Scientific Health Benefits of Drinking Goat's Milk



Wonderful Goat Milk Benefits For Health & Side Effects

We explain the reasons that make this delicious beverage good for your health.

Wonderful Goat Milk Benefits For Health

Goat milk benefits may sway you to choose it over cow or buffalo milk. Natural homogenization also makes it easier to digest than many other milk types. Goat milk contains more calcium and vitamins A and B6 than cow milk (1). It promotes heart and bone health, reduces inflammation, may relieve anxiety, and helps prevent anemia.

This article discusses the benefits of goat milk, its nutritional profile, and any potential side effects. Take a look.

protip_iconKnow Your Ingredient: Goat Milk

What Is It?

Goat milk is the milk produced by a domesticated goat and is considered very nutritious.

What Are Its Benefits?

Goat milk is easily digestible and helps promote a healthy heart, and strong bones, and boosts metabolic utilization of minerals.

Who Can Consume It?

It is safe for most people to consume unless they are lactose-intolerant.

How Often?

You can consume it daily but in moderation.

Caution

It is better to consume it after boiling to avoid any unwanted infection.

Legend has it that Cleopatra, the Queen of Egypt from 51 BC to 30 BC, regularly bathed in goat milk for soft, supple, and radiant skin.

What Are The Benefits Of Goat Milk?

Goat milk is easily digestible than most other animal forms of milk. Some evidence suggests that it may treat inflammation and strengthen bones better than cow milk.

1. Is Easily Digestible

Goat milk is easily digestible Save

The fat globules in goat milk are smaller, and this is probably one reason goat milk is easier to digest.

Reports point out the value of goat milk in the treatment of intestinal troubles, thanks to its ease of digestion. The milk’s buffer capacity and the physical character of the curd formed by the coagulation of the milk are also believed to be important factors in its digestibility.

In another study, the mechanism of protein digestion in goat milk infant formula was found to be more comparable to human milk (than that of the cow milk formula.

Though goat milk is more easily digestible than cow milk, both contain about the same amount of lactose. Some people believe goat milk has very little lactose, but this is not true. If you are lactose intolerant, you may want to check with your doctor before consuming goat milk.

2. May Promote Heart Health

Goat milk is a good source of magnesium, a mineral beneficial for the heart. Magnesium helps maintain a regular heartbeat and prevents the formation of blood clots and increased cholesterol levels. Magnesium also works with vitamin D, which is another nutrient crucial for heart health.

Goat milk was found to contain more magnesium than cow milk or buffalo milk. However, the data on indigenous goat milk is scanty. Certain indigenous types of goat milk were found to have lower calcium when compared with buffalo milk.

In rat studies, intake of goat milk was found to reduce plasma triglyceridei concentration.

3. May Help Fight Inflammation

Goat milk may help reduce intestinal inflammation Save

Studies show that goat milk (and donkey milk) can be recommended as a dietary supplement for individuals with allergic and inflammatory conditions. The milk has been shown to trigger innate and adaptive immune responses in the human body.

In rat studies, goat milk oligosaccharidesi exhibited anti-inflammatory effects in cases of colitis. Hence, the milk may be useful in the management of inflammatory bowel disease.

In another rat study, the goat milk oligosaccharides reduced intestinal inflammation and contributed to the recovery of damaged colonic mucosa.

4. May Strengthen Bones

Administration of 400 ml of goat milk was found to have a positive impact on bone metabolism. This, when combined with therapy, could also help prevent osteoporosisi in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

In rats, a particular protein in goat milk (CSN1S2) was found to improve the formation of the femoral bone. The milk was more effective than goat yogurt.

In animals fed goat milk, the process of stabilization of bone turnover seemed to start much earlier. This was found to be especially true in the case of iron deficiency, which may impair bone turnover.

Best Foods For Building Strong Bones And Muscles

Could Be A Good Metabolic Agent

Goat milk may boost metabolism Save

Goat milk is an excellent metabolic agent as it boosts the metabolic utilization of minerals like calcium and iron. However, studies in humans are still required to confirm the purported metabolic effects of goat milk (13).

Additionally, it has A2 beta-casein, which is far healthier than A1 beta-casein that cow milk contains. A2 beta-casein is considered the safer variant of beta-casein, while its A1 counterpart has been one of the risk factors for diabetes and ischemic heart disease.

In mice studies, goat milk was also found to be less allergenic than cow milk when given after the breastfeeding period. We need more studies to clarify if goat milk is suitable as an alternative to cow milk in milk-based formulas for infant nutrition.

Best Metabolism Boosting Foods You Must Add To Your Diet

May Help Relieve Anxiety

Rat studies show that the conjugated linoleic acid in goat milk may influence brain development (and physical development). In these studies, the administration of goat milk was also found to reduce anxiety

May Assist In Anemia Treatment

Goat milk may help in the treatment of anemia 

Though goat milk doesn’t often appear in television commercials, it sure does seem like a healthier alternative milk option. The most popular type of milk is cow milk, and we are sure you would have grown up consuming it.

Both types of milk have similar amounts of lactose. While 100 grams of goat milk has 4.1 grams of lactose, the same amount of cow milk has 4.6 grams of lactose (18).

Goat milk also enhances the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients from foods. The milk has a beneficial effect over cow milk in terms of the absorption of copper and iron in rats with malabsorption syndrome.

Does Goat Milk Have Any Side Effects?

Goat milk may cause an allergic reaction Save

The only major side effect of goat milk studied by science is an allergy. Goat milk allergy, which is usually not associated with cow milk, is a rare disorder. This allergy could be attributed to the casein protein in the milk (20).

Goat milk allergy seems to affect older children and appears later. The allergy requires strict avoidance of goat milk and other milk-derived products as the reactions could be severe. Minimal doses of goat milk or milk products can cause reactions.

Infographic: Goat Milk Caramel Sauce (Cajeta) Recipe

From promoting heart health to helping treat anxiety, goat milk has several health benefits. Since it is highly digestible, you can include goat milk in your daily diet without any worries. You can prepare cheese and yogurt or even drink a glass of goat milk daily for good health. Here, we have an interesting recipe for a Mexican sauce made with goat milk that will be a healthy addition to your diet.

Check out the infographic to learn how to prepare Cajeta or Mexican goat milk caramel sauce.

goat milk caramel sauce (cajeta) recipe 

Goat milk is delicious animal nutritional profile. It is easily digestible and is considered the best alternative to cow milk. There are many health benefits of goat milk, such as promoting heart health, improving the immune system, helping fight inflammation, strengthening bones, relieving anxiety, and treating anemia. However, it may also cause side effects in some people. Goat milk may cause allergies due to its casein protein content. Hence, avoid consuming goat milk if you are allergic to casein.

What is the difference between fresh goat milk and powdered goat milk?

Powdered goat milk is a manufactured product that is made by evaporating the milk to dryness. Though it may not be as beneficial as fresh organic goat milk, powdered goat milk sure does have a longer shelf life.

Can we drink raw goat milk?

Raw milk is basically milk that hasn’t been pasteurized to kill the harmful bacteria. It might cause problems. Hence, it is safe not to drink raw milk as it is.

Can we use goat milk if we are sensitive to cow milk?

Not always. Even if you are not allergic to cow milk, you may be allergic to goat milk. However, this disorder is rare (20).

Does goat milk make you gain weight?

Some research shows that goat dairy may have a moderately higher appetite-suppressing potential when compared to cow dairy. Though this may seem like goat milk may help in weight loss (and not make you gain weight), there is no direct research to state soDoes goat milk have estrogen?

All milk, including goat milk, contains small amounts of various hormones, including estrogen.Is goat milk safe for babies?

Some research shows that goat milk formula may have strong prebiotic and anti-infection properties, which may protect infants against gastrointestinal infections.However, more research is warranted, especially with respect to goat milk (and not the formula).

Is goat milk good for skin? Would goat milk soap help?

There is no research stating that goat milk can benefit the skin. However, certain proponents of goat milk promote goat milk soap for skin health. Though anecdotal evidence suggests that goat milk soap could help treat acne, eczema, and dry skin, there is no research to support this.

Is goat’s milk good for diabetes?

Yes, the consumption of goat milk may considerably enhance glucose tolerance which may slow down the development and progress of type 2 diabetes (24).

Is goat milk good for fatty liver?

Animal studies suggest that goat’s milk contains liver-protecting properties that may regulate bile secretion and help protect the liver against injury.