Goat Milk – sources, health benefits, nutrients, uses and constituents at NaturalPedia.com

Thursday, July 06, 2017 by Earl Garcia

Goat milk is slowly gaining steam as a nutrient-rich superfood. Goat milk is relatively hard to acquire, as only about two percent of the global milk supply comes from goats. However, goat milk is relatively cheaper to process compared with cow milk. Likewise, goat milk is better metabolized by people with lactose intolerance.

List of known nutrients

While not as popular, goat milk is just as healthy as cow milk. Goat milk contains essential nutrients found in many other milk varieties, including:

Calcium
Choline
Copper
Folate
Iron
Magnesium
Manganese
Niacin
Pantothenic Acid
Phosphorus
Potassium
Riboflavin
Selenium
Sodium
Thiamin
Vitamin A
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B6
Vitamin C
Vitamin D
Vitamin E
Vitamin K
Zinc

Medicinal uses for goat milk

Like any other milk varieties, goat milk is highly valued for its rich calcium content that fortifies the bones. In fact, goat milk contains up to 35 percent of a person’s recommended daily calcium intake. This means that goat milk is a powerful superfood against osteoporosis. Aside from this, goat milk has relatively lower allergenic proteins and lactose. Goat milk’s smaller fat cells make it easier to digest compared with cow milk, which is especially beneficial for people with lactose intolerance.

Goat milk is also particularly beneficial to the digestive system. Goat milk contains anti-inflammatory properties that fend off common inflammation and stomach upset. This is attributed to the unique enzymatic component of goat milk that alleviates inflammation in the intestines. Aside from this, goat milk’s composition is found to closely resemble that of humans. This means that goat milk may facilitate nutrient uptake in the body far better than cow milk does. Additionally, goat milk is touted to be more nutrient-rich compared with cow milk. Goat milk is also known to facilitate copper and iron absorption, thus reducing the risk of anemia and other nutrient deficiency-related conditions.

In addition, goat milk is known to contain nearly twice as many beneficial fatty acids than cow milk, making it especially beneficial in maintaining the body’s cholesterol balance. Maintaining healthy cholesterol levels cut the risk of cardiovascular conditions such as atherosclerosis, strokes, heart attacks, and other coronary complications. On the other hand, the rich potassium supply in goat milk relaxes the body’s blood vessels and staves off hypertension.

Moreover, goat milk contains trace amounts of selenium, a rather rare nutrient that bolsters the body’s immune system and wards off infections and diseases. Goat milk is also touted for its anti-mucosal and anti-allergic properties that keep allergies and mucus build up in check.

Body systems supported by goat milk

Goat milk is especially beneficial to the skeletal and digestive systems. The circulatory system also gains significant benefits from goat milk. Likewise, goat milk support and bolsters the immune system.

Ways to use goat milk

Goat milk’s high buttermilk content and rich consistency makes it a popular staple in a variety of dairy products such as cheese, butter, ice cream and yogurt. Likewise, goal milk is used in a wide array of recipes, from meat dishes to sweets and baked goods. Aside from its culinary use, goat milk can also be incorporated in skin care products such as soaps and lotions.