What are the possible side effects of consuming Doodh soda?

What is doodh soda?

Doodh soda (doodh means milk) is a cold drink popular in Pakistan. An Oladoc article lists the usual ingredients: milk, sugar, basil seeds (tukh malanga), water, and Seven Up or a similar cold drink, with ice optional. The article says it is drunk in summer and served at sehri and iftar during Ramadan.

Possible side effects

• Bloating and gas: carbonation plus milk can leave some people feeling full or gassy.
• Lactose intolerance symptoms: the NHS lists stomach ache, bloating, wind, diarrhoea and feeling sick, which can start a few minutes or a few hours after dairy.
• Sugar and teeth: the NHS says sugar is one of the main causes of tooth decay. It adds that a can of cola can contain as much as nine sugar cubes, more than the recommended daily limit for adults of 30 g of free sugars.
• Extra calories: milk, sugar and a soft drink together add up, so it is a treat rather than a daily drink.

What the internet claims but we cannot confirm

The Oladoc article says the mix harms the liver, kidneys, bones and glands, and also claims benefits for blood pressure and depression. It cites no studies for any of these, so we treat them as unproven. We found no medical source showing that milk and soda together are dangerous for healthy people. The separated look that can appear is the milk reacting with the acid in the soda, not a sign of poison.

Who should avoid it

• People with lactose intolerance or milk allergy.
• People who need to limit sugar, including those managing diabetes (ask your doctor).
• Young children, because the NHS says sugary fizzy drinks have no place in a child’s daily diet.

How to make it gentler

• Use less sugar and a smaller glass.
• Pour the soda slowly into cold milk and serve straight away.
• Try a sugar-free soda if you need fewer sugars, and drink it with a meal rather than between meals.

See a doctor if symptoms keep coming back after dairy.