What if you need to drink a glass of milk just after gulping down a can of energy drink? Is there any issue? And what exactly happens when you mix energy drinks with milk? Let’s figure that out in this post!
Key Takeaways:
Energy drinks are acidic, so when mixed with milk, the milk curdles because the protein molecules (like casein) start attracting each other and form lumps. Generally, it’s not recommended to drink milk mixed with acidic substances because it can cause issues like gas and heartburn.
To learn more about what happens if you mix energy drinks with milk, and should you even drink milk after drinking an energy drink, ensure to read till the end.
What Happens After Mixing Of Energy Drinks With Milk: The Science
Watch this video to see what happens when an energy drink like Red Bull is mixed with milk:
If you have seen the above video, you have noticed how the milk thickens and curdles as soon as it is mixed with Red Bull.
So why does that happen? The short answer: CHEMICAL REACTION!
And to understand it, we need to take a closer look at the composition of both milk and energy drinks.
- Milk comprises main components like water, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
- On the other hand, energy drinks contain caffeine, vitamins, sugars, and antioxidants. Generally, energy drinks have a pH of 1.5-3.3 making them acidic in nature.
The reason why milk curdles when you mix energy drinks with them has a lot to do with the protein floating in the milk and the acidic behavior of the energy drinks.
In a normal glass of milk, the protein molecules keep floating freely, and they repel each other, which prevents them from forming clumps. But the moment they are mixed with acid nature energy drinks like Red Bull, the repulsion tendency of the protein molecules is lost.
Now the same protein molecules start attracting each other, resulting in clumps forming. So this is how the milk curdles.
Moreover, you may not enjoy the curdled milk taste – it would taste really odd.
What Happens When You Drink Milk After Energy Drinks?
Let’s say you grabbed and sipped a can of Red Bull.
Now here’s the thing:
| Type of Liquid | Time To Digest |
| Simple liquids like juices and tea | 30 minutes |
| Complex liquids like protein shakes | 40-60 minutes |
So roughly, if you consume milk after 30-60 minutes of drinking an energy drink – there shouldn’t be any issue. This is because, by that time, your energy drink should have already been digested by your stomach.
So your body will digest the milk you consume after consuming an energy drink in a similar way when you drink the milk alone.
However, what if you drink milk before the energy drink is digested by the body (and still present in the stomach)?
Well, a similar reaction will happen as you saw in that previous video of mixing red bull and milk. The Casein proteins of the milk will start solidifying and sticking together, forming lumps.
Is it really bad to drink milk right after you drink an energy drink? Let’s dig into that in the following section.
Can I Drink Milk After Energy Drink?
You may not experience a major health issue in the short term if you drink milk right after an energy drink. That said, consuming milk after an energy drink regularly can have a bad health impact in the long term.
A consultant physician of a hospital in Mumbai, Dr. Moon, strongly advises against consuming milk mixed with citrus or acidic items.
Consuming milk with citrus or acidic items can lead to problems like bloating, heartburn, allergies, cold, and cough.
Does The Milk Curdle Because of Acidic Drink Alone?
The milk curdles in your stomach even when you drink it without any other beverage! The stomach’s acidic environment and a specific proteolytic enzyme known as Rennin are responsible for the curdling of the milk as it enters the stomach.
If you remember those old high school biology classes, you know inside the stomach – HCL is secreted, which creates an acidic environment. And it helps in the digestion of the food.
Moreover, an enzyme known as renin is secreted by the stomach. So as the milk enters the stomach, chemical reactions happen in the acidic environment and the enzyme resulting in the formation of curd.
So why does the milk curdle in the stomach? If the milk didn’t curdle in the stomach, it would flow through and get absorbed like any other liquid. And thus, the body would miss the opportunity of digesting the proteins in the milk.
Now, protein is an essential nutrient for the body. And it is especially vital for babies that solely rely on milk as their primary source of diet. And hence, the milk gets curdled in our stomachs.
But that said, it doesn’t mean you should drink curdled milk right off the bat. Frankly, it won’t taste great, and the next time you’ll feel hesitant about drinking milk, the same taste will come to mind.
Related Read: G FUEL With Water Or Milk? [Taste Showdown & Mix Tips]
Can I Drink Curdled Milk?
As a general rule, if the milk has been curdled because of the cooking process or as a part of the recipe, there shouldn’t be any issue from a health perspective. Why? Because curdled milk on its own is not harmful.
However, be careful that curdling of the milk is also a sign your milk has gone bad. So if your milk has spoiled and you see signs of curdling or it becoming slimy – it’s best to stay clear from it.
How Long Should I Wait For Drinking Milk Right After Energy Drink?
Typically, if you drink a glass of milk after an hour of drinking an energy drink, that should be fine. This is because the energy drink should have already been digested and absorbed by the stomach by that time.
But due to bloating or other health issues, it’s not advised to drink milk and energy drinks together, just like it’s said to avoid drinking milk with citrus items like lemon.
