Goat vs cow: expert debunks popular myths about animal milk

Goat's milk is the best alternative to cow's one. According to numerous studies, it causes fewer digestive problems and is more similar to breast milk.

However, its benefits have been overshadowed by many false myths. According to Lorenzo Traversetti, a doctor of biological sciences in the field of nutrition, these two types of milk are equally suitable for consumption because they are a valuable source of calcium, proteins, vitamins and minerals, melarossa.it reports.

Significant differences include a higher fat content in goat's milk than in cow's one (4.8 g versus 3.6 g), as well as its better tolerance.

Myths about goat milk: true or false?

1. Goat milk has fewer calories - false

Goat's milk contains 75 kcal per 100 ml, compared to about 63 kcal of cow's milk.

2. Those who are lactose intolerant can drink goat milk - false

Despite the lower amount of lactose, goat milk still contains this type of sugar. Thus, it can cause an allergic reaction or typical symptoms of food intolerance in those who suffer from it.

3. Goat milk is better digested - true

This is due to the presence of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), which are directly absorbed by enterocytes and sent to the liver. Due to this, goat's milk is considered more easily digestible than cow's one.

4. Goat milk is healthier - false

There is no more or less healthy milk. The two types have macro- and micronutrients that are very similar to each other but with significant differences in fat, calcium, and calorie content.

5. Goat milk is less fatty - false

In fact, the fat content of goat milk is higher than that one of cow, but the type of fat is different. It contains a category of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which follow a different metabolic pathway from others.

They are absorbed by intestinal cells and sent directly to the liver. This prevents them from turning into fatty agglomerates (chylomicrons), which are directly responsible for the formation of atherogenic plaques, typical of cholesterol, for example.

6. Goat milk has more protein - false

There is no significant difference between the protein content of cow's and goat's milk. What changes slightly is the amino acid composition (AAC). In fact, goat's milk stands out for the presence of high concentrations of taurine, an amino acid that is not among the mknown, but is very important for ensuring proper fetal development. This makes it the most similar to breast milk.

7. Goat milk contains more calcium - true

This aspect is perhaps one of the main strengths of this type of milk. Cow's milk contains about 119 mg of calcium per 100 ml of product, while goat's milk contains about 134 mg. This property makes it an ideal food for children, the elderly, and all those who care about their bone health.