What are the side effects of drinking mattha milk?

What is mattha?

Mattha is an Indian drink made from buttermilk or plain yogurt thinned with water and flavored with spices. It is similar to chaas but often spicier and a bit thicker. A simple home ratio is 1 cup of yogurt to 2 cups of water, blended with spices such as salt, black pepper, roasted cumin and ginger, with fresh coriander leaves as a garnish. It is usually drunk before or after a meal and is traditionally thought to aid digestion, which is a belief, not a proven effect.

Are there side effects?

We found no reliable reports of side effects from ordinary servings in healthy people. These are the sensible points to watch.

• Lactose intolerance: mattha is made from dairy. The US NIDDK notes that yogurt is lower in lactose than milk and that many people can handle about 12 grams of lactose (about a cup of milk) with mild or no symptoms. Start with a small glass and see.
• Milk allergy: people allergic to cow’s milk should avoid it.
• Salt: recipes often include salt. If you are told to limit sodium, make it with less salt.
• Spices: hot chilies or lots of ginger can upset a sensitive stomach or cause reflux.
• Food safety: buttermilk and yogurt drinks that sit in the heat spoil. If it smells off, tastes unusually sharp, or looks slimy or moldy, throw it out. Use pasteurized dairy.

Is it okay to drink at night or with a cold?

We found no scientific evidence either way. If a cold drink bothers you when you are unwell, skip it.

How to make it gentler

1. Use less salt and fewer chilies.
2. Use lactose-free yogurt if dairy gives you trouble.
3. Serve it fresh, cold, and finish it the same day.

This is general information, not medical advice. If you have digestive illness, kidney problems or a salt-restricted diet, ask your doctor.