What is goat's milk and why is it increasingly popular?
Goat's milk is an alternative to cow's milk, often acclaimed for its better digestibility and exceptional nutritional properties. Rich in proteins, vitamins and minerals, its composition is closer to that of human breast milk, making it easier to assimilate. Its slightly stronger taste may come as a surprise, but it is appreciated for its creaminess and natural richness.
Naturally lower in lactose, it is better suited to people who have difficulty digesting cow's milk. Its content of short- and medium-chain fatty acids also makes it lighter on the digestive system, while offering essential benefits for intestinal health, skin and immunity.
What are the benefits of goat's milk for digestion, immunity and skin?
Goat's milk is renowned above all for its superior digestibility compared to cow's milk. Thanks to the small size of its fat globules and its high content of medium-chain triglycerides, it is better assimilated by the body and causes less digestive discomfort. It is therefore ideal for people suffering from digestive sensitivities, bloating or mild lactose intolerance.
Its high protein and essential amino acid content makes it an excellent food for maintaining muscle mass and cell function. Compared with cow's milk, it is richer in A2 casein, a protein better tolerated by the intestine, thus limiting the inflammatory and allergic reactions common with cow's milk.
On the immune front, goat's milk contains prebiotic oligosaccharides, which promote optimal balance of the intestinal microbiota. By nourishing the gut's good bacteria, it helps strengthen natural defenses and limit gastrointestinal infections. What's more, its zinc and selenium content supports the immune system and plays a protective role against viral and bacterial infections.
One of the best-known benefits of goat's milk is its beneficial effect on the skin. It is naturally rich in lactic acid, which gently exfoliates and promotes cell renewal. Its concentration in vitamins A and E, with their antioxidant properties, helps prevent skin ageing and soothe skin prone to redness and irritation. For this reason, it is widely used in the manufacture of soaps and moisturizing creams for dry, sensitive or atopic skin (eczema, psoriasis).
Finally, it is an excellent source of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, essential minerals for healthy bones and teeth. Contrary to popular belief, goat's milk contains as much or even more calcium than cow's milk, but is better assimilated by the body thanks to its biochemical structure.
How should goat's milk be consumed on a daily basis?
Goat's milk can be enjoyed hot or cold, as you prefer. Its slightly more full-bodied taste than that of cow's milk may take some getting used to, but there are milder, slightly sweeter versions for those new to this alternative.
In the kitchen, it's a perfect substitute for cow's milk in recipes for pastries, sauces, pancakes and purées. It adds a natural creaminess to preparations, while offering improved digestibility. It is also used in the manufacture of goat's cheese, which comes in a variety of forms, from fresh to dry, as well as refined or flavored.
It is also available in the form of yoghurts and fermented drinks, ideal for improving intestinal microbiota and strengthening digestive flora. Those wishing to incorporate more goat's milk into their diet can opt for dilutable goat's milk powders, particularly convenient for people on the move.
Does goat's milk have any side effects or contraindications?
Although more easily digested, goat's milk still contains lactose, albeit in lesser proportions than cow's milk. People with severe lactose intolerance should therefore avoid it or test a small quantity before including it regularly in their diet.
People allergic to cow's milk protein (CMP) should also be vigilant, as even though goat's milk contains a different form of casein, it can provoke reactions in sensitive individuals.
Finally, because of its saturated fat content, it should be consumed in moderation by people on strict cholesterol diets, although it contains more easily digestible fatty acids than cow's milk.
How to choose quality goat's milk?
To reap the full benefits of goat's milk, we recommend that you opt for organically-farmed goat's milk, which guarantees healthy goat feed and the absence of pesticides or antibiotics in the final product.
Preferred criteria include:
