Dr. Ranjana Nanda

Have you heard of a 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 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 Gastroesphegal reflux disease.

From 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 millimeters and 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 cause  colic 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.

In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!

Do not take medicines for heart disease or high blood pressure without talking to a doctor. This could be dangerous.