Ahead of the fast-approaching summer holidays, travel experts have warned that a popular beverage loved by Brits could lead to a slew of nasty side-effects including bloating, cramps and nausea
Brits have been warned about one popular beverage that could make them ill when abroad – and it’s not tap water. With the summer holidays just around the corner, swathes of UK households will be packing their bags for a week or two in the sun. Despite the cost-of-living crisis continuing to hit cash-strapped Brits hard, research from Tiger.co.uk found that more than half (55 per cent) of us are planning an overseas holiday this year.
If you have children that are still in school, you’ll have little choice but to jet off during the summer months – despite travel agents ramping up their prices.
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The upside to this is that you’re almost guaranteed constant sunshine and scorching temperatures. But, whether you’re flocking to the party-mad hotspot of Benidorm – or the tropical delights of Thailand – falling ill can completely ruin your holiday. While most Brits are extra cautious about tap water or ice when abroad, many don’t think twice about consuming milk.
In a statement sent to the Mirror, Jessie Chambers from Global Work & Travel warns that unlike the fresh dairy milk that is abundant in the UK, many popular tourist destinations use UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) milk instead. This beverage is made by processing milk at 135C for several seconds, killing bacteria but also altering the milk’s structure.
It’s designed to give the quickly-expiring product a long shelf life that can survive in hot climates. But adding it to your tea or coffee could lead to some nasty side-effects.
“We get so many travellers saying they felt ‘off’ after a coffee or hotel breakfast, assuming it was the food,” the travel expert said. “But in reality, they’ve just had a strong dose of UHT milk, which can trigger digestive issues, especially if you’ve got a sensitive stomach.”
While many Brits will be absolutely fine with drinking UHT milk, especially in such small quantities, Global Work & Travel says it could lead to symptoms such as bloating, cramps and nausea if you have IBS or gut sensitivities. Often, this is mistaken for food poisoning.
Jessie therefore advises Brits to ask hotel or restaurant staff whether they have fresh milk, or only use UHT. If you’re staying in self-catering accommodation, it’s worth looking for labels such as ‘UHT’ or ‘Ultra-Heat Treated’ when picking up a bottle of milk from the supermarket.
Even if it is stored in the fridge, you still might be accidentally picking up UHT milk instead of its fresh counterpart. If you’re extremely sensitive to lactose or have a dodgy stomach, it could be worth skipping the milk altogether.
The pro also warns against drinking unlabelled or room-temperature milk unless you’re sure it’s safe and pasteurised. “A strange-tasting brew might not be bad beans – it could just be shelf-stable milk messing with your gut,” Jessie added. “Know what you’re drinking – especially in hot climates where milk storage works differently to the UK.”
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