Dairy Alternatives for Better Health
By Evgenia Profi
Did you know that cow’s milk has high acidity? Sheep and goat milk are better alternatives to dairy products.
Milk is considered one of the main foods in the daily diet with cow’s milk being consumed more than goat’s or sheep’s milk, mainly due to its higher production rate.
However, which type of milk is superior thanks to its nutrients and which should you prefer?
The main advantages of goat’s and sheep’s milk are that they are
- easier to digest, due to their medium-chain fats
- less allergenic than cow’s, due to their small liposome size, and the fact that they contain less lactose
Goat’s milk has more antioxidant and antimicrobial properties and provides a higher amount of carotene, which also gives it protective properties against cancer. It is also useful in the treatment of ulcers, thanks to its more effective ability to regulate pH and is very useful for people with acidity problems because it is alkaline in nature. Goat’s milk can also be used in feeding babies, as it offers a healthy and balanced diet to children with cow’s milk allergy.
Let’s look more closely into our milk options
Fresh sheep’s milk
Milk of high nutritional value which contains more protein and calcium compared to the alternatives. Specifically, it contains almost twice the amount of protein than cow’s milk – 5.98% versus 3.29%. It also has 25% more calcium, and it is rich in phosphorus and linoleic acid, CLA. Its high content in CLA can significantly contribute to the improvement of fat metabolism in the body.
Fresh goat milk
Goat’s milk is a good source of calcium and of the amino acid tryptophan. It also contains high levels of riboflavin (vitamin B2), vitamin C, phosphorus, and potassium. The high content of tryptophan makes it very beneficial. Tryptophan is a component of serotonin, a substance essential for the well-being of the nervous system which can also improve sleep quality. Goat’s milk is also a good alternative for people who have an intolerance to cow’s milk.
Let’s examine some of key nutrients in the three types of milk.
Calcium – Sheep milk has the highest calcium content, second comes goat’s milk and then cow’s milk. Goat dairy products are rich in calcium, with about 33% of the daily recommended intake, versus 28% in cow’s milk.
Protein – By far the richest in protein is sheep’s milk, while goat’s and cow’s milk are similar in content. Protein is essential as it is used by the body to rebuild muscle. Goat milk proteins differ significantly from other milk types, mainly in the amino acid composition of which they are made.
Vitamin D and Selenium – Cow’s milk has the highest content of both ingredients compared to the other two. High levels of zinc and selenium help to prevent neurodegenerative diseases.
Vitamin A – Present in goat and sheep dairy products can improve the skin, fight acne, and improve overall skin health. Lactic acid found in goat’s milk also helps remove dead cells and gives a radiant complexion.
Fat – Less fat is in sheep’s milk, while goat’s and cow’s milk have a similar amount of fat. While the fat content of cow’s and goat’s milk are similar, the fat pellets in goat’s milk are smaller, thereby facilitating digestion. They contain less lactose than cow’s products. Because many people have lactose intolerance or simply have trouble digesting cow’s milk, goat’s milk can be a viable option.
Goat’s milk and sheep’s milk – due to their reduced lactose content – have a chemical structure similar to that of breast milk, making them a good alternative for infants and those with tenderness in the stomach or allergy to cow’s milk. Many experts say goat’s milk is the most valuable milk for the development of children after breastfeeding.
Goat’s milk and sheep’s milk – they are of high biological value and bioavailability and do not cause allergies.
It is also important to note that proteins in both goat and sheep milk are a source of bioactive peptides, which are of particular nutritional value but also of clinical interest because they have a positive effect on the functions of the central systems of the human body: immune, gastrointestinal, nervous, cardiac.
How about goat’s traditional yogurt?
The goat’s traditional yogurt is a natural source of probiotics, such as Lactobacillus casei which derives from fermented goat’s milk. The lactoferrin present in goat yogurt offers significant benefits. It is a protein found in human milk that helps regulate the immune system. Also, niacin, which is present in large quantities in goat yogurt, is involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, providing energy to the body.
The nutrients and minerals found in goat dairy products are better absorbed than those in cow’s milk.
Iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus are more easily digested and used by the body in goat products. In fact, researchers suggest that goat and sheep dairy products should be consumed regularly by people with problems in nutrient absorption, anemia, and osteoporosis.
Recent research into the benefits of goat’s and sheep’s milk for the human body has made them a very popular choice among people who really care about their nutrition.
Which milk do you prefer?
You can get these and other healthy eating tips from our on-site nutritionist at our Fitness Camps.
References
– Healthfully.com, Raw Goat’s Milk for Weight Loss, https://healthfully.com/474073-raw-goats-milk-for-weight-loss.html
– Weed’emAndReap.com, MILK SHOWDOWN: COW VS. SHEEP VS. GOAT – WHICH IS BEST? https://www.weedemandreap.com/milk-showdown-cow-sheep-goat/
– DrAxe.com, Goat Milk Benefits Are Superior to Cow Milk, https://draxe.com/nutrition/article/goat-milk/
– NCBI PubMed.gov, Cow’s milk and goat’s milk, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24029787
– ThoughtCo.com, What is the acidity or pH of milk?, https://www.thoughtco.com/what-is-the-ph-of-milk-603652
– Healthline.com, Benefits of goat milk, https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-goat-milk#1
– Organic Facts.net, 7 Amazing Benefits Of Sheep Milk, https://www.organicfacts.net/sheep-milk.html
– BackyardGoats, Nutritional Differences of Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk, https://backyardgoats.iamcountryside.com/home-dairy/nutritional-differences-of-goat-milk-vs-cow-milk/
