preparation combines with milk, then also the same effect happens. If any other form of milk combines with salt or any salty preparation, then the effect is not seen. This happens because the curdling of milk had already occurred during the process of converting milk to say, yogurt. Since the curdling effect has already completed, the product is not harmful in combination with salt.

Hence, keeping in mind all the above, it is advisable to stop any or all consumption of food containing salt with Milk. An appropriate amount of gap in consumption time between milk and any other food item containing salt is advisable to be at least 35-50 minutes. After all, your health comes first!

Article Credits: Mitalee Mithal | New Delhi | India

Editor: LivePeppy

Click Here to Follow the Writer on Instagram

Click Here to Follow the Writer on LinkedIn

Be Happy, Be Peppy. LivePeppy! 🙂