Goat milk is very nutritious and offers many health benefits; these nutrients and benefits are present in raw and in pasteurized milk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration warns that raw goat milk can contain dangerous pathogens that are association with serious health risks. Among these are bacteria such as E.coli, Listeria and Salmonella. Pasteurization does not reduce the milk's nutritional value and it is not true that pasteurization causes lactose intolerance or allergy.
Nutrition
Like cow milk, goat milk is around 3 percent protein. Protein in milk contains all the essential amino acids and is highly bioavailable, making it easy for your body to digest and utilize. Mammalian milk and dairy products are also the best sources of calcium among all foods. Calcium is an important mineral for healthy bones and teeth, and deficiency causes painful and weak bones and joints. In addition, milk and dairy are excellent sources of the B vitamin riboflavin, essential for good vision and for the metabolism of foods to energy.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactose in the type of carbohydrate found in milk. Persons with lactose intolerance cannot digest this carbohydrate, and suffer from moderate to severe gastrointestinal distress when they consume milk. According to the American Dietetic Association, although goat milk contains lower quantities of lactose than cow milk, it still contains significant amounts and should be avoided by lactose intolerant individuals. However, Medline Plus reports that persons who are mild to moderately lactose intolerant may find goat milk easier to digest than cow milk.
Anti-Inflammatory
Research reported in the March 2006 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition" found that in rats with colitis, goat milk exerted an anti-inflammatory response. This indicates that goat milk might be useful in the management of inflammatory bowel disease. The authors also note that goat milk has prebiotic properties that promote a healthy digestive system.
Blood Lipids And Fat Absorption
The August 2001 issue of the "Journal of Dairy Research" reports a study comparing cow and goat milk. It was found that compared with cow milk, goat milk reduced cholesterol levels. It was also found that goat milk fat was more easily absorbed in rats who had parts of their intestines removed, and therefore was more tolerated than cow milk. The digestive utilization of goat milk was compared to that of olive oil. From these observations, the authors note that goat milk can be useful in patients with certain intestinal problems, especially persons who have undergone intestinal surgery.
References
- FDA; "The Dangers of Raw Milk"
- American Dietetic Association's Eat Right.Org; "Goat's Milk for Lactose Intolerance?"
- Medline Plus: Lactose Intolerance
- "The Journal of Nutrition"; Goat Milk Oligosaccharides are Anti-Inflammatory in Rats with Hapten-Induced Colitis; A. Daddaoua et al.; March 2006
- "Journal of Dairy Research"; Digestive Utilization of Goat and Cow Milk Fat in Malabsorption Syndrome; MJ. Alferez et al.; August 2001
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