Far too often, we hit the bar and plan to down a glass of milk as soon as we get home. But given the many myths and misconceptions about drinking the liquid after an alcoholic beverage, you might wonder if it’s the best decision.
Can we drink milk after beer?
This blog post explores all the facts about combining dairy products with beer to help you decide the next time you want to drink milk after imbibing a few bottles of your favourite beer.
Read on to discover how these beverages interact within our bodies and learn the potential side effects of enjoying both in succession.
The Tradition of Mixing Milk and Beer
Mixing milk and beer dates back to ancient cultures before it was even considered a bad idea in many contemporary societies.
We don’t recommend drinking milk after beer because of the potential health risks. Mixing alcohol with dairy products can cause complications such as increased acid production in the stomach, contributing to acidic gastritis or other gastrointestinal issues.
Not only can drinking beer on an empty stomach further exacerbate these issues but even pasteurized milk has been known to curdle when added to alcoholic beverages such as White Russians or Eggnog because it lacks healthy bacteria.
Again, alcohol contains no nutrients and has almost as much energy as fat. Therefore, it will only increase your caloric intake and hinder possible nutrient absorption from the milk you consume afterwards.
Historical Perspective: Milk and Beer in Different Cultures
For centuries, people worldwide have been consuming alcohol and dairy products. In some regions, this practice was common during special occasions or festivals. In others, the two drinks even became a staple for consumption at social gatherings.
People often used milk to enhance flavours, and its use years ago differed from today. Ancient Egyptians valued beer so highly that they produced several types from grains such as wheat, malted barley, and perhaps other cereals.
Beer consumed by ancient cultures would contain frothy organic material, traditionally including milk components like buttermilk or curds made from their oxen’s milk.
During Plato’s rule in Greece, mixing sour milk with regular wine resulted in what Greeks called ‘kykeon,’ which also comprised other ingredients like water, wheat barley mash, and cheese whey or ass fermented goat’s-milk yoghurt. The mixture was beloved for its intoxicating properties.
Contemporary Views: Combining Dairy and Alcohol
Today, the idea of combining beer with dairy is uncommon. The prevalence of craft beers has made mixing two or more flavours more popular.
That said, some cultures traditionally consume cocktails with beer and milk. For example, in some parts of Asia, people alter their brews’ taste by adding a bit of sweetening condensed milk or yoghurt for a thicker texture.
Historically, consuming alcohol and milk was common among ancient Greeks, who believed it had many medicinal benefits, such as aiding digestion and curing hangovers.
Understanding the Science Behind Milk and Beer
To understand how milk and beer interact in the digestive system, consider how beer affects digestion and how specific proteins in dairy products interact with the alcoholic beverage.
How Does Beer Affects Digestion?
Alcohol, especially beer, affects digestion by disrupting the communication between the stomach and the brain, which controls stomach acid production. Drinking beer can cause discomfort, such as nausea and heartburn, since it increases the acidic content of our stomachs.
Additionally, alcohol can increase inflammation within the intestines, resulting in cramping or bloating after a while. Notably, the liver is crucial in metabolizing and processing alcohol effectively.
However, long-term consumption of alcohol can damage the critical organ, causing issues with digestion.
Furthermore, alcoholic beverages often contain sugar or other carbohydrates, which may also exacerbate digestive problems for those already sensitive to these components of beer.
How Milk Interacts With Beer in the Digestive System
Beer and milk are dietary staples. But their interaction in the digestive system isn’t beneficial. Alcohol limits the body’s ability to break down certain nutrients in milk, such as protein and healthy fats.
This can reduce the amount of nutrition absorbed from a glass of milk after drinking beer. Some essential enzymes may also be hindered when consuming alcohol and dairy products, compromising nutrient absorption and overall digestion.
Consumption of beers with significant lactose content (such as white Russians) might even result in an allergic reaction due to its effects on the intestines, leading to gastrointestinal distress.
Myths and Truths About Drinking Milk After Beer
Despite popular belief, you can safely drink milk after beer. But that requires throwing some of the most popular misconceptions about the practice out the window.
One of them is that drinking a glass of milk after consuming alcohol can help reduce a hangover or neutralize its effects. This myth dates back to pre-modern societies, where dairy products were believed to soothe the stomach and provide nutrients that might otherwise be lost from heavy drinking.
Also, within some cultures, it was thought that coating the walls of one’s digestive system with a thin film of dairy proteins would protect against further damage from incoming toxic intoxicants like alcohol.
Other anecdotal evidence suggests that consuming this mixture helps prevent intoxication faster than just having an alcoholic beverage alone, as it aids in quicker digestion due to increased fat content.
What Science Says About Drinking Milk After Beer
Scientific evidence has primarily debunked the belief that drinking milk can lessen the effects of alcohol or “line your stomach” before a night of heavy drinking.
While cow’s milk is rich in essential nutrients such as calcium, zinc, magnesium, phosphorus, protein, and fat suitable for overall health, it doesn’t inherently prevent intoxication or offset the harmful health risks associated with overconsumption of alcohol.
Furthermore, enzymes in beer and other alcoholic beverages can interact negatively with lactose, which is present in some high-fat types of milk like whole or cream. That could cause digestive discomfort or upset stomach if consumed simultaneously.
Potential Side Effects of Drinking Milk After Beer
Drinking milk after beer can lead to stomach irritation, nausea, and bloating symptoms, owing to how the two beverages interact.
Alcohol in your digestive system can damage the cells lining the stomach and intestines, deterring nutrient absorption.
Again, this impairment could inhibit the transport of crucial nutrients into the bloodstream, affecting your overall health.
Furthermore, beer consumption by breastfeeding mothers may cause infants to consume about 20% less milk due to altered lactation rhythms. Consequently, that causes agitation and poor sleep patterns for babies.
Therefore, breastfeeding mothers shouldn’t consume beer or other alcoholic beverages for their infant’s well-being.
Long-Term Health Implications
While the immediate health risks associated with drinking milk after beer may be disputed, abundant research points to the long-term effects alcohol can have on health.
Heavy or regular consumption of alcohol can result in damaged heart tissue, altered blood pressure, and a weakened immune system. And unfortunately, milk cannot shield you from them.
Furthermore, long-term alcohol consumption causes kidney problems. Combining dairy products and alcoholic drinks increases your risk for gastrointestinal issues such as chronic acid reflux (GERD).
Lastly, another potential side-effect of long-term beer consumption is liver cirrhosis, which can develop from excessive caloric intake. When pairing beer and milk, this problem could become chronic over time.
Alternatives to Milk After Drinking Beer
Water is the best hydrating alternative to drink after beer instead of milk. Thankfully, it contains no sugar, calories, or additives.
Aside from regular water, other hydrating alternatives can provide the body with rehydrating nutrients needed after drinking beer. Here are some options for hydration:
- Coconut water: Natural electrolytes help your body stay hydrated without added sugars or artificial flavours like many sports beverages offer.
- Infused waters: Flavored waters are a great way to hydrate while enjoying the added flavour. The combination of fruits and herbs gives the drink an extra boost of vitamins!
- Smoothies: Combining yoghurt, fruit, and vegetables in smoothies is one way to replenish lost fluids faster. The nutritious snack helps move food through the digestive tract quicker and keeps you lightheaded longer.
Nutritional Considerations
When considering drinking milk after beer, it is essential to understand the potential impacts of dairy on your digestive system and overall health.
Milk provides many vital nutrients, such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D, which can be beneficial for maintaining good health in general.
However, alcohol consumption reduces nutrient absorption by impairing digestion, meaning you might not fully benefit from the milk.
FAQs On Can We Drink Milk After Beer
Is it safe to drink milk after consuming beer?
While some people can safely drink milk after beer, others may experience problems like stomach upsets and diarrhoea if they have trouble digesting lactose due to the alcohol.
Can combining milk and beer increase the risk of illness?
Combining milk and beer doesn’t necessarily increase your risk of any illness. However, it might irritate sensitive digestive systems and cause stomach problems.
Final Take On Can We Drink Milk After Beer
Unfortunately, no scientific evidence supports the myth that drinking milk after beer alleviates hangover symptoms. The combination of dairy and alcohol can irritate your digestive system and cause gas buildup and increased stomach acidity.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the night is the best way to stay hydrated after consuming beer. You can replenish nutrients with healthier alternatives like coconut water or an electrolyte-rich smoothie.
This not only keeps you healthy but also guarantees a good time!
