Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Published : February 17, 2017 1:37 PM IST
A few years back, there was a craze about goat's milk being good for health. Recently, there were rumours that goat's milk helps treat dengue. Now, people are going ga-ga over camel's milk. Even the Food Safety & Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has put camel milk on its list of animal products that can be marketed for human consumption. So if you are already having camel milk or are planning to have it, read what our expert has to say.
Mrs Suvarna Sawant, Chief Dietician, Jaslok Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai says, "It seems to be better than cow's milk, but the evidence is not backed by good studies or research on the health benefits of camel milk." However, there are few reasons why camel milk might be healthier than cow's milk. Here are few facts that have been observed about camel milk.
1. Camel milk is low in fat, i.e; it has just 1.5 to 2.5 percent of fat, which is almost half of cow's milk. Moreover, it is also low cholesterol, which makes it a preferred option for people with a risk of heart disease.
2. Camel milk has very less lactose. Hence it can be easily digested, unlike cow's milk. Moreover, if you are lactose intolerant, then replacing cow's milk with camel's milk might do more good than harm. Here's everything you need to know about lactose intolerance.
3. It is rich in antioxidants. Camel milk is almost three times richer in vitamin C content as compared to cow milk. Hence, it goes without saying that antioxidant-rich camel milk can lower your risk of suffering from infections and disease.
4. Camel milk has more protein content than cow's milk. Hence, if you are planning to up your protein intake, then opting camel milk might be a good idea.
5. It boosts the immune system and hence can be beneficial in autoimmune disorders. Not only this, camel milk can help in the prevention and treatment of cancer, skin disorders, allergies, heart disease and diabetes.
Can everyone drink camel milk?
Although camel milk has high vitamin and protein content and low-fat content, it is rich in minerals like, zinc, potassium, copper, sodium and magnesium, which can have adverse effects in people suffering from renal (kidney) disorders, Wilsons disease or other liver disorders. Also, any type of milk for human consumption has to be investigated thoroughly with proper research. Since there is no proper research on the matter yet, it would be wise to stay away from camel milk. You might also like to read about cow milk vs. buffalo milk -- which is healthier?
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