Trying to Quit Smoking? Drink a Glass of Milk

It’s long been said that milk “does a body good”, but according to new research from Duke University, it can also help you out if you’re trying to quit smoking.

For those addicted to smoking, nicotine is not the only factor of the addiction. The taste, smell, and ‘hand to mouth’ habits that are formed during the course of a smokers life are equally as addicting, and cause as many problems when trying to quit smoking. These problems have long gone unaddressed in common quit smoking methods, since they commonly only attack the addiction to nicotine.

F. Joseph McClernon, PhD, a Duke University psychologist, underwent a series of studies which addressed the sensory issues which can attribute to a smokers addiction and has uncovered some amazing discoveries. These discoveries, when combined with methods which fight nicotine addiction, are of great benefit for those who are ready to quit smoking.

As part of the research, 209 smokers were asked to list foods or drinks which they felt lessened or increased their smoking sensations. From this complied list, it was noted that the majority of smokers listed that drinking milk decreased the pleasure they experienced from smoking a cigarette, while adversely, alcohol increased the pleasure sensations and often made smokers want to smoke even more.

About 70% of the smokers that were questioned also listed other foods and drinks which made smoking seem to taste better. These foods and drinks included caffeinated beverages and meat.

Less than half of the participants noted that non-caffeinated beverages such as water and juice, as well as fruits and vegetables, lessened the pleasure associated with smoking.

Menthol smokers that were part of the research noted no notable increase or decrease in smoking taste sensations.

The information in this new research can be put to good use if you are in the process of trying to quit smoking. For most of those trying to kick the habit, often it’s not enough to attack the source of the nicotine addiction alone. By altering your diet, and avoiding foods and beverages which can promote the desire to smoke, you can increase the success rate of being able to quit smoking.

So, if you’re ready to quit smoking, then grab yourself a glass of milk and a carrot stick. Not only will you satisfy the sensory addictions caused from smoking, but you’ll also get a few extra vitamins along the way!