5 Reasons Why Camel Milk Is Healthier than Cow Milk

It is a known fact and also universally acknowledged that consuming milk everyday will provide the body with all the nutrients and minerals that it requires. However, many of us stop drinking milk as we grow older, as there is difficulty in digesting the high levels of lactose in buffalo or cow milk, as these two are the most widely consumed categories of milk. To overcome this problem, a safer alternative must be thought of, which can be digested easily and has more nutritional value. Well, this is where camel milk comes into the picture!

Camel milk has been consumed by the nomadic cultures for centuries, and has been known for its miraculous properties, such as improving the bone health of infants and also helps in improving various internal diseases. Camel milk is helpful in improving the insulin levels among Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, as it has insulin-like properties. These are just a few of the medicinal benefits of camel milk, and it has been considered to be healthier than cow’s milk.

Here are 5 reasons why it is healthier than cow’s milk:

1. The fat content in camel milk is lower as compared to that of cow and milk gained from other animals. There is a strong positive correlation between the fat and protein content in camel milk. Further, the fat globules that are found in this milk are smaller in size, which make digestion easier and is said to be better than buffalo milk, followed by goat and cow milk. It also has a lower content of carotene, when compared to cow milk or any other type of milk available. Data collected by experts have stated that there is a higher presence of long-chain fatty acids and a lower content of short-chain fatty acids in camel milk as compared to cow milk. It is also said to have a higher number of unsaturated fatty acids, which help in reducing the human serum lipids and also helps in keeping the heart healthy and away from strokes. These unsaturated fatty acids are indirectly linked to improving diabetes, as it contains conjugated linoleic acids, which play a significant role in improving diabetes.
2. Lactose is considered to be the main carbohydrate in the milk produced by all mammals. The lactose content in camels is lower, and it varies, because they usually graze on a wide variety of vegetation, which contains salty bushes of the deserts. Experts have found that the lactose content in camel milk is lower than bovine milk, which makes it a perfect dairy substitute for lactose intolerants. When people with lactose intolerance consume bovine milk, they may see various reactions such as irritations, crampings, etc. Thus, it can be said that camel milk is a healthier and better alternative to cow’s milk for lactose intolerants.
3. Camel milk has a wide variety of vitamins and minerals present, which is said to be higher than that of bovine milk. It is said to be rich in chloride because of the plants and bushes consumed by camels such as Atriplex and Acacia, which have a higher salt content, which may be the reason behind the saltiness of the milk. Camel Milk is rich in zinc, magnesium, iron, and calcium, which are considered to be higher than that of bovine milk. It is further rich in niacin and Vitamin C, and it is also said that it contains five times more Vitamin C than cow milk. The presence of Vitamin C shows the presence of antioxidant properties and it can also act as a successful alternative to Vitamin C under harsh conditions in the desert areas.

Additionally, it acts as a substitute for human milk, as the proteins that are present and their percentage count are similar to that of human milk.

It can be said to be a new protein source for children who are allergic to bovine milk. 

4. Camel milk has antibacterial, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. It contains immunoglobulins, which act as significant elements in protecting the body from deadly viruses and bacteria. Camel milk is said to inhibit both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The concentration of Lactoferrin, Lysozyme and immunoglobulins in camel milk is said to be on the higher side when compared to bovine milk.

For its antioxidant properties, camel milk is said to contain a higher antioxidant activity than bovine milk, as it contains amino acid residues. In a recent study conducted by experts, it was found that when camel milk is consumed and digested, the peptides that are produced, begin to act as natural antioxidants. Cow milk has a lower antioxidant activity as compared to camel milk, as found by experts.

5. Camel milk has a higher concentration of insulin-like substances, it has smaller-sized immunoglobulins, which helps in proper digestion, and camel milk does not coagulate in the human stomach. These aspects of camel milk may be considered as beneficial for diabetics. Oral methods of consuming insulin have been present for many years; however, it may cause coagulation in the stomach, which reduces its ability to maintain the blood sugar and the insulin levels in the body. Camel milk is rich in half cysteine, which has a similar property to that of the insulin family of peptides. As camel milk does not coagulate, it can easily take the insulin-like proteins through the stomach for its absorption in the intestine. Camel milk is seen to have a strong effect in reducing the blood sugar levels and the insulin requirement in type 1 diabetics by 30%. It is effective in improving the long-term glycemic control levels too.

Seeing the wide spectrum of camel milk benefits, w]e can conclude that it is better and healthier than cow and other bovine milk available and it has something in store for everyone. With its beneficial aspects, people are gaining awareness about it and it is generating a lot of buzz today.