For a daily source of dairy that’s gentle on your cutie’s tummy, consider giving him goat’s milk – it’s easily digested and packed with nutrients.
For a daily source of dairy that’s gentle on your cutie’s tummy, consider giving him goat’s milk – it’s easily digested and packed with nutrients.
Milk is an important part of a growing child’s diet – it provides essential calories for energy, calcium and proteins for growth and various nutrients to ensure physical and mental development.
However, proteins found in many dairy products may be difficult to process for the delicate digestive system of babies, toddlers and preschoolers.
Enter goat’s milk, a viable dairy source that may not be on the mainstream radar, but has been the staple source of nutrition for children in some cultures for centuries.
GENTLE ON THE STOMACH
There are two kinds of protein in milk – caseins and whey. Compared to cow’s milk, the type of casein that’s present in goat’s milk results in a softer curd that’s easier for digestive enzymes to access.
To put things into perspective, trypsin – an enzyme present in the stomach – breaks down 96 per cent of goat casein, as compared to just 76 to 90 per cent of cow casein.
Fats are also a key component of milk. There are three types of fatty acids – namely saturated, monosaturated and polyunsaturated – which are metabolised to provide energy. Goat’s milk is said to contain a high proportion of short to medium chain saturated fatty acids that allows intestinal enzymes to digest the fat easier.
RICH IN NUTRIENTS
Goat’s milk packs as much calcium as cow’s milk, and is a rich source of vitamins A and B12, and minerals such as potassium, niacin, copper and selenium. It also contains tryptophan, an essential amino acid which the body uses to help make serotonin, which is said to produce healthy sleep and a stable mood.
Goat’s milk is known for containing more oligosaccharides (a form of carbohydrates) than cow’s milk1, which are said to be effective prebiotics, helping to guard against infections and maintain good digestive health. Researchers have also found that goat’s milk may prevent diseases like anaemia and bone demineralisation2.
With the wide array of formula milk in the market, it may be a mind-boggling exercise to decide the best option for your child. If you are unsure about making the switch to goat’s milk, consult your family doctor or paediatrician.
www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0958694605000385
www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070730100229.htm
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