Lets have a look at what goat milk brings to the table…
Weather you’re drinking it, eating it or using it on the skin, there’s much to learn about the benefits of goat milk. Here we look at consuming this amazing liquid.
Check out my other post on the benefits of goat milk soap here…Goat Milk Soap & Why its so damn good.
I’ll try not to nerd out too much below, but it’s so interesting…
Goat milk is a great source of vitamins and minerals like calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin and many more. It’s also rich in fatty acids (check them out for massive health benefits).
While goat milk is gaining popularity in Australia, goat milk is one of the most consumed milk drinks in the rest of the world. And it’s easy to see why drinking goat’s milk is so popular.
Drinking goat milk is easier to digest as the fat globules are smaller (think goats cheese vs cow cheese). Only 2% of goat milk is curd compared to about 10% in cow milk. This allows your body to digest without the irritation that can be caused by cow milk.
I have heard many stories of people who themselves cannot tolerate cow milk and they made the switch to goat milk, Mums raising their kids on goat milk. And many more stories.
But why?
Well, most people who are intolerant of cow milk are actually sensitive to one of the proteins found in it, A1 Casein, and lack the ability to digest it. Additionally, cow milk is the No.1 allergy among children and can persist throughout adulthood. This is because not only the A1 allergen but there is more than 20 different allergens that can cause allergic reactions.
Without going into too much detail about cow milk, (after all we are here for the goats!)
the A1 Casein is highly inflammatory and can contribute to gastrointestinal issues, and some allergies can be downright painful, ranging from hives, and runny noses, to abdominal cramping and colic in babies.
So… then we look at goat milk. Here comes the saviour!!
Goat Milk contains only A2 casein. That makes it, protein-wise, the closest milk to human breast milk.
High in calcium.
We all have heard the stories and the push to drink milk to give us the calcium we all need. But don’t worry, goat milk has it covered too.
It’s actually richer in Calcium! Goat milk contains about 33 % of the daily recommended value in one cup compared to only 28% in cow milk.
Calcium is essential for many aspects of health. But the number one reason we need it is for our bones. In fact, 99% of calcium in your body is found in the bones and teeth. It helps boost bone mass and provides the tissue with its strength to maximise bone strength.
Vitamin A
Goat milk is also an excellent source of vitamin A. Studies show that consuming enough vitamin A can help reduce your risk of cataracts, certain forms of cancer, and even help children fight off measles.
Lets bring down cholesterol
One of the top goat milk benefits is the therapeutic effects on our heart health. This is because goat milk has high levels, 30-35% of medium-chain fatty acids as opposed to 15-20% in cows milk.
Instead of being stored as body fat, these fatty acids provide an energy boost to help lower cholesterol. They can even help treat conditions like coronary heart disease and intestinal disorders.
Goat milk also helps increase the ‘good’ Cholesterol levels while reducing the bad ones. In fact, it has similar healing properties to Olive oil and is recommended for keeping high cholesterol in check.
What else could it possibly do?
How about it enhances nutrient absorption.
With all the good minerals found in goat milk, the nutrients like iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus were more easily digested and used by the body in goat milk rather than cow milk.
Because of the bioavailability of these minerals, it has been used to treat some nutritional deficiencies like anaemia and bone demineralization. It’s also very well used to treat the all -too-common Iron deficiency and magnesium deficiency as well.
In fact, some researchers suggest that goat milk should be consumed regularly by individuals with malabsorption issues, anaemia, osteoporosis and prolonged treatments with iron supplements.
Regularly consuming goat milk enhances the body’s ability to use iron. It also boosts regeneration of haemoglobin. Combined, this makes goat milk the safe and natural way to treat many ailments.
So what about the skin?
So I’ll explain more about the benefits of soap made with goat milk HERE!
What goat milk does for the skin when we consume it?
Well the fatty acids and triglycerides that are found in goat milk will not only keep everything running smoothly on the inside but they can help you look great on the outside too. Their moisturising qualities help to keep the skin baby soft.
Goat milk has high levels of Vitamin A. Studies indicate that Vitamin A can improve your complexion, fight acne, and improve overall skin health. Meanwhile the Lactic Acid found in goat milk, helps rid your body of dead skin cells and promotes skin smoothness and thickness.
Because the pH level in goat milk is similar to human pH, its absorbed by the skin with less irritation and also helps keep bacteria at bay. For this reason, many people often add goat milk to their natural skin care routines.
If you’re ready to add goat milk to your family’s diet, you have several options.
To really maximise the health benefits, you can try raw goat milk.
You might have to do some hunting around for it though. Try the local farmers market, any goat farmers or dairy might sell direct to the consumer. You won’t find raw unpasteurised goat milk at the supermarket. The Australian laws state that all milk must be pasteurised. But with pasteurising, you kill off all the good along with the bad bacteria. 🙁
If you can’t get raw goat milk in your area, there are plenty of other options.
Chat with your local health food shop or chemist for alternatives.
You can also try Goat milk Kefir. This is a fermented drink that increases the good bacteria to keep you healthy and support nutrient absorption in the gut.
The probiotics found in this milk drink can help improve intestinal health, enhance immune function, prevent diarrhoea and manage cholesterol levels.
You can also try goat milk yogurt. The probiotic benefits may help to support healthy digestions, lower your risk of diabetes, support weight loss and reduce high blood pressure. Try it with fruit or granola for a healthy breakfast or snack.
Goat cheeses are also another option, packed with probiotics and available around the country. The options are endless with goat cheese. My fave, Goat cheese and beetroot. Yummo.
So.. how do you make the switch?
Goat milk is available at most supermarkets and health food shops
(although always pasteurised, it’s still full of goodness).
If you’re nervous about the flavour, start incorporating your goat milk with other flavours.
(The best way to start goat milk, I think, is in chilled smoothies.)
When you’re ready to start using goat milk in your recipes, there are a few things to keep in mind. Basically you can substitute for cow milk. However, when it’s heated there can be a distinct “goat milk“ flavour. Those who are long-time fans of goat milk might not mind, but it can be a turn off for the newbies.
Goat milk is especially tasty in desert recipes. It gives your favourite sweets a creamy, melt in the mouth texture.
Ok so onto the not so good stuff..
Side effects.
Although goat milk can be super healthy and nutritious, there are disadvantages that should be considered as well.
One of the side effects include digestive issues like gas or bloating, this is because goat milk does contain a small amount of lactose. Although its much lower than cow milk or other dairy products, it may still cause an issue for those with a severe intolerance to lactose.
As always, its best to start with a low amount and increase your intake slowly, to assess your tolerance.