What is the difference between goat's milk and cow's milk, what are their benefits?

Which milk is better: goat's or cow's milk? If you ask this question to a local resident of one of the Asian countries, the answer will be in favor of the former. Elsewhere on the planet they will say that cow's is better. Many factors influence the choice. But it is important to understand how goat’s milk differs from cow’s milk.

The amazing properties of this product are described in ancient myths and legends. Its popularity is great in Asian regions and on the Crimean peninsula. Rumor has long attributed many beneficial properties to goat milk. Along with the truth, fiction was also added.

Goat's milk. Differences and benefits

What is the difference between goat's milk and cow's milk in composition? One of the differences of this milk is that there is no allergy to it. What explains this? Just like cow's, it contains caseins. Casein, the alpha-1s form, usually causes dairy allergies, and goats' milk does not contain this substance. Therefore, for those who are allergic to cow's milk, goat's milk is an excellent alternative.

How is goat milk different from cow milk? What is the difference? The fat in the milk that goats give has a fine structure. This means that the fat globules in it are smaller. Therefore, it is very easy to digest.

The reduced content of natural milk sugar (lactose) in this product makes it suitable for consumption without fear for those who cannot digest lactose properly. For the same reason, there is no diarrhea from drinking this milk.

No other food contains such amounts of picrin, as well as thiamine. By the way, the latter is extremely important for human life at any age.

This dairy product contains a high percentage of useful substances, including various minerals, 10 chemical elements, as well as antioxidants. The phosphorus, calcium and salts contained in goat milk are extremely important in the process of formation of bone tissue in a child. A high percentage of potassium content helps the human cardiovascular system to function smoothly.

Goats produce milk, which is also somewhat superior in vitamin content to cow's milk. And vitamin B12, which is responsible for controlling various metabolic processes, the concentration in this milk is 6 times higher than in cow's milk.

Goat's milk increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood. It is also characterized by a high content of sialic acid. This substance belongs to the elements of the structure of the immune system. B vitamins - choline and biotin - help slow down the aging process of the body. Goat milk has a strengthening effect on hair, nails and teeth. Drinking goat's milk helps normalize the functioning of organs such as the lungs, liver and stomach.

Goat's milk is second only to mother's milk in terms of nutritional value and ease of digestion. In particular, this is due to the high content of beta-casein. Therefore, in case of cessation or lack of milk in breastfeeding mothers, goat's milk will be the most suitable replacement or supplement in feeding infants. Of course, this milk will not completely replace mother’s milk, but it can be used in parallel with breastfeeding.

How is fat content determined?

The fat content of goat milk depends on many factors: for different breeds it can vary from three and a half percent to six and a half percent.

In fact, fat content varies depending on the physiological state of the goat. For example, the highest rates appear on the second or third day after the kid is born. Over time, the amount of fat decreases as milk production increases. But when milk production drops over time, its fat content begins to increase again.

Goats that have not been impregnated and have not given birth to kids always produce milk with a very high percentage of fat.

About 300-310 days during the year, the goat undergoes the process of lactation.

• Colostrum is released from four to fifteen days.
• Medium fat milk lasts 275-281 days.
• Attenuation of lactation from five to fifteen days (the so-called “old milk”).

Both colostrum (5.42 percent) and old milk (6.71 percent) are classified as abnormal types in terms of fat content.

The seasonal dependence of fat content, as well as feed dependence, is interesting.

In the spring, when the animal is on green growth and pasture grazing, the fat level drops as milk production increases. In the summer, from the end of June to the end of August, when the grass dries out (or when kept in a stall), the fat content begins to increase, but the milk volume decreases.

Experienced owners know that it is possible to equalize the indicators by regulating feeding: in the spring and early summer, supplement the animals with special concentrated feed, and in the second half of the summer and when keeping them in stalls, add milk feed.

Each goat is individual: its milk production and milk quality also depend on genetic factors, specific metabolism, and previous diseases.

It has been noticed that kids with a harmonious body structure grow into dairy goats. If you buy an adult goat, then pay attention to the shine of the coat, the barrel-shaped body, the elasticity of the udder (it should be pear-shaped, with well-developed nipples).

When lactation ends, the goat must be inseminated in order for milk to appear again.

Non-pedigreed goats give their owners up to three liters of useful product, and purebred dairy goats – up to six.

Good care and proper feeding allow you to adjust both the volume of milk and its fat content. An important factor is the ability to care for the udder, milk the goat correctly, massage and milk three to four times a day. As a rule, during morning milking the raw material is at its fattest.

Goat milk. Disease Control

How is goat milk different from cow milk? According to the ancient physician Avicenna, goat's milk has healing properties. In particular, it helps in the treatment of diseases of the spleen, organs of vision and stomach, as well as diathesis. In Switzerland, goat milk has long been used to treat anemia, rickets and consumption. This product is recommended when bone demineralization occurs. According to Canadian doctors, goat milk has a positive effect on the health of those undergoing treatment for skin diseases and joint diseases. Goat's milk can be successfully used due to its healing properties in the treatment of fibroids, diabetes, tuberculosis, epilepsy in children, as well as to get rid of gallstones. This product also helps to quickly restore the body’s strength after serious illnesses. Experts from the USA express the opinion that, based on the philological needs of the human body, goat's milk is more suitable for consumption than cow's milk.

External use of this product is also useful. Regular washing with it helps get rid of acne in adolescence. Goat's milk is the basis of homemade cosmetics.

Comparison of composition

Energy value of nutrients per 1 liter.

As can be seen from the table, goat's milk is richer in composition than cow's milk.

Goat milk and cooking

In terms of culinary use, goat's milk does not lag behind cow's milk. The list of products made from it includes:

• kefir;
• curdled milk;
• sour cream;
• yogurt;
• different types of cheese.

It is known that many types of Swiss cheese are made from a mixture of cow and goat milk. And in the south of France and in many other regions, cheeses are made exclusively from goat cheese.

How is goat's milk different from cow's milk? Storage method. At room temperature, goat's milk does not sour. It does not lose its beneficial properties even within three days. It can be kept in the refrigerator for about a week, and whey made from goat's milk can last up to two weeks.

New technologies

Traditional processing methods have disadvantages, due to which scientists are constantly looking for new technologies for the food industry. Today, new milk processing options are offered:

• Ultraviolet. The raw materials are treated with ultraviolet radiation, creating a sealed milk layer controlled in thickness. Irradiation is carried out in the range of 165-185 nm. Layer thickness – 80-120 microns. The technology uses the ability of ultraviolet radiation to destroy the DNA of microorganisms - they lose the ability to reproduce. The industry today produces light sterilizers SSM, which can be used in livestock farms.

Infrared. The industry produces devices - infrared pasteurizers, which are used to pasteurize the milk of cows with mastitis. This milk is not suitable for humans, but can be used to feed calves. There are 3 groups of devices - up to 300, 500-1500 and 2000-5000 l/h.

By appearance and smell

When buying a product, for example, at the market, how to distinguish goat's milk from cow's milk? In appearance, goat's milk differs from cow's milk in its snow-white color. This is due to the lack of carotene in goat milk. The taste is not particularly different from cow's, although it is softer.

We have already figured out how to distinguish goat's milk from cow's milk. How to define good and fresh? The smell of milk should be pleasant. The presence of any specific odors should alert the buyer. And you shouldn’t believe the explanations that it’s not cow’s milk, but goat’s milk, which is why there are such unusual smells. A goat is a clean animal. And foreign odors in the milk only indicate that the owners did not take proper care of the goat.

Cholesterol

This substance is necessary for the human body. It participates in chemical reactions, metabolism, and protects the immune system. Cholesterol produces vitamin D and some hormones. However, its excess leads to a number of problems.

According to the statistics of physicochemical analysis, the amount of cholesterol in whole goat products is 30 mg, in sterilized cow products – 10 mg. In cottage cheese – 60 mg, in sour cream – 130 mg, in cheese – 1550 mg. Saturation with lipids does not contribute to vascular and heart health, which means that the benefit of a goat product is controversial.

Some Caveats

In the diet of young children, the amount of goat milk should be small. After all, a high content of minerals can create an excessive burden on an organism that is not yet strong and not ready for this. There is a danger of acquiring iron deficiency anemia if you allow excess goat milk feeding to a child under one year of age. Based on the high fat content and the absence of digestive enzymes in it (this is also the difference between goat’s milk and cow’s milk), such children should not be given undiluted goat milk.

When buying milk at the market, you need to boil it to avoid brucellosis or E. coli infection, as there is a possibility of infection of the animal.

Goat's milk may be contraindicated in cases of disruption of the endocrine system and intestines, as well as in cases of malfunction of the pancreas.

As noted earlier, when buying goat milk, it is important to smell it. It should not have an unpleasant odor. If you notice the smell of animal fur, this is a clear sign that it has not been properly cared for. To avoid any problems, it is better to avoid purchasing and consuming such milk.

Harm

Abuse of the product leads to unpleasant consequences, so you need to adhere to the rules and take into account contraindications.

1. Complete replacement of mother's milk with goat's milk when feeding a baby can lead to iron deficiency anemia.
2. Obesity, increased blood viscosity, gastrointestinal diseases are contraindications for use.
3. It is not recommended to drink this drink before or immediately after meals, as this leads to a weakening of the proper functioning of the gastrointestinal tract.

Cow's milk: benefits and contraindications

In terms of popularity, cow's milk can be said to be the leader among all mammals. For centuries it has been given to children, people whose bodies are unable to digest solid food, as well as the sick.

In terms of the number of vitamins it contains (about 20), cow's milk is perhaps the leader. This set includes B vitamins, as well as vitamins A, C, D, and PP. It also contains a number of essential amino acids for the body.

The content of vitamin H (B7), or biotin, is beneficial for humans in that it produces sulfur, which in turn synthesizes collagen. The importance of this protein for the human body is undeniable.

Vitamin B4 (choline) protects the membranes of human body cells from damage and destruction. In addition, choline lowers cholesterol levels, and this helps fight atherosclerosis. Drinking a glass of slightly warmed milk at night helps you fall asleep. This is explained precisely by the calming effect of vitamin B4. Choline also promotes structural restoration of the liver damaged by the destructive effects of drugs.

Cow's milk is rich in nucleic and unsaturated fatty acids. Calcium, which is so necessary for the body and, in particular, for bones, is included in this product in large quantities. In addition to being rich in this element, an important role is played by the fact that it is found in milk in an optimal form for absorption. The amount of lactose in cow's milk is higher than, for example, in goat's milk. Lactose has a beneficial effect on heart function. If you are not lactose intolerant, you can safely drink cow's milk. Cow's milk should also be consumed with caution by those who have diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas or liver. It is better for such people to give up dairy and replace it with fermented milk products.

Daily intake for children

When introducing dairy products into your baby's diet, the drink should be started with small portions. The initial average daily norm is 450 grams. Gradually, upon reaching two years, it increases to 680 grams.

Particular care should be taken when introducing other milk-containing options into children's menus. The content of a large proportion of fats and vitamins in a multicomponent polydisperse system can negatively affect a growing body. For example, feeding milk porridge in the first part of the day does not allow iron to be absorbed. The components of calcium, which is required by the skeletal system, are the “enemy” of substances responsible for the immune system. One hundred grams of hard cheese or cottage cheese will prevent the absorption of a group of metals, even if the baby received soup with meat for lunch.

Thus, pediatricians advise mothers to put off dairy products for the evening to prevent anemia in preschoolers.

How to determine the fat content of goat milk at home?

The shades of fresh milk depend on the degree of fat content.
It is possible to determine the fat content of goat milk in percentage only in the laboratory. However, there is a method applicable for home use. To do this you will need a smooth glass, a marker, and a ruler.

Procedure:

1. Wipe the surface of the glass with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
2. Measure 10 cm from the bottom and make a mark.
3. Apply strips 1 mm wide - from top to bottom to the 9 cm mark.
4. Pour 100 ml of goat drink, wait 10–12 hours. During this time the cream will rise.
5. Evaluate the result - the distance from the top surface to the border of milk and cream in millimeters will indicate the fat content.

Determining the indicator will be needed if the product is purchased secondhand. In store-bought milk it is indicated on the label, but the meaning is not always accurate. Just for fun, you can use the presented method.

General characteristics

Milk and products using it are among the most popular in the world. Cow is produced on an industrial scale specifically for milk production, while goat, being the second most popular in the world, comes to the market more often from farms . High demand, which is not always covered by farmers, has caused the increased price of the product and the emergence of a large number of myths around it about its benefits and rare skills.

At the same time, both types of milk have a number of similar qualities that have a positive effect on the human body. The product qualitatively strengthens the immune system, provides the body with the necessary amount of vitamins and microelements, is suitable for use almost from childhood and has very few contraindications. Different types of milk are used not only as food, but also in medicine, cosmetology, and other fields.

What is lactose intolerance?

The human body diagnosed with lactose deficiency does not fully absorb lactose , in other words, milk sugar.
After consuming products containing milk, people complain of upset stools and other stomach problems. Cells in the upper intestine secrete lactase. This is an enzyme that breaks down lactose. When the required amount of lactase is not available in the human body, some of the lactose ends up in the intestines. It absorbs lactase and produces special gases that create intestinal problems. Lactase also has a laxative effect. Symptoms of lactose deficiency appear about an hour after eating dairy products.

Everyone's reaction to lactose is different. Many patients drink a few cups of milk and have no problems with the tract. And some people do not tolerate small amounts of lactose well.

Types of Deficiency

• Primary . In children under seven years of age, the amount of lactase decreases slowly. Adults have a low level, but this is enough to consume dairy products. With this type of lactase deficiency, eating dairy products causes discomfort.
• Secondary develops at a time when lactase production becomes less after illness, surgery, etc. Having cured the cause of the disease, the amount of lactase in the body will be replenished over time.
• Congenital . This diagnosis is very rare. A person completely lacks lactase. This is a genetic disease. Lactose deficiency occurs in premature babies, since the maturation of cells responsible for lactase occurs in the third trimester. Then this enzyme returns to normal.