Goat’s milk, an age-old beverage that has been consumed as part of a traditional diet in many cultures, is gaining global recognition as a cow’s milk alternative. Goat milk is milk produced by goats and can be consumed directly or processed into other dairy products such as cheese, yoghurt, and infant formula. Goat’s milk is well-known for its unique nutritional characteristics, digestibility, and taste.
What is goat milk good for? Why is it healthy?
Goats milk offers a rich array of bioavailable nutrients including calcium, magnesium, vitamin A and vitamin B12. These play a crucial role in bone health, immunity, and muscle function. Moreover, goat's milk is an easily digestible beverage due to the A2 casein protein and gut-friendly oligosaccharides found naturally in goat's milk.
While cow's and plant-based milk options may be more familiar to many of us, goat's milk offers itself as a nutrient-rich alternative. Cow's milk contains high levels of A1 casein protein and lactose that cause digestive issues in some. Additionally, some plant-based milk lacks the essential nutrients and vitamins present in cow's milk and contains undesirable additives such as thickening agents, vegetable oils, and sugars.
Is goat milk better than cow milk? Does it taste different?
Both cow and goat milk are highly bioavailable sources of essential nutrients, including calcium and protein. However, goat's milk has slightly higher levels of fat, protein, vitamin A, and minerals such as phosphorus and calcium when compared to cow's milk. Animal studies have demonstrated that goat's milk exhibits superior mineral uptake of calcium, phosphorus, iron, copper, magnesium, selenium, and zinc compared to cow's milk.
Taste-wise, goat's milk shares a similar flavour profile with cow's milk. Some describe its taste as creamy with a subtle sweetness. It's worth noting that factors such as the breed of the goat, the goat's diet, and the freshness of the milk may also influence the taste of goat's milk.
Why is goat milk easy to digest?
Goat's milk is known for its superior digestibility compared to cow's milk, making it a preferred choice for individuals with sensitive guts. Several studies have found individuals report fewer gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloating consuming goat's milk when compared to cow's milk.
Lactose intolerance, which refers to difficulty digesting lactose, is more prevalent in certain regions and can develop with age. While both cow's and goat's milk contain lactose, many individuals find goat's milk easier to digest due to its slightly lower lactose content. Moreover, goat's milk contains A2 casein, a form of casein protein that is gentler in the gut. Finally, goat's milk is rich in gut-friendly oligosaccharides, a prebiotic that supports the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and contributes to digestive health.
What to look for when choosing a goat milk?
At GoodnessMe, we’re careful not to be fooled by clever food product marketing and look for several key factors when choosing a goat milk formula to ensure it's a healthy option. When selecting an infant formula, ensure that it includes the essential vitamins, minerals, and macronutrients required to support an infant's healthy growth and development. Ideally, the formula should consist of high-quality ingredients and minimal synthetic additives that offer no nutritional value.
LittleOak takes pride in formulating a goat milk infant formula with natural and premium ingredients. They use full-cream goat milk solids in their formula instead of powdered milk, preserving the natural goodness of goat's milk. LittleOak is committed to producing quality products free from filler ingredients such as palm oil, hexane-extracted canola oil, carrageenan, and added sugars.
It is essential to note that goat milk formula is not suitable for babies with severe lactose intolerance as it still contains some lactose. However, infants with sensitive guts or mild lactose intolerance may benefit from goat's milk formula as it contains lower levels of lactose. Additionally, LittleOak's infant formula contains galacto-oligosaccharides, a prebiotic that supports a healthy gut and immune system.
Emerging research has highlighted the significance of an infant's diet in shaping the functional capacity and diversity of their gut microbiome. Therefore, the addition of gut-promoting ingredients like galacto-oligosaccharides in LittleOak's formula further underscores their commitment to promoting optimal gut and overall health in infants.
Why is it important to choose a palm-oil free goat milk?
Infant formulas commonly include palm oil to replicate the fatty acid composition found naturally in breast milk. However, palm oil offers little nutritional value and can inhibit the absorption of essential nutrients like calcium and DHA. It may also lead to constipation and other gastrointestinal issues. Moreover, palm oil production has detrimental environmental consequences as it contributes to deforestation and habitat loss for endangered animal species.
LittleOak made an intentional decision to exclude palm oil from its formula. Instead, they utilize cold-pressed flaxseed and coconut oil to mimic the fatty acid composition of breast milk. Flaxseed oil is rich in anti-inflammatory omega-3 fatty acids which support the healthy development and the baby's brain whilst coconut oil possesses anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties and is a rich source of easily digestible medium-chain triglycerides.
GoodnessMe-approved Goat Milk Formulas
Goat's milk offers a healthy and easily digestible alternative to cow's milk, making it a favourable choice. Choosing a premium quality and nutrient-dense goat milk formula such as LittleOak’s goat milk formula ensures babies receive essential nutrients without compromising health. As parents and caregivers, we all want to provide the highest quality ingredients for our children, especially during the early stages of their growth and development. By prioritizing quality products, we can make informed choices that promote the health and well-being of our little ones.