For many now, cow’s milk is completely out of the question. It’s hard to digest, high in allergens, and loaded with lactose that can wreak havoc on your GI system. Goat’s milk is a nutrient-dense, flavorful, gut-friendly, and much less inflammatory alternative to regular cow’s milk. For these reasons, many dairy-based diets, such as the paleo diet, low-carb diet, and ketosis diet, recommend goat’s milk.
Not only is it packed with the vitamins and minerals your body needs, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can easily use goat milk to make healthy cheese, soap, smoothies, skin care products, desserts, and more. It’s a great way to add a simple, nutritious twist to your favorite time-tested recipes.
What is goat milk?
Goat milk is a type of milk produced by goats. It is rich in many essential nutrients and is a good source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorous, riboflavin, and many more. It is also rich in medium chain fatty acids. Medium chain fatty acids are a type of heart-healthy fat associated with a number of impressive health benefits.
Is goat milk a dairy product?
Like cow’s milk, goat’s milk is technically considered a type of dairy product because it is produced by a mammal. However, it is an excellent alternative to cow’s milk because it is easier to digest, less inflammatory, and lower in allergens than cow’s milk.
Goat Milk Nutrition Facts
Although not very popular in the Western world, goat’s milk is actually one of the most widely consumed dairy drinks in the rest of the world, and for good reason. It tastes great and is packed with nutrients.
One cup (about 244 grams) of goat’s milk contains approximately:
168 calories
10.9 grams of carbohydrates
8.7 grams of protein
10.1 grams of fat
327 milligrams of calcium (33% of the daily value)
271 milligrams of phosphorus (27% of the daily requirement)
0.3 milligrams of riboflavin (20% of daily intake)
498 milligrams of potassium (14% of daily intake)
483 International Units of Vitamin A (10% Daily Value)
34.2 milligrams of magnesium (9% of daily intake)
0.1 milligrams of thiamine (8% of the daily value)
0.8 milligrams of pantothenic acid (8% DV)
29.3 international units of vitamin D (7% of the daily value)
0.1 milligrams of vitamin B6 (6% of the daily value)
0.1 milligrams of copper (6% of the daily value)
3.4 micrograms of selenium (5% of daily intake)
3.2 milligrams of vitamin C (5% of the daily value).
In addition to the nutrients listed above, goat milk also contains a small amount of vitamin B12, niacin, and manganese.
Goat milk health benefits
1. Easier to digest
While the fat content of goat’s milk and cow’s milk is similar, the fat globules in goat’s milk are smaller. Therefore, it is easier for your body to digest. Once in the stomach, the proteins in goat’s milk form a softer curd than in cow’s milk. Only about 2% of goat’s milk curdles, compared to about 10% of cow’s milk. This helps your body digest it with less irritation than cow’s milk. Goat’s milk is also lower in lactose, or milk sugars, than cow’s milk. Since many people are lactose intolerant or have difficulty digesting the lactose in cow’s milk, studies show that goat’s milk may be a viable option.
2. Less allergens and less inflammation
Most people who are intolerant to cow’s milk are actually sensitive to one of the proteins it contains, A1 casein, and lack the ability to digest it. Also, cow’s milk is the number 1 allergy in children and can persist into adulthood. In fact, it contains more than 20 different allergens (including A1 casein) that can cause allergic reactions. Cow’s milk allergy symptoms are often confused with seasonal allergy symptoms. It is easy to understand why. Cow’s milk allergy symptoms can range from hives and runny nose to abdominal cramps and colic in babies. A1 casein is highly inflammatory for some people and can contribute to gastrointestinal problems such as irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn’s disease, leaky gut, and colitis. It can also play a role in a number of less obvious problems, including acne, autoimmune diseases, and skin conditions like eczema.
In contrast, milk containing mostly or exclusively A2 casein does not produce any of these inflammatory effects. Goat milk contains only A2 casein. This makes it, in terms of protein, the closest milk to human breast milk. In fact, one study suggests that goat’s milk, when used as the first protein after nursing, is less allergenic to infants than cow’s milk.
3. High Calcium Content
While cow’s milk is often touted as one of the top foods high in calcium, there’s no need to worry about a lack of calcium when switching to goat’s milk. In fact, it is even richer in this mineral. Goat’s milk contains about 33% of the recommended daily value in a cup, compared to 28% for cow’s milk. Calcium is essential for many aspects of health. It is especially important when it comes to bone health. In fact, more than 99% of the calcium in your body is found in your bones and teeth. Helps build bone mass and gives tissues their strength to maximize bone strength.
4. Helps lower cholesterol levels
One of the main benefits of goat milk for men and women is its beneficial effect on heart health. This is because goat’s milk contains high levels of medium chain fatty acids. In fact, it contains around 30-35% medium chain fatty acids, compared to 15-20% in cow’s milk. Instead of being stored as body fat, these fatty acids provide a boost of energy and help lower cholesterol. Goat milk also helps raise “good” cholesterol levels while lowering the bad. In fact, it has healing properties similar to olive oil and is recommended to control high cholesterol.
5. Radiant skin
The fatty acids and triglycerides found in goat milk not only keep your insides running smoothly, but also help you look great on the outside. Its moisturizing qualities help keep skin baby-soft. Goat milk also contains high levels of vitamin A. Studies indicate that vitamin A can improve complexion, fight acne, and improve overall skin health. Also, the lactic acid present in goat milk helps remove dead cells from the body and promotes smoothness and thickness of the skin. Since goat’s milk has a similar pH to humans, it absorbs through the skin with less irritation and helps keep bacteria at bay. For this reason, many people often add goat milk lotion and goat milk soap to their natural skin care routine.
6. Improves nutrient absorption
Although goat’s milk and cow’s milk rank similarly when it comes to mineral content, goat’s milk could be the winner. In fact, early studies showed that nutrients such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous are more easily digested and utilized in goat’s milk than in cow’s milk. Due to the bioavailability of these minerals, goat milk also shows promise for the treatment of nutritional deficiencies such as anemia and bone demineralization. In addition, it can help remedy the very common iron and magnesium deficiencies. In fact, some researchers suggest that goat’s milk should be consumed regularly by people with malabsorption problems, anemia, osteoporosis, or prolonged treatment with iron supplements. Regular consumption of goat’s milk improves the body’s ability to use iron. It also stimulates the regeneration of hemoglobin. All these elements make goat’s milk a safe and natural way to treat osteoporosis and combat anemia.
So, goat’s milk or cow’s milk?
The biggest difference between goat’s milk and cow’s milk is in digestibility. Goat milk is easier to digest. Therefore, it is an excellent option for people who suffer from gastrointestinal problems. Goat’s milk is also better tolerated by people with lactose problems and doesn’t cause inflammation like cow’s milk can. It is also an excellent option for children who have passed the lactation stage. Why ? Contains fewer allergens than cow’s milk.
However, since it is not as common, goat’s milk can be significantly more expensive than cow’s milk. Also, raw goat’s milk, which is best for you, can be hard to find outside of health food stores and farmers’ markets. Their taste and smell may not appeal to everyone, especially those raised on cow’s milk.
* HealthKey strives to convey health knowledge in a language accessible to all. In NO EVENT can the information provided replace the opinion of a health professional.
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