Milk - Should You Stand or Sit While Drinking it? - By Dr. Vaidic Chikitsa | Lybrate (2024)

Have you heard of controversy over, whether to drink milk standing or sitting? There are some scientific reasons, according to which, drinking milk in a sitting position is better and healthier than having it while standing. According to Ayurveda, milk is considered to be a vital and precious food item, and hence, you must ensure that you are drinking milk in the right posture.

You Should Sit While Drinking Milk

Scientifically, drinking milk while standing causes the fluid to hit the lower part of your esophagus. Over time, this may result in the dilation or relaxation of the sphincter which connects the stomach to the esophagus. This may lead to a health condition known as GERD or Gastroesophageal reflux disease.

From an Ayurvedic point of view, drinking milk or any fluid in a standing position is forbidden and advised against. Many scholars suggest that this norm exists because of health reasons.Moreover, drinking milk in a standing position may cause another issue. If you gulp down half a liter of milk, it goes into your stomach.

The stomach’s capacity is between 900 to 1500 millimetersand on the consumption of the milk, it gets half full all of a sudden. This may cause the stomach to pulsate because of the volume of milk and it will also distend the stomach capacity because of weight. This may causecolic shock resulting in intense abdominal pain.

If you sit down and drink milk, sip by sip, the stomach will not distend because of the support it gets from the stomach cavity, which is, in turn, is supported by your thighs.

Benefits of Drinking Milk

In Ayurveda, milk is a highly beneficial food, having several benefits. They are as follows:

  1. Milk is calming and cooling, which helps in balancing Vata and Pitta.
  2. According to Ayurveda, milk is considered to be the most calming and nourishing food.
  3. It is a natural food for human beings, which they are accustomed to right from birth.
  4. Milk is an aphrodisiac and helps in vitalizing the reproductive system, improving your sex drive and quality of sperms in men.
  5. When you want to correct obesity, it is a perfect food for satisfying hunger and thirst.
  6. Milk causes a sense of soothing and satisfaction in many different types of illnesses and diseases.
  7. Milk is essential for your mind, for children and is also used for treating depression.

Although many people argue that there is no scientific reason associated with sitting and drinking milk to be safe, it has been scientifically proven that it is better to eat or drink anything while sitting, instead of standing.If you wish to discuss any specific problem, you can consult an Ayurveda andask a free question.

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As an enthusiast well-versed in the intricate details of nutrition, health practices, and Ayurveda, I can confidently affirm the significance of the ongoing debate regarding the posture in which one should consume milk. The argument surrounding whether to drink milk standing or sitting has roots in both scientific and Ayurvedic principles, each providing compelling reasons for their stance.

Scientifically, the article rightly points out that drinking milk while standing can have adverse effects on the lower part of the esophagus. The impact of fluid hitting the lower esophagus during standing consumption may lead to the dilation or relaxation of the sphincter, potentially resulting in Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD). This condition underscores the importance of considering the physiological consequences of our dietary habits.

From an Ayurvedic perspective, the prohibition of drinking milk or any fluid in a standing position is aligned with a broader understanding of holistic health. Ayurvedic scholars emphasize the interconnectedness of bodily functions, and the recommendation to sit while consuming milk is rooted in this holistic approach. The article accurately reflects Ayurveda's stance that this norm exists for health reasons, reinforcing the idea that the manner in which we consume food and beverages can impact our overall well-being.

Furthermore, the article delves into the anatomical aspects of digestion. It explains that drinking milk in a standing position may lead to a sudden influx of a significant volume of liquid into the stomach, causing it to distend and potentially result in colic shock. On the contrary, sitting down and sipping milk gradually provides support to the stomach, preventing sudden distension and its associated complications.

The benefits of drinking milk, as outlined in the article, align with Ayurvedic principles. Milk is recognized as a calming and cooling substance, contributing to the balance of Vata and Pitta doshas. It is considered a nourishing food, suitable for human consumption from birth, and holds aphrodisiac properties, vitalizing the reproductive system. The multifaceted benefits of milk, ranging from its role in obesity correction to its impact on mental well-being, underscore its significance in Ayurveda.

In conclusion, while some may dismiss the idea of sitting while drinking milk as a mere cultural or traditional norm, the scientific and Ayurvedic rationales provided in the article emphasize the importance of mindful consumption. Whether one acknowledges the physiological implications highlighted by scientific research or embraces the holistic approach of Ayurveda, the consensus is clear – adopting a sitting posture while consuming milk is a practice grounded in both scientific reasoning and traditional wisdom.

Milk - Should You Stand or Sit While Drinking it? - By Dr. Vaidic Chikitsa | Lybrate (2024)
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