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Goats Milk: Is it a Better Choice to Cows Milk?

Submitted by Stella Morgan on November 19, 2010

Goat Milk Vs Cow Milk

Milk is a staple food in many diets across the world. From the time we are born, we rely on milk as an important source of nutrition. Mother’s milk is usually perfectly suited to the baby as it contains all the nutrients that are required in the first weeks and months of life. After this stage, the baby is usually given other foods and gradually weaned off mother’s milk. Most cultures globally continue to use milk in their diets.


Unfortunately, lactose intolerance is a common problem which may prevent certain individuals from consuming dairy products. This problem is generally caused when a person’s body stops developing enzymes that are used to break down milk. This means that the body is then incapable of processing the lactose present in milk.


The individual will therefore suffer from gas and, in some cases, diarrhea after consuming milk.

The argument these days is related to which type of milk an individual must consume. Goat milk and cow milk are the two most commonly consumed types of milk in the world.


In some countries, there is an almost exclusive preference for cow milk whereas other places may rely entirely on goat milk. Modern health standards have led to a situation where most commercially available milk has been processed in some way or another.

Pasteurization is now required by law in most countries when dealing with commercially produced milk.


Many dieticians say that this leads to a reduction in the usefulness of the milk in terms of its enzyme content. Enzymes present in milk are useful as they help in the process of digestion. Another aspect of milk processing is the different additives and chemicals that may be introduced into the process. In many cases, packaged milk has been converted into powder before being reconstituted as liquid milk. Most off-the-shelf milk brands are also modified to suit the exact requirement of the customer in terms of their fat content. All these changes alter the natural goodness and chemical structure of the milk which is potentially problematic.

When comparing goat milk v/s cow milk, it may be wise to choose goat milk as the option for consumption. Research has found that the protein content in goat milk is similar, in type, to the proteins found in a human woman’s breast milk. This means that the body is more likely to accept goat milk and is therefore in a position to digest it better than cow milk. Goat’s milk is also less likely to contain as many chemicals as cow milk.

When considering the comparison of goat milk v/s cow milk, one should note that in any condition it is better to have naturally produced fresh milk if possible. One can access freshly produced milk in rural areas of most countries. Certain farmer’s markets offer milk that has been freshly collected and this is usually better for people who are capable of digesting milk in the first place. Milk consumed from this source usually needs to be boiled before consumption to ensure that it is safe for human consumption.

Studies are on regarding comparison between cow’s milk and goat’s milk, this comparison is regarding the nutritional value and better absorbency of milk. People with cows milk allergy can find a good alternative in goats milk.

Comparison done regarding cows milk and goats milk shows that :

Goats milk is good in taste than cows milk, and so is the flavor, therefore all those who find cows milk inedible because of the flavor will find goats milk better. Cows milk does not have pre-formed vitamin A, instead goats milk has preformed vitamin A that is easier for the body to absorb and store in body.

Cholesterol is highly important for maintaining health of myelin matter in brain, unlike cows milk goats milk has evolved cholesterol that is absorbed faster and therefore is more beneficial to body and the brain.

Goats milk is easier to digest, because it is milder and close to human milk, whereas cows milk requires more time to digest, therefore, those ailing or having problems in digestion can use goats milk for nutrition.

Goats milk is also said to be excellent for asthmatics and people with allergies, since it does not form phlegm, which is harmful for asthmatics and can trigger asthma. Fat molecules in goats milk are smaller therefore easy for digestion also separation of fat does not happen because of the smaller molecules.

Goats milk can prevent diabetes since it contains more chlorine, fluorine, which are natural germicides necessary for the body for prevention from several diseases and diabetes.

Pro-vitamin A found in goats milk might have cancer prevention properties. People suffering from liver problems can digest goats milk better because of natural homogenization due to small fat molecules. Goats milk is also known to help people cure problems like constipation.

Goats milk is also used as a natural cure for serious ailments like tuberculosis, goats milk is said to have natural antibodies which have the capability of curing tuberculosis, and is freely used as a remedy in third world countries.

Consumption of cows milk generates an acidic reaction, i.e. formation of acids, whereas goats milk forms alkaline reaction which helps digestion faster also helps removal of toxins. Also curd formation is cows milk is higher to 10% and goats milk is lower to only 2%. Goats milk is consumed by almost 72% of population all over the world, in some of the areas where cows milk is difficult to get, goats milk is a staple diet.

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