Goat’s milk is the most commonly consumed type of milk in the world. In fact, between 65% and 72% of all dairy consumed worldwide is goat’s milk. This is partly due to the ease of raising goats, as opposed to cows, in developing countries, where goat milk is an important source of calories, protein and fat. In many countries, people share a preference for goat’s milk over cow’s milk.
Goat’s milk is thicker and creamier than cow’s milk or vegetable milk, and has more nutrients that provide health benefits. For example:
- Easier to digest
- Lower risk of milk allergies
- Supporting the heart
If you’re thinking about drinking goat’s milk, it’s important to understand the benefits it can offer.
Goat’s milk is an excellent source of:
- Proteins
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
Goat’s milk is also an excellent source of vitamin A. Studies show that a sufficient vitamin A intake can help reduce the risk of cataracts, certain cancers and even helps children fight measles.
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Potential health benefits of goat’s milk
Goat’s milk isn’t just a specialty drink. Depending on your lifestyle, goat’s milk may be a better choice than cow’s or plant-based milk because it offers a number of benefits:
Rich in digestible protein
Compared to standard cow’s milk, soy milk or almond milk, goat’s milk has more proteins per serving. Besides, the proteins in goat’s milk seem to be more digestible, which means that your body can use them more easily and it doesn’t burden your digestive system. Goat’s milk also contains significantly more protein than almond milk or rice milk.
May not cause milk allergies
Some people with cow’s milk allergies may find that goat’s milk doesn’t trigger their allergies. One study found that about one in four children who are allergic to cow’s milk are not allergic to goat’s milk.
If you are allergic to dairy, you can ask your doctor to test whether your body can tolerate goat’s milk. If you know you have a dairy allergy, you should not consume goat’s milk without asking your doctor first.