As the milk is derived from goats, rather than the common source of milk in most countries, cows, it may be harder to acquire in some parts of the world. The impressive health benefits of goat milk and the recent research into its positive effects on the human body have made it a very popular choice. Although goats only produce about 2% of the global milk supply, it is cheaper to process because it doesn’t require homogenization (the small fat molecules do not separate and remain suspended in the cream). Certain studies have recommended that goat milk should not be given to very young children, due to their unique nutritional needs in their developmental stages. As we age, the chemical composition and impact of this milk on the body is actually preferable to the effects of cow milk. For example, people who suffer from lactose intolerance, digest goat milk far better than cow milk due to its higher levels of beneficial fatty acids (twice that of cow milk). Goat milk is commonly processed into cheese, butter, ice cream, and yogurt, many of which are considered delicacies due to their high buttermilk content and rich consistency.
While the prevalence of cow milk is not likely to fade in the near future, it is important to understand that there are other options out there. This is not meant to say that cow milk is “bad” for you, but if you’re willing to put in a bit of extra effort to find goat milk, you might be surprised at the beneficial effects you will experience.
Health Benefits Of Goat Milk
The health benefits of goat milk are attributed to its properties that strengthen bones, boost immunity, and much more. Let’s have a detailed look at the most common benefits.
Build Strong Bones
Milk of all varieties is rich in calcium, and goat milk is no exception. In addition, it gives you a comparable amount of calcium as cow milk without many side effects, ensuring that the calcium deposits stay rich and stable while helping prevent osteoporosis.
One reason why people tend to love goat milk is that they are able to enjoy it without the inflammation and upset stomach that cow milk often causes. This is due to the unique enzymatic makeup of goat milk that soothes inflammation in the gut. Research is ongoing to see whether these anti-inflammatory properties extend to other areas of the body, but one thing is for certain, it’s definitely good for your stomach.
Nutrient Uptake Efficiency
One of the main benefits of goat milk is that the chemical composition is far closer to human milk than cow milk. Human milk is similar to goat milk, so our bodies are able to get more nutrients out of the milk as it moves through our system and causes less stress on our digestive processes.
Goat milk is far more nutrient-dense than cow milk, which means that you don’t need as much of it to receive the same (or better) nutrient intake. A single cup provides nearly 40% of our daily calcium requirements, 20% of vitamin B intake, as well as significant amount of potassium and phosphorus. Furthermore, studies have shown that goat milk can help increase the uptake of iron and copper in our digestive tract, which is essential for people who struggle with anemia and other deficiencies.
There are nearly twice as many beneficial fatty acids in goat milk as can be found in cow milk, which means that our cholesterol balance is safe if it is consumed. By balancing our essential fatty acids in the body, we can prevent atherosclerosis, stroke, heart attack, and other coronary complications. The high potassium levels in goat milk also help reduce blood pressure, as potassium is a vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and relieves tension on the cardiovascular system.
Cow milk contains trace amounts of selenium, but there are significant amounts of it in goat milk. This rare mineral is a key component in the immune system functionality, protecting us from illness and fending off infections.
Growth and Development
Goat milk is a very rich source of protein, which is an essential part of growth and development, as proteins are the building blocks of cells, tissues, muscles, and bones. By ensuring a steady stream of protein, we protect our metabolic processes and stimulate growth and overall health.
Although goat milk has more fatty acids than cow milk, it has less bad fat, which means that it can help people lose weight, without compromising on their nutritional needs.
Due to the digestive process of cows, they tend to suffer from extreme flatulence, which comes out in the form of methane. This gas is highly corrosive to the atmosphere and the ozone layer; environmental scholars actually suggest that millions of cows raised for beef and milk are a major player in the ozone degradation and global warming. By supporting goat milk production, we can protect ourselves and the future generation from the dangerous effects of climate change.