Used to drinking milk, have you ever thought of trying something different? Recently, as a new type of dairy product, goat milk is appearing on more and more people's dining tables. While many are trying it for novelty or to follow a trend, they are also paying close attention to its nutritional value. So, is goat milk actually good for you, and who is it suitable for?
A variety of goat milk products have quietly emerged. Recently, on the drink menus of some restaurants in Beijing, goat yogurt has become quite popular; in some large supermarkets, goat milk can also be found, and a supermarket in Dalian has even set up a special goat milk section, offering not only regular goat milk and deodorized goat milk, but also various "goat milk products" such as goat yogurt, goat cheese, and goat milk powder.
P>“Goat milk, like cow's milk, can be made into a wide variety of dairy products and can have its flavor altered to suit different people's preferences. The popularity of goat milk is not actually accidental,” said Song Konggang, Chairman of the China Dairy Industry Association, in an interview with reporters. He pointed out that goat milk has long been a common dairy product in some countries and regions, such as Australia, New Zealand, and China's northern Shaanxi and Inner Mongolia areas. It was just not widely available in the market due to its small production scale. However, because goats reproduce quickly and have a short cycle, many enterprises have entered the field in recent years. Coupled with continuously improving production technology, this has led to an increasingly rich variety of goat milk products, making them quietly popular.Small particles, easy to absorb, it is known as the "King of Milk." "Goat milk is mild in nature, non-toxic, it supplements cold deficiency, warms the body, moistens the heart and lungs, quenches thirst, treats weakness, and replenishes vital energy," states the "Compendium of Materia Medica" by the Ming Dynasty pharmacologist Li Shizhen, which lists the many benefits of goat milk. In the international nutrition community, goat milk is even honored with the title "King of Milk," and its nutritional value is highly esteemed.
P>“Compared to other dairy products, goat milk indeed has many advantages,” said Nan Qingxian, a professor at the College of Food Science at China Agricultural University. Firstly, goat milk is rich in nutrients, containing over 200 different substances, including 64 types of lactic acid, 20 amino acids, 20 vitamins, and 25 minerals, all of which are essential for the human body. Secondly, the fat particles in goat milk are small, one-third the size of those in cow's milk, and are uniform in size, which means its nutrients are absorbed quickly, the digestion time is short, it doesn't cause "heatiness" or constipation, and is less likely to lead to obesity. Additionally, goat milk contains a large amount of whey protein and does not contain the foreign protein in cow's milk that can cause allergies, so it won't cause allergic symptoms like stomach discomfort or diarrhea. However, Nan Qingxian also pointed out that some people experience diarrhea from drinking milk due to lactose intolerance. Although goat milk has less lactose than cow's milk, it can still cause symptoms in some lactose-intolerant individuals.Fermentation eliminates the goat-like flavor. “Goat milk is nutritious and suitable for a wide range of people,” said Song Konggang. It is a good choice for teenagers who are growing, middle-aged people who are overworked, and the elderly with weak constitutions. In particular, people with poor digestion or low resistance might consider drinking more goat milk. Nan Qingxian, however, pointed out that for infants, it is best to choose goat milk powder, as it contains various supplements and is more nutritious than fresh milk. As the production of goat milk powder increases, this type of product can be chosen for infants.
Many people dislike the "goaty" flavor in goat milk. Nan Qingxian said that many goat milk products on the market now undergo special deodorization processes while preserving the milk's natural aroma. Furthermore, after fermentation, the "goaty" flavor is significantly reduced. So, if you don't like the flavor but are worried that deodorization might damage the nutritional value, you can choose fermented products like goat yogurt and goat cheese.