Around 81 per cent of the world’s milk is currently sourced by cows, which isn’t really a surprising statistic. It’s a wide gap between cow’s milk and the second most common source, goat’s, which are followed by sheep and buffaloes. All the way back in fifth place is camel’s milk. But what might surprise you is that according to new research, camel milk might actually be the healthiest option.
A new study from Edith Cowan University suggests that camel milk may offer a unique set of health benefits, particularly for gut health and those with dairy allergies.
The study, led by PhD student Manujaya Jayamanna Mohittige, found that camel milk has a higher concentration of naturally occurring bioactive peptides than cow’s milk. These peptides showed antimicrobial and anti-hypertensive properties, which could contribute to overall gut health and potentially lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.
“These bioactive peptides can selectively inhibit certain pathogens, and by doing so, create a healthy gut environment,” Mohittige explained.
Additionally, camel’s milk lacks the major milk allergen β-lactoglobulin (β-Lg) found in other types of milk, making it a solid alternative for people with β-Lg allergies.
What are the nutritional benefits of camel milk?
Nutritionally, camel milk differs from cow’s milk in several key aspects. It typically contains between 87 per cent and 90 per cent water, with protein levels ranging from 2.15 per cent to 4.90 per cent, fat between 1.2 per cent and 4.5 per cent, and lactose levels between 3.5 per cent and 4.5 per cent.
In comparison, cow’s milk consists of 85 per cent to 87 per cent water, with fat content ranging from 3.8 per cent to 5.5 per cent, protein from 2.9 per cent to 3.5 per cent, and lactose at around 4.6 per cent.
These variations make camel’s milk a potentially better option for those looking for a lower-fat, lower-lactose, higher-protein dairy product that still carries all the same essential nutrients.
Where can you get camel milk in Australia?
Despite being, by all accounts, nutritionally better for you than cow’s milk, camel milk remains a very niche product that is tough to find in stores.
That being said, given Australia’s large camel population, there a few brands that have started producing camel milk. Look for brands like The Camel Milk Co, Q Camel and Humpalicious. Some Harris Farm markets also stock camel milk.
