Goat Milk vs. Cow Milk

Have you ever wondered what all the hype is about goat milk? Or why there seems such a sudden large turn away from cow milk. It seems every day a new alternative milk product winds up in the grocery isles.

So what’s the difference between Goat milk and it’s more traditional American counterpart, cow milk?

The major difference between goat milk vs. cow milk is in terms of digestibility.

Many people today are becoming increasingly aware that cows’ milk may not suit them and have started to seek alternatives that are better suited to the needs of their body.
Nutritionally Goats’ milk is the closest to cows’ milk than other alternatives while having certain physical properties that set it apart, which may impact on digestibility and health¹.

Goats milk is more easily digestible.

Many people who believe they have issues with cow milk can drink goat milk without any problems. Some even believe that their symptoms (such as eczema; asthma; bloatedness; constipation; digestive discomfort) are reduced or go away altogether.

For many, cow milk is completely out of the question. It can be difficult to digest, is high in allergens and high in lactose that can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal tract.

On the other hand goat milk is a nutrient-rich alternative that’s tasty, easy on the gut, and far less inflammatory than regular cow milk. In fact raw goat milk is often recommended for many dairy involved diets such as
Wise Traditions, low-carb and ketosis.

For this reason, it a great option for those with gastrointestinal problems. Goat milk is also more easily tolerated by those with lactose issues and doesn’t cause inflammation the way cow milk can.

In our experience here at Saco River Farms, we have seen many, but not all people, with lactose intolerance be able to safely enjoy goat milk. Goat milk is also a great option for children once they’ve moved past breastfeeding. Why? It contains fewer allergens than cow milk.

Not only is Goat Milk chock-full of vitamins and minerals that your body needs, but it’s also incredibly versatile. You can use goat milk to make healthy cheese, soap, smoothies, skin care products, desserts and more. It’s an easy way to add a simple, nutritious twist to your favorite tried-and-true recipes.

More scientific research is needed to confirm these benefits, but there are a number of studies that have focused on the differences between the two milks.^1,2,3,4,5

References

1 Tomotake H et al (2006). Comparison between Holstein cows’ milk and Japanese-Saanen goat milk in fatty acid composition, lipid digestibility and protein profile. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 70: 2771-2774

2 Attaie R and Richter RL (2000). Size distribution of fat globules in goat milk. J Dairy Sci 83: 940-944

3. Alférez MJ et al (2001). Digestive utilisation of goat and cow milk fat in malabsorption syndrome. J Dairy Res 68: 451-61

4. Almaas H et al (2006). In vitro digestion of bovine and caprine milk by human gastric and duodenal enzymes. Int Dairy J 16: 961-968

5. Tripaldi C et al (1998). Content of taurine and other free amino acids in milk of goats bred in Italy. Small Rumin Res 30: 127-36

6. Jirillo F, Magrone T et al (2014) Anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic properties of donkey’s and goat’s milk.