What is Horlicks?
Horlicks is a malted milk drink invented by James and William Horlick [1] in 1873.
It's made from wheat, malted barley, and dried whey milk, and is enriched with various vitamins and minerals.
This age-old remedy has a creamy texture and malty flavour designed to relax you before bed. 🥛
Does Horlicks actually make you sleepy?
Despite its long-standing reputation as a bedtime drink, Horlicks has no sedative properties.
This means there's nothing in its ingredients that directly induces sleep. 🤔
Yet, the comforting warmth and nutritional content, rich in minerals and protein, might help you unwind before bed.
These nutrients can help alleviate nighttime hunger and the grogginess that often postpones sleep.
We'll unpack this in more detail in the next section.
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![Horlicks Malted Milk Drink]()
![Horlicks Malted Milk Drink]()
Horlicks![Horlicks]()
Horlicks Malted Milk DrinkPrice from £ 17.49This 2 kg pack of Horlicks original malted milk drink is packed with nutrients and minerals to promote relaxation.This 2 kg pack of Horlicks original malted milk drink is packed with nutrients and minerals to promote relaxation.Price from £ 17.49
How does Horlicks help you sleep?
Despite Horlicks not containing any ingredients that promote drowsiness, it is rich in vitamins and minerals that may help with sleep. ✅
Vitamin B, iron, zinc, magnesium, and phosphorus can help you feel more relaxed and wind down before bed.
Milk also contains the amino acid tryptophan, which has sleep-promoting abilities [2].
Another factor contributing to sleepiness is that hot drinks generally promote a cosy, snuggly feeling that warms the belly and gets you in a bedtime mood.
What are the benefits of drinking Horlicks?
Horlicks can be a useful sleep aid, but it is also packed with nutrients that have multiple benefits. 👇
Great for the immune system
Horlicks is full of nutrients that are essential for a strong immune system.
Vitamins such as B6, C, and D as well as zinc play a crucial role in maintaining your body's defences.
Vitamin B6 [3] is vital for healthy red blood cells and immunity, while Vitamin D [4] ensures the effective absorption of calcium and phosphorus, supporting muscle function and immune health.
Horlicks also contains iron [5], which contributes to producing healthy red blood cells, further bolstering your immune system against fatigue.
Supports bone health
The rich mineral content (including calcium [6]) in Horlicks is fundamental to developing and maintaining strong bones. 🦴
Vitamin D enhances the body's absorption of these minerals, making it a valuable drink for anyone looking to bolster their bone density and overall health.
Ideal for pregnancy
The gentle formula of Horlicks makes it an ideal drink for expectant mothers.
Its rich vitamin and mineral contents support the nutritional needs of both the mother and the developing baby. 🤰
It contains folic acid [7], a key vitamin during pregnancy that helps to form the neural tube and prevent major birth defects.
It also helps with digestion, making it a comforting choice for mothers-to-be struggling with digestive issues.
Supports children's growth and development
Horlicks is clinically proven [8] to support children's growth and development.
It contains a blend of vital micronutrients that contribute to developing stronger bones and helping children grow. ⬆️
Furthermore, Horlicks can improve concentration and attention, boosting children's educational well-being.
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![Horlicks Malted Milk Drink]()
![Horlicks Malted Milk Drink]()
Horlicks![Horlicks]()
Horlicks Malted Milk DrinkPrice from £ 17.49This 2 kg pack of Horlicks original malted milk drink is packed with nutrients and minerals to promote relaxation.This 2 kg pack of Horlicks original malted milk drink is packed with nutrients and minerals to promote relaxation.Price from £ 17.49
Does Horlicks have any side effects?
Enjoying Horlicks comes with minimal risk of adverse effects.
Yet, it's important to consume it in moderation.
Overindulgence may result in nausea or a rise in blood pressure for some individuals.
It’s also high in sugar and carbohydrates, too much of which isn’t good for you.
Everyone's body reacts uniquely to different foods and beverages, and you should speak to your GP if you experience any adverse side effects or if you have specific dietary requirements.
We suggest limiting yourself to one cup daily for a more balanced approach. 🍵
Vegans and those who are lactose intolerant may also want to avoid the Original Horlicks.
However, a Vegan Horlicks option is available, which can be combined with vegan milk.
Alternatives to drinking Horlicks before bed
Horlicks is essentially malted milk, and there are some other malted milk brands to consider.
The most popular alternative is Ovaltine.
However, Horlicks contains slightly less sugar than Ovaltine.
You may also find cheaper alternatives at your local supermarket, such as Asda’s Instant Malt drink.
But we recommend the original Horlicks brand to get all the nutritional benefits of this malted milk beverage. 🐄
You can also consider some other drinks that have been proven to help with sleep:
- Cherry juice: Studies [9] show cherry juice can increase the natural hormone melatonin and induce sleep.
- Valerian tea: It’s often used to aid in sleep and reduce insomnia [10] but isn’t recommended for pregnancy.
- Warm milk: If you’re not keen on the taste of malted milk, try regular warm milk containing the amino acid tryptophan [11], which naturally converts into melatonin to aid in regulating sleep.
- Chamomile tea: This is a soothing herbal tea that promotes relaxation and induces sedation [12]. Other herbal teas, such as peppermint, may also help with relaxation.
- Hot chocolate: Those with a sweet tooth may find hot chocolate or hot cocoa to be a relaxing, sleep-inducing alternative.
If you’re not a fan of hot drinks, try drinking banana smoothies or coconut water in the evening as another healthy, sleep-inducing alternative.
Is it bad to drink water before bed?
Drinking water before bed can keep you hydrated and help you attain your ideal body temperature.
However, drinking too much may cause you to need the bathroom at night, disrupting your sleep cycle.
But keeping a glass of water by your bedside or drinking a cosy drink an hour or two before bed shouldn’t be too much of a problem.
Should you drink apple cider vinegar or baking soda before bed?
Some health aficionados claim that drinking apple cider or baking soda before bed has great health, weight-loss, and sleep-inducing benefits.
Find out more in our guides on drinking apple cider vinegar before bed and drinking baking soda before bed.
Does Horlicks really help you sleep?
While Horlicks doesn't directly induce sleep, this milky drink contains a comforting blend of vitamins and minerals that may promote relaxation in your quest for better sleep quality.
Consider a warm mug of Horlicks as part of your evening unwinding process for a better night’s sleep.
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![Horlicks Malted Milk Drink]()
![Horlicks Malted Milk Drink]()
Horlicks![Horlicks]()
Horlicks Malted Milk DrinkPrice from £ 17.49This 2 kg pack of Horlicks original malted milk drink is packed with nutrients and minerals to promote relaxation.This 2 kg pack of Horlicks original malted milk drink is packed with nutrients and minerals to promote relaxation.Price from £ 17.49
Frequently asked questions
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Why does Horlicks help you sleep?
Horlicks does not contain any ingredients that promote drowsiness but instead promotes a feeling of relaxation, which can help you get a good night’s sleep.
Pairing a warm drink like Horlicks with good sleep hygiene can encourage you to wind down for the evening and feel relaxed for bed.
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Does Chocolate Horlicks help you sleep?
Similar to the Original Horlicks, Chocolate Horlicks has no sedative benefits.
But it contains many nutritional benefits, which can promote a relaxing evening routine.
You can purchase Chocolate Horlicks or combine Horlicks with hot chocolate for an additional flavour boost.
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Is it healthy to drink Horlicks?
Horlicks is packed with nutrients that can have many health benefits.
Horlicks can promote immunity, support bone health, and aid in pregnancy, illness and children’s development.
However, Horlicks is high in sugar and carbohydrates, so we recommend limiting consumption to one cup a day.
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How to make Horlicks
Add 3 - 4 teaspoons of Horlicks into your favourite mug with 200ml of hot milk and stir.
You can also add hot chocolate, marshmallows, honey, or maple syrup for an even more intense flavour.
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Does Horlicks increase blood pressure?
There is mixed advice about whether Horlicks increases or decreases blood pressure.
We recommend speaking with your GP if you have high blood pressure and are worried about the effects of Horlicks.
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What’s in Horlicks that can help you sleep?
Horlick’s main ingredient is malt, but it is also packed with vitamins and minerals that can help to promote relaxation before bed.
It contains protein, B6, B12, C, D, copper, folic acid, iron, selenium, and zinc.
Scroll up to our article to learn more about the different benefits of these vitamins and minerals.
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References
- 1 James Horlick (1844-1921) and William Horlick (1846-1936) - Green and Blue Plaque Scheme - Foresters' Forest - Our Forest, Our Community, The Foresters' Forest
- 2 The impact of tryptophan supplementation on sleep quality: a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression - PubMed
- 3 Vitamins and minerals - B vitamins and folic acid - NHS
- 4 Vitamin D - NHS
- 5 Vitamins and minerals - Iron - NHS
- 6 Vitamins and minerals - Calcium - NHS
- 7 Folic acid: vitamin that helps the body make healthy red blood cells - NHS
- 8 https://www.horlicks.in/kids/horlicks/benefits.html
- 9 Effect of tart cherry juice (Prunus cerasus) on melatonin levels and enhanced sleep quality | European Journal of Nutrition
- 10 Effectiveness of Valerian on insomnia: a meta-analysis of randomized placebo-controlled trials - PubMed
- 11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc6158605/
- 12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/pmc2995283/
Comments
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It’s great that you’re mindful of your nutrition, especially as a pensioner, and Horlicks can definitely be a comforting and nutritious choice. It’s packed with vitamins and minerals like iron, which are essential for maintaining good health as you age. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor or a nutritionist to ensure you’re meeting all your nutritional needs.
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We're so glad to hear that!
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