Drinking cold milk from the bottle: the habit that weakens the immune system

Milk is a rich and complete food, but when drunk too cold, it can slow down digestion. Our digestive system works best at body temperature, so introducing very cold liquids forces the body to expend energy to warm them up, slowing the assimilation of nutrients.

In addition, cold milk can:

• Cause abdominal cramping or bloating in those with slow digestion or lactose intolerance.
• Stimulate excessive mucus production, which may exacerbate respiratory disorders or seasonal allergies.
• Temporarily reduce enzyme activity, which is essential for proper assimilation.

In short, drinking it fresh out of the refrigerator is not always a good idea, especially if your digestive system is sensitive.

You may be thinking, "It's my bottle, I'm not sharing it with anyone!" But even then, drinking directly from the bottle can promote the proliferation of bacteria. Every time your lips touch the rim, small amounts of saliva end up in the milk, bringing with them microorganisms that, in contact with a rich liquid like milk, find a perfect breeding ground to multiply.

Over time, even if milk is stored in a refrigerator, contamination can:

1. Alter the taste and smell of milk.
2. Accelerate its spoilage.
3. Introduce unwanted bacteria into the body that put pressure on the immune system.

There is no need to be a cleanliness freak: just pouring milk into a glass can prevent this.

Drinking cold milk straight from the refrigerator not only affects digestion, but can also generate an internal cooling reaction that challenges the immune system. When we ingest very cold liquids, the body must compensate for the temperature change by bringing the internal temperature back to normal levels. This mechanism, if repeated often, can stress the body's natural defenses, making it more vulnerable to seasonal ailments.

In addition, sudden cold can cause vasoconstriction of the mucous membranes of the throat and respiratory tract, temporarily reducing their ability to defend against viruses and bacteria. It is no accident if after drinking something icy you feel a slight discomfort in your throat: it is a sign that the mucous membranes are adapting to the temperature change.

In the long run, this habit can promote small chronic inflammations that weaken the body's defense barriers. Drinking milk slightly warmed or at room temperature, on the other hand, helps preserve thermal balance and naturally supports immune function.

Besides the hygienic issue, there is a deeper aspect: the gut is the heart of our immune system. About 70 percent of immune cells are located there. When we introduce contaminated or hard-to-digest foods into the body, our gut goes into "defensive mode," slowing down other protective functions.

Drinking cold and potentially contaminated milk can:

• Alter the balance of the gut microbiota, the community of "good" bacteria that defend the body.
• Promote mild but chronic inflammation, which reduces the immune system's ability to respond to viruses and bacteria.
• Causing a feeling of exhaustion or bloating after meals, signs of a distressed gut.

It may seem like a small detail, but changing the way you drink milk can really have a positive impact. Small daily gestures, such as pouring it into a glass or avoiding drinking it too cold, help keep the intestinal flora in balance, strengthen the immune system and promote more harmonious digestion.

Today, more than ever, health is also built at the table: listening to your body is the first step in taking conscious care of it. Milk remains a valuable food, but it is often how we consume it that makes the real difference.