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We thank Sharma [1] for their careful reading of our article [2] and for their thoughtful comments. We agree that milk composition differs depending on the source, whether plant- or animal-based, and that this composition varies, especially regarding fat content. Animal-based full-fat milk (3.5% fat) has the highest caloric content, at around 70 kcal per 100 ml. The consensus recommendation was for milk to account for only up to one-fifth of the beverage's volume. The caloric content of this drink would be 14 kcal per 100 ml, which is less than the caloric content of most carbonated drinks; for example, Lucozade (50 kcal per 100 ml, Suntory Holdings Ltd, Osaka, Japan) or pre-operative carbohydrate drinks; for example, Nutricia preOp (50 kcal per 100 ml, Nutricia Ltd, Trowbridge, UK). Receptors in the small intestine regulate gastric emptying at a rate of around 200 kcal.h-1, thereby preventing the intestine from receiving more nutrients than it can absorb. Therefore, the rate of gastric emptying of liquids depends mainly on their total caloric content. Correspondingly, Oktabe et al. showed that, of 500 ml of diluted milk (330 ml of non-human milk and 170 ml of water, totaling 220 kcal in 500 ml), 90% was emptied from the stomach within 1 h; similar to isocaloric drinks that only contain carbohydrates [3]. Ultrasound studies comparing tea with and without full-fat milk did not show any significant difference or delay in gastric emptying in healthy individuals or women who were pregnant [4, 5]. Therefore, we believe that the addition of milk to coffee or tea is safe within the recommended amount. Whilst we recognise that the recommendation of up to one-fifth of the volume of tea or coffee might be difficult to quantify practically by most patients, the concept is reasonably clear. Furthermore, this volume of animal-based milk appears safe when presented as full-fat milk (3.5%) and thus any less concentrated preparations such as toned (3%), double-toned (1–1.5%) and skimmed (< 0.5%) milk would also be acceptable.