Does Pure Milk Nourish or Harm the Stomach?

Whether milk nourishes or hurts the stomach is contingent upon the specific circumstances. The primary reason milk nourishes the stomach is that upon entering the stomach, it creates a protective layer on the gastric mucosa. This characteristic dictates which gastric patients derive benefit from milk consumption. For individuals with excessive gastric acid secretion, ingesting milk during stomach discomfort can effectively dilute gastric acid, significantly alleviating stomach pain symptoms. In the case of gastric ulcer patients, milk consumption forms a protein protective film within the stomach, which aids in reducing or averting the irritation of gastric acid on the ulcer surface. Nevertheless, for reflux gastritis patients who consume milk during pain episodes, it may stimulate and prompt the gallbladder to excrete copious amounts of bile, thereby intensifying ulcer surface irritation and self-digestion, potentially causing or exacerbating pain symptoms. It is crucial to be mindful of the timing and manner of milk consumption, preferring warm milk over cold, and ensuring ample rest and a positive mindset.

Composition and Benefits of Milk

Milk, predominantly comprising water, fat, phospholipids, protein, lactose, and inorganic salts, is colloquially referred to as "white blood." Across nations, milk is categorized into various grades, generally encompassing three primary types: whole milk, high-calcium low-fat milk, and skim milk. Rich in minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, and molybdenum, milk serves as the optimal source of calcium for the human body, with a calcium-phosphorus ratio ideally suited for calcium absorption. In accordance with traditional Chinese medicine, milk fosters lung and stomach nourishment, stimulates saliva production, and lubricates the intestines. It imparts a calming and soothing effect on the body, benefiting those with chronic diabetes, thirst, constipation, physical weakness, qi and blood deficiency, and spleen-stomach disharmony. Furthermore, milk consumption promotes restful sleep, and milk baths have been known to alleviate insomnia.