According to some studies, goat milk is less likely to cause adverse digestive symptoms than cow milk. To understand why, we compared the two. But what’s even the difference between goat milk and cow milk? Is it just taste, or is it nutrition? Which is better?
In a world full of milks (and mylks), it can be overwhelming to choose just one. These days, the dairy aisle is saturated with options, there’s soy, almond, cashew, rice, oat, hemp, camel, etcetera, etcetera.
It’s a popular opinion that goat milk might have more nutritional benefits than regular old moo juice (or in other words cow milk). We have the scoop on goat milk versus cow milk. It turns out, neither milk is healthier than the other, but goat milk may be a better choice for digestion. And if you’re as lost as we were, don’t worry.
What is goat milk?
At its most basic level, all dairy milk is an emulsion of fats, proteins, micronutrients, lactose and water. And while cow milk is probably the first thing that comes to mind when you think of milk, goat milk is rising in popularity.
What are the nutritional stats of goat milk and cow milk?
Goat milk is an excellent alternative to cow milk. The composition of any type of milk can vary depending on the animal’s breed, diet, environment, and point in the lactation period, but on average, this is how cow milk and goat milk compare:
| COMPOSITIONS (Per 100 grams) | GOAT | COW |
| Protein (g) | 3.1 | 3.2 |
| Fat % (g) | 3.5 | 3.9 |
| Calories/100 ml | 60 | 66 |
| Vitamin A (IU/gram fat) | 39 | 21 |
| Vitamin B1(thiamin (UG/100/ml) | 68 | 45 |
| Riboflavin (ug/100 ml) | 210 | 159 |
| Vitamin C (mg ascorbic acid/100 ml) | 2 | 2 |
| Vitamin D (IU/gram fat) | 0.7 | 0.7 |
| Calcium % | 0.19 | 0.18 |
| Iron % | 0.07 | 0.06 |
| Phosphorus % | 0.27 | 0.23 |
| Cholesterol (mg/100 ml) | 10 | 14 |
| Sugars (lactose) | 4.4 | 4.8 |
| Saturated fatty acids (g) | 2.3 | 2.4 |
| Monounsaturated fatty acids (g) | 0.8 | 1.1 |
| Polyunsaturated fatty acids (g) | 0.1 | 0.1 |
And as far as vitamins and minerals go, both milks have a lot to offer, just in different amounts. Goat milk has more calcium, potassium and vitamin A than cow milk, but cow milk has more vitamin B12, selenium and folic acid.
So if their nutrition content is almost the same, is goat or cow milk healthier?
Not really, but it’s complicated. Both goat and cow milk offer myriad nutrition benefits, but goat milk may be easier on the digestive system. That’s because the levels of micro-proteins that make it hard for some people to digest are lower in goat milk than in cow milk. The fat molecules (or globules, if you want to get technical) are also smaller, which makes it easier for your body to process.
Because it’s thought to be easier to digest, there’s a misconception that goat milk is lactose-free. It’s actually not: Goat milk does have less lactose than cow milk, but not enough to make it lactose-free. Still, it might be easier for you to stomach (pun intended) because of its molecular structure.
My baby has a cow milk allergy. Can I give him goat milk?
Pediatrics strongly discourages feeding infants goat milk. Even though it might be easier to digest, it doesn’t offer the same nutritional benefits, and if is not pasteurized, it carries a risk of infection. You should first consult a pediatrician it. They might recommend goat milk when your kid is closer to toddler age.
That’s all great. But what does goat milk taste like?
If you’re wondering how goat milk compares in flavor (we were), think about how goat cheese tastes. Whereas cow milk is mild, neutral and creamy, goat milk is definitely, well, goaty. It’s tangy and grassy and might take some getting used to.The final takeaway:
Cow milk is the winner when it comes to that ubiquitous milky taste, as well as price and availability (goat milk is both more expensive and less common in grocery stores). But goat milk may be easier to digest, thanks to its molecular structure. The bottom line is that both milks are healthy, but if dairy often does funny things to your digestive system, it might be worth giving goat milk a try.
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Categorised in: Milk
