Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (2024)

    close

01/4Know whether to boil milk or not before drinking from a dairy expert

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (1)Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (2)

Shop Similar Look

When it comes to drinking milk, Indian households have a habit of always boiling it first. It is true that milk needs boiling in order to get rid of harmful bacteria, but it is valid only for raw milk. Pasteurized milk which is available in polybag packing in the market has already been gone through the process of destroying bacteria and is fit for drinking right from the packet.

Let's see what Sanjeev Tomer, a Dairy Technologist with over 30 years of experience has to say regarding this.

by Shivanshi Tomerreadmore

02/4​Raw vs Pasteurized Milk

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (3)

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (4)Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (5)

Shop Similar Look

Raw milk is the one which we buy from milk vendors and it directly comes from milking the cows. This type of milk definitely needs boiling in order to eliminate the bacteria which might weaken the immune system and affect the health of pregnant women and children.

Pasteurized milk on the other hand is packaged milk which we get from the market.

“This milk goes through different levels of processing as well as pasteurization which removes impurities, bacteria and other organisms, making it fit for drinking” says Tomer.

readmore

03/4​To boil or not?

According to Tomer, boiling already pasteurized milk repeatedly leads to denaturation of essential nutrients. In simpler words, when pasteurized milk is boiled at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius for more than 10 minutes, it leads to depletion of the essential nutrients. Milk is known to be rich in vitamin D which helps in calcium absorption. Repeated boiling of milk can also reduce the amount of this vitamin in it which can lead to less calcium absorption, which can further lead to weaker bones.

readmore

04/4​Some essential tips

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (9)

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (10)Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (11)

Shop Similar Look

It is safe to warm up the packaged milk a bit before drinking it but avoid boiling it for more than 10 minutes. Ideally a glass of milk gets warm enough within 4-5 minutes on medium flame and becomes fit for drinking. This will ensure that the essential nutrients in milk remain intact.

You can boil the raw milk in one go and then store it in the refrigerator to preserve it. Similarly, in case of pasteurized milk, take only the amount of milk you need and just warm it up instead of boiling it.

So, it all boils down to the type of milk you are using. Make sure you keep the above given tips in mind and boil or warm up your milk depending on the type of milk you are using and enjoy it without compromising on nutrition.

readmore

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (12)

End of Story

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert (2024)

FAQs

Benefits of Boiling Milk: Should you boil milk before drinking it? Know it from a dairy expert? ›

Thus, you don't have to boil milk for safety reasons unless it's raw, unpasteurized milk. In that case, bringing it to a boil or near a boil will significantly reduce most bacteria levels sufficiently ( 1 ). People often boil milk when they use it in cooking. You can boil raw milk to kill any harmful bacteria.

Is it better to boil milk before drinking? ›

It is true that milk needs boiling in order to get rid of harmful bacteria, but it is valid only for raw milk. Pasteurized milk which is available in polybag packing in the market has already been gone through the process of destroying bacteria and is fit for drinking right from the packet.

Does boiling milk make it healthier? ›

Nutrition Effects of Boiling Milk

Studies have found that while boiling milk eliminated bacteria from raw milk, it also greatly reduced its whey protein levels. Other tests have shown lower levels of vitamins and minerals in boiled milk, including vitamin B2, B3, B6, and folic acid -- in some cases by as much as 36%.

What are the benefits of drinking milk without boiling? ›

Raw milk advocates argue that it's a complete, natural food containing more amino acids, antimicrobials, vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids than pasteurized milk. They also claim that it's a better choice for those with lactose intolerance, asthma, and autoimmune and allergic conditions.

Is pasteurized milk safe to drink without boiling? ›

Pasteurised milk can be consumed without boiling as it is free from harmful microbes. The milk is heated and the suddenly chilled and stored. Which of the following is the correct heating temperature and time for the pasteurisation? 62.8°C for 30 min.

Why do people drink boiled milk? ›

Thus, you don't have to boil milk for safety reasons unless it's raw, unpasteurized milk. In that case, bringing it to a boil or near a boil will significantly reduce most bacteria levels sufficiently ( 1 ). People often boil milk when they use it in cooking. You can boil raw milk to kill any harmful bacteria.

Is it OK to drink over boiled milk? ›

1. Nutrient loss: Dragged boiling can degrade some nutrients in milk like vitamins B12 and C. 2. Taste revision: Overboiling the milk can lead to development of a burnt taste, which can be unwelcome.

Does boiling milk destroy vitamin D? ›

Vitamins and proteins are denatured and destroyed when milk is boiled at temperatures above 100 degrees Celsius for over 15 minutes. Milk is a vital source for Vitamin D and Vitamin B 12, which help in calcium absorption. Both these vitamins are highly heat sensitive and boiling milk destroys both substantially.

Does boiling milk destroy hormones? ›

Boiling milk can help eliminate traces of oxytocin. Oxytocin is one such injection that not only affects the cattle but also humans.

How long should you boil milk for? ›

It doesn't take that long to boil milk but be sure to not boil it longer than 3 minutes to retain it's nutritional value. Boiling milk is a great way to eliminate all of the pathogens inside of it that normal pasteurization does not kill. Refrigerate immediately after boiling.

Which vitamin is destroyed by boiling milk? ›

Research has demonstrated that boiling milk can reduce its B vitamin content, with one study finding that boiling milk reduces its B vitamin content by around 25%.

Does boiling milk destroy vitamin B12? ›

However, the loss of vitamin that occurs while heating the milk up to 100°C is only around 10% of the total B12 vitamin.

Which milk is not required to be boiled? ›

In the case of milk packets, the content has already been pasteurized, so there is no need to boil it at high temperatures or heat it for more than 6 to 8 minutes at 100 degrees Celsius. This will keep the nutrients in place. Thus pasteurized milk do not contains any enzymes or microbes, it does not need to be boiled.

Can you drink raw milk if you boil it? ›

"Raw milk from the farm should always be boiled prior to consumption, because it may be contaminated with pathogens such as campylobacter or EHEC", explains Prof. Dr. Dr. Andreas Hensel, President of the BfR .

How long does boiled milk last in the fridge? ›

After boiling the milk, it can be kept in the fridge for 2–3 days at 4°C(i.e. the refrigeration temperature).

How much milk should I drink a day? ›

Men and women should aim to consume three cups of milk each day. A cup is equal to 8 ounces of milk or yogurt. Cheese also counts! One and a half ounces of hard cheese is equivalent to one cup of milk when it comes to nutrition.

Should I warm milk before drinking? ›

In order to digest milk properly, one should avoid drinking cold milk right out of the refrigerator. Milk should be brought to a boil. Allow the milk to foam up, and then bring the heat down so the milk is on a slow boil for about 5 to 10 minutes.

Why milk is boiled before consuming? ›

Fresh milk must be boiled in order to destroy any harmful microorganisms that may be present. While processed milk has been pasteurized, making it safe to consume straight. Pasteurized milk is boiled at 70 degrees Celsius and then suddenly cooled.

Does boiling milk remove lactose? ›

8) Does cooking destroy lactose? No, lactose does not disappear during cooking.

How to make milk more digestible? ›

The process of boiling changes the molecular structure of the milk, breaking down the milk proteins into digestible amino acids ensuring that it easier and lighter to digest, taken with spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, black pepper, turmeric can help reduce the accumulation of phlegm for kapha types and its ...

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Last Updated:

Views: 5871

Rating: 4.6 / 5 (56 voted)

Reviews: 95% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Foster Heidenreich CPA

Birthday: 1995-01-14

Address: 55021 Usha Garden, North Larisa, DE 19209

Phone: +6812240846623

Job: Corporate Healthcare Strategist

Hobby: Singing, Listening to music, Rafting, LARPing, Gardening, Quilting, Rappelling

Introduction: My name is Foster Heidenreich CPA, I am a delightful, quaint, glorious, quaint, faithful, enchanting, fine person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.