Is It Beneficial to Mix Honey and Milk?

Honey and milk is a classic combination often featured in drinks and desserts alike.

In addition to being incredibly calming and comforting, milk and honey can bring a rich flavor to your favorite recipes.

Plus, these two ingredients have been researched for their medicinal properties and are often used as a natural remedy to treat a variety of health conditions.

This article reviews the benefits and drawbacks of honey and milk.

A woman pouring honey into a glass of milk

Benefits

Pairing milk with honey may be associated with several potential health benefits.

May improve sleep quality

Many people drink a glass of warm milk with honey just before bed to help promote better sleep quality, and this remedy is backed by science.

In fact, a study including 68 people who were hospitalized for heart disease found that drinking a mixture of milk and honey twice daily for 3 days improved overall sleep quality.

Plus, several studies have noted that both milk and honey could enhance sleep when used individually.

For example, one study showed that consuming 10 grams, or about 1/2 tablespoon, of honey 30 minutes before bedtime improved sleep quality and reduced nighttime coughing in 300 children with respiratory infections.

Similarly, a study in 421 older adults indicated that those who regularly consumed milk or milk products were less likely to have difficulty falling asleep.

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.

Supports bone strength

Milk is a great source of calcium, an important nutrient that plays a key role in bone health.

Some research suggests that drinking milk could improve bone mineral density and may be linked to a lower risk of osteoporosis and fractures.

Combining milk with honey could boost the former’s bone-building benefits even more.

In fact, one review reported that honey could protect bone health due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties .

Another review of nine studies showed that supplementing with honey could reduce some of the negative effects associated with exercise while increasing bone formation .

Could promote heart health

Milk and honey have each been associated with several potential benefits when it comes to heart health.

In particular, milk has been shown to increase levels of HDL (good) cholesterol, which can help clear plaque from your arteries to protect against heart disease. However, this was only found to be true for whole milk, not skim milk.

It’s also rich in potassium, an essential nutrient that can help reduce blood pressure levels.

Meanwhile, studies show that honey can reduce levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL (bad) cholesterol — all of which are risk factors for heart disease.

It may even decrease several markers of inflammation, which could also contribute to heart disease.

Some studies have found that milk and honey may help improve sleep quality, support bone strength, and promote heart health.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Drawbacks

Although milk and honey may offer several health benefits, there are a few drawbacks to consider.

For starters, cow’s milk may not be suitable if you’re lactose intolerant or following a dairy-free diet, or if you have a milk allergy.

Dairy consumption could also be tied to a higher risk of certain skin conditions, including acne, rosacea, and eczema .

It’s also important to keep in mind that although honey has health properties, it’s high in sugar and calories.

Consuming high amounts of added sugar could contribute to weight gain, heart disease, diabetes, and liver problems.

Honey is also unsuitable for children younger than 12 months old, as it contains bacteria that could contribute to infant botulism, a serious and potentially life threatening condition.

Additionally, heating honey to high temperatures can increase the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a compound that can exert both positive and negative effects on health when consumed in large amounts.

Therefore, it’s best to moderate your intake and avoid heating it to high temperatures to maximize its potential health benefits.

Milk may increase your risk of certain skin conditions and be unsuitable for some people. Honey is also high in sugar and calories and can increase levels of HMF when heated. Additionally, it’s unsuitable for children younger than 12 months.

The bottom line

Milk and honey are two powerful ingredients that offer several promising health benefits.

In particular, they may improve sleep quality, enhance bone strength, and promote heart health.

However, these foods may also have some adverse effects and not be suitable for everyone.

Therefore, it’s best to moderate your intake and enjoy this combo as part of a balanced diet.

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.