Health Benefits of Goat Milk And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Aug 27, 2020
Goat milk is slowly getting popular all over the world. It contains many health benefits and is rich in nutrients. Even people who are lactose intolerant can consume goat milk easily and digest it without any issues.
Goat Milk
Goat milk is one of the most consumed milk drinks in the world thanks of its taste and health benefits. But in terms of availability, goats produce only 2% of the world milk supply. Goat milk is cheaper because it does not require homogenization. It is an ideal food and is high in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. It is even more preferable than cow’s milk around the world.
Nutritional Value of Goat Milk
Due to impressive health benefits, goat milk has become quite popular in recent years. Let check out nutritional composition of goat milk. It is full of nutrients, and contains carbohydrates, proteins, sugars and sodium etc.
Goat milk also has minerals, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, copper and zinc. Furthermore, Goat milk contains vitamins, such as vitamin A, B and C.
Nutritional facts Per 100 grams
Goat Milk Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Goat Milk
Goat milk for digestive system
The fat content in goat’s milk and that of a cow are similar, but in goat’s milk the globules of fat are smaller than cow’s milk, and hence it is easier to digest
Turns into curd lesser
After reaching your stomach the goat milk turns into curd which is softer than the curd formed of cow’s milk. 10 percent of cow milk is curd, while in comparison only 2 percent of goat’s milk turns to curd and helps your body to digest it leaving less irritation as compared to cow’s milk
Goat Milk Acts as Lactose Intolerant
Goat’s milk is also low in milk sugar or lactose, than cow’s milk. As many people aren’t lactose intolerant or have trouble in digesting cow’s milk, they are not allergic to lactose. Here, goat’s milk is a viable option for them
Goat Milk have A2 protein
The goat’s milk mostly contains ‘A2 casein’ which makes it comparable to human breast milk in terms of protein. A2 casein does not cause any inflammatory diseases, such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome etc. A study even states that when babies are fed with goat’s milk as the first protein after breast feeding, they are less allergic as when compared with cow’s milk feeding
Goat Milk Prevents asteriosclerosis
Goat milk helps to prevent arteriosclerosis. This is because it contains a limited amount of the enzyme, xanthine oxidase. This enzyme is believed to cause heart issues on entering the bloodstream. Goat’s milk contains this n very less quantity and hence can prevent arteriosclerosis
Goat Milk prevents allergic reactions
Goat milk is less allergic than cow’s milk. Cow’s milk is the number one cause of allergy among children and can persist throughout adulthood. This is because of the 20 different allergens that cause allergic reactions
Goat milk calcium content
Usually people think of cow’s milk as the most healthy and calcium-rich food. But one should not worry about calcium while you are switching to goat’s milk. It consists of more minerals than cow’s milk i.e. 33% of the daily recommended value. Cow’s milk has 28%)
Goat milk fatty acid composition
Goat’s milk also contains medium-chain fatty acids (30–35% in comparison to 15–20% in cow’s milk). These acids offer energy boosts and are not stored as fat in the body. These help to decrease cholesterol and treat tough conditions, such as intestinal disorders and coronary diseases.
Goat milk for bad cholesterol levels
Goat’s milk decreases bad cholesterol and increases the level of good cholesterol in the human body. It has healing properties and just like olive oil, are effective in keeping high cholesterol under check
Goat Milk act as metabolic agent
Goat’s milk is a good metabolic agent. It can metabolise copper and iron too. For people with digestion and constipation problems, you can gain great benefits by consuming goat’s milk. It also helps relieve bloating sensation which people usually feel.
Goat milk benefits for skin
The triglycerides and fatty acids in goat’s milk not only help you keep the insides running smoothly but also enhance your outer appearance. The moisturizing qualities of goat’s milk keep the skin soft like a baby.
Goat’s milk contains high levels of vitamin A that can help to fight acne, improve complexion and thus improve the overall health of your skin. Girls can consume it as one of the best home remedies for acne and pimples.
The lactic acid in the goat milk can brighten your skin tone by removing the dead skin cells; so no more dull and pasty face! As goat’s milk contain the same pH level as humans, it is easily absorbed by the skin and helps to remove the bacteria that keep your skin healthy
Goat Milk prevents anaemia
Cow and goat’s milk may rank similar in mineral content but goat’s milk is still the winner. Researchers suggest that goat’s milk must be consumed regularly in case one is suffering from anaemia, mal-absorption issues or osteoporosis.
Studies have found that nutrients in goat’s milk, such as calcium, iron, magnesium and phosphorous were easily digested and used by the body in comparison to cow’s milk. Because of the bioavailability of these minerals, goat’s milk is promising in the treatment of nutritional deficiencies, such as bone demineralization.
Goat milk also can fix iron and magnesium deficiency. Regular consumption of goat’s milk helps one to enhance their body’s ability to use iron. Goat milk also helps to boost the regeneration of hemoglobin, making it a safe and natural way to treat osteoporosis and combat anemia. Its high levels of zinc and selenium also help prevent neurodegenerative diseases
Uses of Goat Milk
You have several options for attaining maximum goat milk benefits. It is recommended that one should drink raw goat milk. You can usually buy it from your local farmers’ market or health food stores. Similar to raw milk benefits from a cow, when one drinks raw goat milk, he or she can attain most benefits of this nutritious drink.
If you are unable to find raw goat milk in your area, there are other options available, mainly in fermented products. Further, goat’s milk can help to build bone density, boost your body’s immunity against diseases, and protect against allergies. It even improves lactose intolerance. Further, if liquid goat milk isn’t your thing, fermented goat milk yogurt might be a good substitute. The probiotic benefits present in goat milk yogurt help support healthy digestion, lower your risk of diabetes, support weight, prevent fat loss and reduce high blood pressure.
Try it with fruit or granola for a healthy breakfast or snack. Soft or raw goat cheese is also packed with probiotics and is available everywhere. You can just spread it on a cracker or eat it solo to get all the health benefits of goat milk. If you are nervous about the flavour when drinking it straight, start with chilled goat milk, which contains a less pronounced ‘goaty’ flavour. When you are ready to start using goat’s milk in your favorite recipes, there are a few things to keep in mind.
Goat milk can essentially be used as a replacement for cow milk in any recipe. However, when it’s heated or processed in any way, there is a distinct goaty flavour. Those who are long-time fans of the milk might not mind, but it could be a turnoff for a newbie. Goat’s milk is especially tasty in dessert recipes as it gives your favorite sweets a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s also great in smoothies; combine your favorite fruits and leafy greens and throw in a dash of goat’s milk and blend it.
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Goat Milk Side-Effects & Allergies
Everything in the world has good as well as bad effects. There are some cons for goat milk also. It is not recommended to immediately give your children goat’s milk once they stop breast feeding.
As they grow older, the nutrient composition of goat milk becomes appropriate, but for proper development, it is wise to begin with cow’s milk. Because it’s not as common, goat’s milk can be substantially more expensive than cow’s milk, causing a hole in your pocket.
Raw goat milk, which is the best for you, can be difficult to find outside of health food stores and farmers’ markets. The taste and smell might not also be pleasing to everyone, particularly those raised with cow’s milk.
Origin And Cultivation of Goat Milk
Goats have been used as a dairy animal for a very long time. In fact, both Goats and Dogs were one of the first animals to be tamed as per the Bible. It has also been discussed in the Greek mythicism that baby Zeus drank milk from the breasts of the goat nymph Amalthea.
Goat farming is commercially very famous in India. It is a very profitable business option as there is a huge demand for goat milk in the market. About 25 percent of the total livestock of goats is present in India. Jamunapari Goat is the native Indian breed of Goat that has the highest capacity for milk production.
References
- Clark S, García MB. A 100-year review: Advances in goat milk research. Journal of dairy science. 2017 Dec 1;100(12):10026-44 [Cited 19 June 2019]. Available from:
- McCullough FS. Nutritional evaluation of goat’s milk. British Food Journal. 2003 May 1;105(4/5):239-51 [Cited 19 June 2019]. Available from:
- López-Aliaga I, Díaz-Castro J, Alférez MJ, Barrionuevo M, Campos MS. A review of the nutritional and health aspects of goat milk in cases of intestinal resection. Dairy science & technology. 2010 Sep 1;90(6):611-22 [Cited 19 June 2019]. Available from:
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