The Benefits of Goat Milk

Goat milk is a natural product that has been used by people for a long time. There is historical evidence that Zeus himself was grown by Amalthea on this product and, in part, thanks to him, he grew up so powerful and strong. In order to find out whether the result of goat milk can really be useful for a person, you need to understand the chemical composition of goat milk, note its pros and cons, learn all about the benefits and harms of goat milk.

Goat milk

The content of the article:

Goat Milk Composition

Most often, goat’s milk is compared with cow’s milk, which is very popular among consumers. But paradoxically, the latter is inferior in many characteristics to the goat. Goat’s milk contains more minerals (potassium, sodium, magnesium, manganese, iron, etc.) than cow’s. But in the matter of vitamins, the goat product is inferior, giving the cow a branch.

The average calorie content of 100 ml of raw goat product is 68 kcal, but the energy value may vary depending on many factors:

• Goat breeds
• Breeding conditions and feed
• Animal age
• Stages of lactation
• Amounts of goat milk

Goat milk occupies a leading position in terms of protein content, and, as you know, it is the most important building material of the human body. Protein intake is especially important for people who do not eat fish and meat for one reason or another, for example, vegetarians.

Due to its unique composition, goat’s milk is often used in weight loss, if it is previously defatted. The Moscow author of the book, talking about this method, claims that due to the fact that the product does not increase the glycemic index, you can burn extra calories and not get better.

We learn in more detail about all the trace elements that goat milk is rich in.

Protein

In percentage terms, protein makes up about 3% of the composition. Goat protein is remarkable in that it is absorbed by the human body simply, completely and does not cause allergies. If you delve into the explanation, then the reason for this is a special protein – beta-casein, which is present only in goat’s milk. It is worth saying that this is not the only protein found in the goat product, albumin is also of considerable value, which makes the curdling of the product special, creating fine-grained and tender curd flakes. You have probably heard that goat protein is as close as possible in its composition to natural human milk, so often a goat product either completely replaces breastfeeding or becomes the basis for the first milk porridges for children. As for lactose, it is much less in the goat product, so nutritionists introduce goat milk into the composition of the lactose-free diet for people suffering from lactose intolerance. But it is not recommended to make a decision on its introduction into the diet on your own, it is better to get the advice of your doctor.

Calcium

For the skeletal system, goat’s milk is of great value, as it contains more phosphorus and calcium, due to which the bones become strong. That is why goat milk is recommended for a growing child’s body, pregnant women who need a double norm of this trace element, as well as people who have problems with the skeletal system in the form of fractures or chronic diseases.

If we compare how tableted calcium is absorbed and the natural one contained in milk, the second one saturates the skeletal system to the maximum without any side effects. But you should not independently increase portions of milk and introduce it into the diet of infants, since in addition to calcium, it contains phosphorus, which, if consumed in large quantities, can negatively affect the urinary system and serve as the development of infant renal failure. For this reason, goat milk is given only with the permission of a pediatrician and often in the form of mixtures adapted for a certain age.

The goat product contains minerals such as magnesium and potassium, which positively affect the functioning of the heart and improve the condition of blood vessels. If we compare breast milk with goat milk, then the first contains the amount of iron almost three times more than in the goat product. Accordingly, giving a regular product to a child, replacing natural feeding with them, you risk getting anemia.

Vitamins in the composition

As mentioned earlier, the goat product is inferior to the cow product in the content of various groups of vitamins. To have an idea and be able to compare two milks for the presence of nutrients, study the table:

Vitamins in goat milk A More than 1,5 times RR More than 1,5 times B More than 2 times C Equally E Equally N Equally D Equally

However, there are also substances that are absent in both types of milk, for example, folic acid, insufficient intake of which can start the development of anemia. This feature must be taken into account if you prefer feeding your baby with goat milk. In addition to such necessary vitamins, milk contains iodine, copper, manganese and other equally useful substances. Of course, their share is hundredths of a percent, but even such a small amount contributes to the functioning of the human body.

Fats

Fats are just as necessary for a person as vitamins, protein, one cannot take lightly the fact that they are not enough in the diet. Milk fat has a number of advantages, as it is considered fortified, indicated for introduction into the diet of underweight children with weakened immune systems, and is also vital as a dietary food in the treatment and prevention of gastrointestinal diseases, lung and heart diseases.

In terms of fat content, goat’s milk exceeds cow’s milk by 1,5 times. However, it cannot be called too fatty and harmful, since goat fat has smaller molecules, respectively, is absorbed completely, without causing the formation of cholesterol plaques on the vessels, and is a good prevention of the development of early atherosclerosis.

Now that you know the composition of goat milk, the conclusion suggests itself – the product has a lot of positive qualities and goat milk is indicated for use by almost all people. Some categories of people are an exception to the rule:

• People suffering from individual intolerance
• Infants whose main diet is still breast milk and they are on guard

We will learn in more detail about how the healing beneficial properties of goat milk are used in certain areas of human life.

goat milk for allergies

When listing the positive properties of the product, do not forget that goat milk treatment has long been known and is a good preventive measure. We are talking about people suffering from allergic reactions to various animal proteins. In the presence of allergies, they are forced to limit their diet, making their diet meager and monotonous, of course, refusing to consume all dairy products. Goat milk is recognized as hypoallergenic, this opinion is shared by all leading foreign nutritionists. If a goat product is introduced into the diet of an allergic person, his condition will noticeably improve, namely:

• There will be an improvement in overall well-being, including getting rid of depression, and normalization of sleep
• Stabilization of the digestive tract
• Reducing skin rashes
• Immunity to acute respiratory infections and other diseases will increase significantly

Especially often children’s allergies, or the so-called diathesis, are treated with goat’s milk. Statistics say that only in one case out of a hundred goat milk is not perceived and absorbed by the human body.

Does goat milk help with allergies? Firstly, it is worth saying that for the effective treatment of allergic reactions, it is worth using only a raw product, and best of all, fresh goat’s milk. A recipe that has been widely used since ancient times is the following.

You will need:

• Birch coals – 200 g
• Goat milk – 1 liter

The coals need to be crushed and poured with fresh goat’s milk. The resulting slurry must be boiled over low heat for half an hour. Next, we insist the mixture for 24 hours, and gives the allergy sufferer 3 tablespoons before meals. Judging by the reviews, the allergy recedes after 2 weeks of such treatment. Very often, it is the presence of medicinal properties in goat’s milk that becomes the root cause of its use.

Goat milk in folk medicine

It is worth saying that a goat is a fairly common animal, and at a time when qualified medical care was a luxury, goat’s milk served not only as food, but also as the first remedy for the treatment of various diseases, especially effective in tandem with medicinal herbs and certain products. Consider the most popular methods of treatment with it:

• A glass of goat’s milk with fleur honey is an excellent cough suppressant for bronchitis and pneumonia.
• Chronic cough is relieved by drinking warm goat’s milk with ground oats, melted butter and cocoa butter. This recipe is also suitable for asthmatics.
• With a reduced libido, a man is recommended to eat turnip fruit boiled in goat’s milk 3 times a day. Also, very often, men drink a milk drink to increase potency, adding crushed nuts and dried fruits to it.
• If you suffer from insomnia, moisten a piece of cloth with goat product and put a bandage on your forehead before going to bed, this helps to relieve stress and set the body to rest
• Goat milk is indicated for getting rid of hemorrhoids, dysbacteriosis, diarrhea and candidiasis. You should drink a glass of fresh milk immediately after sleep, this will reduce pain in the anus and will contribute to the speedy healing of ulcers, goat’s milk will also help with gastritis and acute bowel symptoms
• If you have dry skin and your heels are prone to cracking, take just half an hour for their beauty and health, making daily baths with the addition of hot goat’s milk, combined with a pinch of salt. You can find photos before and after such treatment.

There are many recipes based on goat’s milk, among them there are those that, if not completely cured, then improve the condition in diseases of the liver, heart, stomach, relieve the common cold and hiccups, and serve as diet food during chemotherapy.

Goat milk in cosmetology

Goat milk in cosmetology, household and folk, has become widespread. You have probably heard about cosmetic products that contain goat’s milk. Indeed, cosmetics manufacturers often resort to the use of this natural product due to its ability to penetrate into the cell and influence the natural collagen supply of human skin. You can find creams for the face, under the eyes, and also for the décolleté area. The presence of auxiliary ingredients in it – chamomile extract, rosemary, cucumber and green tea infusion – can improve the result of such a remedy.

You can make a homemade beauty product by mixing oil, a few grams of glycerin and 10-15 ml of goat’s milk. You will get an excellent moisturizing lotion that will appeal to even the most demanding and sophisticated girl. For washing, use milk with a chopped clove of garlic. Although the mixture does not smell very good, its application will help to maintain youthfulness, and it is beneficial to reduce the effect of age on skin condition.

If your goal is to use goat’s milk for cosmetic purposes, you can use goat’s milk whey (a product derived from goat’s milk), either by making it yourself or by purchasing it from the market. It is often used for delicate skin around the eyes, thereby increasing its tone, moisturizing and eliminating wrinkles.

For beautiful, voluminous, thick hair, use goat’s milk as a final step after washing your hair with regular shampoo, as a rinse or hair balm.

Goat milk during early pregnancy

In the diet of a pregnant woman, dairy products should take up at least half of the daily diet. But when choosing dairy products, you need to carefully monitor their quality and usefulness, it is recommended to give preference to goat’s milk.

Consumption of goat’s milk in the first trimester saturates the body of the expectant mother with the necessary trace elements, positively affecting the formation of the child in the womb. If the child was born in the autumn-winter period, goat’s milk can increase the body’s resistance of a pregnant woman to influenza, acute respiratory infections and other diseases in order to prevent the use of drugs and antibiotics. It is better to drink milk immediately after sleeping on an empty stomach, if there is no toxicosis.

To maintain a normal hormonal background in a future mother, doctors recommend drinking a goat product in combination with a few drops of iodine. This drink promotes good lactation after childbirth and will be a good support for natural feeding of the baby.

Milk with honey can be a real salvation from toxicosis, which often haunts pregnant women, especially in the first months of pregnancy.

Nutritionists do not recommend cooking cereals with milk, as this product is self-sufficient and does not need auxiliary means. The unique content of goat’s milk has been discussed previously. You can cook cottage cheese, yogurt, kefir, condensed milk, sour cream, yogurt and even ice cream from natural goat milk or pancakes based on it. In cheesemaking, the leader is goat curd President, which has excellent taste and texture.

Benefits of goat milk for babies

Should you give goat’s milk to young children? Doctors recommend introducing goat’s milk into the diet of babies no earlier than 8 months of age, when the alimentary tract is more mature, and until that time, feed the baby exclusively with breast milk or an adapted goat’s milk formula. By the way, baby food is currently being sold, which is based on a goat dairy product, but the content of nutrients in it is much lower than in a natural product.

There are some principles for introducing a new milk drink into the baby’s diet:

• You need to buy milk only from trusted goat breeders if you buy it from your hands
• Ask the seller for a veterinary opinion if you are making a purchase on the market
• Check expiration dates carefully in stores.
• Before giving milk to your baby, try it yourself
• At the very beginning, it is recommended to dilute milk with water in a ratio of 1: 3, then gradually reduce
• Milk must be boiled
• Only glass containers are suitable for storing the product

Pediatricians note some negative properties of goat’s milk that a mother should be aware of before deciding to introduce a new product into a baby’s diet:

• Goat milk has more fat than breast milk
• Goat drink does not contain lipase, unlike breast milk
• Phosphorus in goat’s milk overloads the kidneys of a newborn and can cause intestinal irritation.
• The lack of folic acid, which is so necessary for a growing body, can provoke the onset of anemia.

Tips – how to choose goat milk

If you prefer fresh goat milk, then it is better to buy it in the market, where you can see it, smell it and even taste it. Well, if you personally know the seller, in this case you will know whether the animal is kept clean, what the goat eats, and whether it grazes near highways. Very often, unscrupulous sellers give out cow’s milk for goat products. To protect yourself from such a deception, remember that cow’s milk has a yellow tint. Do not buy milk in plastic bottles, it is likely that the product will turn sour. Another test for freshness – you need to drop milk on the nail, if you see a drop formed – the milk is fresh and you can buy it.

The main signs of a high-quality and low-quality product can be summarized in the table:

Quality product Poor quality product Packaging intact

Manufacturer with a name (not just emerging)

Milk color white

Raw contains small fat clots, so

how milk curdles

Packaging with dents, holes

The color of the product with yellowness (the animal may be sick with brucellosis or

giardiasis, which is dangerous to humans)

Blue color (often happens if the goat had mastitis)

Unpleasant odor (with improper care of the animal)

When it comes to storing the product, it needs to be pasteurized and then stored as frozen milk, as it doesn’t freeze well until it curdles, precipitates, and starts to flake. It only takes a few hours for the taste to start to turn bitter. Then it can be sour, and then make sourdough with sugar.

Do I need to boil goat’s milk?

How to use goat milk correctly? This question worries both lovers of a milk drink and its ardent opponents. Is raw goat milk healthy or dangerous, is it worth giving preference to a boiled drink? Adherents of raw consumption argue that the heat treatment of the product kills all the nutrients and further use of the product is pointless. Indeed, there is some truth in this, since the goat product contains a considerable amount of vitamins and minerals, which were written about earlier. This complex has a positive effect on the nervous system, immunity, promotes rapid growth, which is very important for children and the elderly, restores the functioning of many systems of the human body, for example, normalizes blood pressure and increases hemoglobin. It is a well-known fact that goats are not susceptible to many diseases characteristic of a cow, which is another argument for drinking unboiled milk, but rather steamed milk.

Adherents of thermal processing argue that a drunk glass of fresh milk can cause infectious diseases, since it may contain microbes. You cannot be 100% sure that the goat did not get sick during milking. The reason for the appearance of pathogens in milk may be the unscrupulous work of a milkmaid on a farm, who may not have thoroughly washed the udder before milking or sterilized the separator. Indeed, in order to protect the child from possible infections, it is worth boiling the product. By the way, a child can and should be given dishes from sour casein, as they are devoid of an unpleasant odor and are absorbed better than ordinary fermented milk products.

As for an adult, it is worth weighing all the possible risks. If you buy milk from a trusted person, he can provide a certificate confirming the health of the animal, then drink raw milk for health.

From the foregoing, we can conclude that the benefits of consuming goat’s milk are much greater than the likelihood of any microbes in its composition. If boiling products is a matter of principle, then you need to know a few nuances about boiling:

• Do not expose milk to prolonged heat treatment, avoid high temperatures
• Cool it only in a closed container
• Do not repeat boiling
• Never use a microwave

Harm and disadvantages of goat milk

Despite the many positive qualities of the product, goat milk has contraindications that should be considered when deciding whether to drink milk or not. There is a list of diseases in which the use of goat’s milk is not only undesirable, but strictly contraindicated. First of all, the product should not be drunk by people suffering from diseases of the pancreas, as well as having the second and third stages of obesity. If you suffer from individual intolerance, which can only be determined by a competent allergist or immunologist, categorically refuse such a drink.

If you suffer from tonsillitis or chronic tonsillitis, it is better to stop using both goat’s and cow’s milk, products made on its basis. This must be done due to the fact that the protein contained in both products will serve as catalysts for the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria living in the oral cavity.

Due to its high fat content, goat’s milk can cause constipation if consumed regularly. In this case, it must be diluted, in order not to completely remove it from the diet, you can dilute the drink with water in a ratio of at least 1: 1.

Refuse to drink milk before the main meal or immediately after it, as the product reduces the production of pancreatic secretions, thereby worsening the digestion process in general, respectively, the food eaten will not be completely digested. Do not drink goat product if you suffer from hyperacidity. The disadvantages of goat’s milk can also be attributed to the fact that it quickly turns sour and has a considerable cost.

Summing up, it must be said that only you will decide whether or not to drink goat’s milk, after weighing all the healing beneficial properties and contraindications. But based on the above information, the benefits of the product are much greater than the harm. Of course, goat’s milk is not a panacea for diseases such as fibroids, psoriasis, eczema, pneumonia, tuberculosis, cirrhosis, pancreatitis, cholecystitis, it will not help cure arthritis, asthma and will not get rid of oncology, although many Internet sources about traditional medicine claim the opposite. A milk drink cannot be a treatment in place of the standard drug therapy prescribed by doctors. However, its use is undoubtedly a step towards health. Drink a milk drink with pleasure, increasing vitality, improving your appearance and extracting the maximum benefit from goat milk.