Is A2 Milk A Better Choice Than Conventional Milk?

Is A2 Milk A Better Choice Than Conventional Milk?

Milk has been a staple in the Indian diet for ages and is considered a vital source of important vitamins and minerals. Being considered a healthy beverage, there weren’t many studies done into different varieties of milk, its advantages and disadvantages etc. until milk consumption started to increase significantly, over the years. According to one of the studies on Statista, the global dairy market was valued at 827.4 billion U.S. dollars in 2020 and was projected to grow to about 1128 billion U.S. dollars by 2026.

 

 With the increase in the global demand for milk, there has been a spread of awareness with regards to the difference between conventional milk and A2 milk. A2 milk is considered healthier when compared to the usual one due to certain factors. It is also an expensive option over usual milk, which sometimes discourages consumers to buy A2 milk and in turn, makes them overlook the benefits associated with it.

Why is A2 cow milk expensive when compared to conventional one? What are the benefits associated with A2 milk? What is the expert’s take on A2 milk? Let’s find it out.

 

 

What is A2 milk?

When compared to A2 milk, regular milk contains both A1 beta-casein protein and A2 beta-casein protein. It is said that A2 cow milk is healthier than A1 milk and is generally extracted from pure Indian cows. The benefits of Indian milk ( also used to churn out A2 ghee or Desi Ghee) have been well-known in the Indian community for ages. But it was not until people in the west started choosing A2 milk over conventional one, they popularized the health benefits of A2 milk. This urged the food authorities across the globe to research the health hazards associated with regular milk, while also proving the health benefits of  A2 milk.  

 

How are A2 milk producing cows different from usual ones and what makes A2 milk expensive?

 The cows that produce A2 milk have a natural genetic variation when compared to other crossbred cows which produce milk having both A1 and A2 protein. A1 and A2 beta casein proteins differ in their structure by a single amino acid. The fact that there are fewer cows that produce A2 milk and are generally found in India, as compared to the rest of the world, makes A2 milk usually more expensive.

 

What are the health benefits of A2 milk and A2 ghee?

  • High levels of Omega 3 fatty acids present in A2 ghee help in reducing cholesterol deposits from blood vessels, which keeps cardiovascular health in check.
  • A2 Milk / Ghee also helps in increasing brain power as it contains Cerebrosides.
  • It is said that A2 milk / Ghee enhances immunity as it has strontium present in it.
  • What provides A2 milk / Ghee with an edge over conventional milk is that it is said to be more nutritious and is free from allergens which makes it tolerable for lactose tolerant people and people suffering from IBS.

 

Experts take and research

The European Food Safety Authority(EFSA) in their research found out that milk containing A1 and A2 protein does not have any significant adverse effects on health. But the claims of EFSA were completely defied by a paper published in the nutrition journal. Their research concluded that milk containing A1 beta-casein protein was associated with increased gastrointestinal inflammation, worsening PD3 symptoms and was causing a significant decline in cognitive function.