What Does Putting Honey in Your Milk Do? The Benefits and Risks

December 21, 2025 •

4 min read

According to a 2018 study on hospitalized heart disease patients, drinking a mixture of milk and honey twice daily for three days improved their overall sleep quality. This time-honored combination has been used for centuries across different cultures, but what does putting honey in your milk do to your body beyond improving sleep?.

Quick Summary

This article explores the health effects of adding honey to milk, detailing potential benefits for sleep, immunity, and digestion, while also covering important drawbacks like sugar content and allergens. The combination offers a nutrient-dense beverage but should be consumed in moderation.

Key Points

Enhanced Sleep: The combination promotes better sleep by increasing the effect of milk's tryptophan with honey's natural sugars, leading to melatonin production.
Immunity Boost: The antibacterial and antioxidant properties of honey, along with milk's immunoglobulins, can strengthen the immune system and help fight infections.
Improved Digestion: Honey acts as a prebiotic, fostering a healthy gut microbiome, which, combined with milk, can aid digestion and alleviate constipation.
Stronger Bones: Honey's compounds enhance the body's absorption of milk's calcium, boosting bone density and fighting inflammation to prevent conditions like osteoporosis.
Nutrient-Rich Beverage: The drink offers a combination of proteins, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, creating a more wholesome and energy-boosting option.
Considerations: Due to high sugar content, calorie load, and potential for allergic or digestive reactions, moderation is key. Honey is unsafe for infants under 12 months.

The Combined Power of Milk and Honey

The simple act of mixing honey with milk combines the nutritional value of both ingredients, creating a potent and flavorful drink. Milk is a rich source of calcium, protein, and vitamins, while honey offers antioxidants, enzymes, and antibacterial properties. When consumed together, these two ingredients can offer a range of synergistic health benefits. To maximize the health benefits, it is important to add honey to lukewarm, not boiling hot, milk.

Enhancing Sleep Quality

For many, a warm glass of milk with honey is a classic bedtime ritual to combat sleeplessness. This folk remedy is supported by scientific insight. Milk contains tryptophan, an amino acid that the brain converts into serotonin and then melatonin, hormones that regulate sleep. Honey's natural sugars can cause a small spike in insulin, which helps tryptophan enter the brain more readily, amplifying its sleep-inducing effect. The gentle warmth of the milk also has a calming, soothing effect on the body.

Boosting Immunity and Fighting Infections

Both milk and honey possess properties that can support the immune system. Honey is known for its natural antibacterial, antiviral, and antioxidant properties, which help the body fight off infections. Milk provides immunoglobulins and other compounds that contribute to overall immune function. When combined, they offer a more robust defense, and a warm honey-milk drink can be particularly effective in soothing sore throats and relieving coughs associated with respiratory infections.

Improving Digestive Health

Mixing honey in milk can be beneficial for the digestive system. Honey acts as a prebiotic, nourishing the 'good' bacteria in the digestive tract. This helps to restore and maintain a healthy gut microbiome, which is essential for proper digestion and nutrient absorption. The combination can also provide a gentle laxative effect, helping to relieve constipation and reduce bloating and cramping.

Supporting Bone Strength

Milk is a well-known source of calcium, a vital mineral for building and maintaining strong bones. Honey enhances the body's ability to absorb calcium more effectively, ensuring the benefits of milk are maximized. Additionally, honey's antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties can contribute to bone health and protect against conditions like osteoporosis and joint inflammation. This makes the combination especially beneficial for aging individuals who are experiencing a loss in bone density.

Promoting Skin Health

Beyond internal benefits, milk and honey have a long history of use in skincare. The combination contains essential nutrients like proteins, amino acids, and minerals that support healthy skin tissue. When consumed, their antioxidant properties help fight free radical damage that contributes to aging. When applied topically, honey's moisturizing and antibacterial properties combined with milk's gentle exfoliating lactic acid can lead to clearer, more hydrated skin.

A Comparison: Honey Milk vs. Plain Milk


Feature	Plain Milk	Milk with Honey	Result of Combination
Sugar & Calories	Natural sugars (lactose), low calories.	Added sugars (fructose/glucose), higher calories.	Adds sweetness and calories, requiring moderation.
Flavor Profile	Neutral, creamy.	Rich, sweet, and comforting.	Enhances palatability for those who dislike plain milk.
Sleep Aid Potential	Contains tryptophan, which aids sleep.	Tryptophan absorption is enhanced by honey's natural sugars.	Potentially more effective as a sleep aid.
Immune Support	Contains some immune-boosting compounds.	Enhanced by honey's antibacterial and antioxidant properties.	A more potent immune-supporting beverage.
Digestive Impact	Can cause issues for lactose intolerant individuals.	Honey's prebiotic effect may aid digestion for some, but can worsen symptoms for high-FODMAP sensitive individuals.	Variable, depending on individual sensitivities.

Potential Risks and Considerations

While the combination of milk and honey offers many benefits, there are important considerations to keep in mind.

High Sugar Content

Honey is primarily composed of sugar and calories. Excessive consumption of added sugars can contribute to weight gain, increase the risk of heart disease, and negatively impact blood sugar levels. Individuals with diabetes or those managing their weight should be mindful of their intake.

Digestive Issues

For people with lactose intolerance, consuming milk with honey can exacerbate digestive issues such as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Furthermore, honey is a high-FODMAP food, which can trigger symptoms in individuals with sensitive digestive systems or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Infant Botulism Risk

Honey should never be given to children under 12 months of age. It can contain spores of Clostridium botulinum bacteria, which can cause a serious and potentially fatal condition called infant botulism in their underdeveloped digestive systems.

Effect of Heat

Heating honey to high temperatures can increase the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), a compound that can have both positive and negative health effects when consumed in large amounts. To maximize the health benefits and avoid potential downsides, it's best to add honey to lukewarm milk, not hot milk.

Conclusion

Putting honey in your milk can do more than just improve the taste. This classic concoction is renowned for its calming and restorative properties, offering a range of benefits from promoting better sleep and digestion to strengthening bones and boosting the immune system. The combination leverages the individual strengths of both milk and honey, creating a synergistic effect that can positively impact overall wellness. However, it is crucial to consume it in moderation due to its sugar and calorie content. Individuals with lactose intolerance, diabetes, or those preparing drinks for infants should take necessary precautions. By understanding both the advantages and the potential drawbacks, you can enjoy a comforting and nutritious cup of honey milk as part of a balanced diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

For therapeutic effects like promoting sleep or soothing a sore throat, warm (not hot) milk with honey is traditionally recommended. Cold milk with honey, on the other hand, can be refreshing and may boost stamina.

While some claim it helps, honey adds extra sugar and calories. Excessively consuming it without accounting for portion sizes could lead to weight gain. For weight management, it is crucial to consume in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Due to honey's high sugar content, it can raise blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should consume honey in strict moderation and consult a healthcare professional before incorporating it regularly into their diet.

No, honey should never be given to infants younger than 12 months due to the risk of infant botulism. Their digestive systems are not fully developed to handle the spores that honey can contain.

Heating honey to very high temperatures can destroy some of its beneficial enzymes and antioxidants. To retain its properties, it is best to add honey to milk that is lukewarm or has cooled slightly.

Yes, you can drink milk with honey daily as part of a balanced diet, provided you consume it in moderation. However, those who are lactose intolerant or have certain health conditions should be cautious and consult a professional.

Topical application can utilize honey's antibacterial and moisturizing properties with milk's exfoliating lactic acid to help with acne, soothe irritation, and hydrate the skin for a more radiant glow.