Your health benefits from donkey milk are numerous. It is a well-liked substitute for cow milk and is nutritionally comparable to breast milk from an adult. Compared to cow’s milk, it has a lot less fat, more nutrients, and lactose. Because it contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, donkey milk is also beneficial for the skin. This nutrient-dense beverage was formerly prized by Cleopatra for its ability to rejuvenate skin. Because it includes natural antibacterial components and improves heart and bone health, it is also a fantastic option for babies. This article describes how to consume donkey milk and the health benefits it has. Look at this.
What Is Donkey Milk?
Domesticated donkeys generate donkey milk (Equus asinus). There are donkeys, which are members of the horse family, in several regions of Asia, Europe, and Africa. Their milk is thin and white, and it tastes sweet and has a pleasant creamy scent. But donkey milk doesn’t have a lingering flavor.
The beverage may alternatively be referred to as jenny milk or ass milk (as jenny denotes a female donkey). It is well-liked since it is the most nutritionally equivalent to human breast milk and has a high nutritional value. Donkey milk is hence a preferred option for babies and young children.
Donkey milk is identical to cow’s milk and goat’s milk, despite not being widely available on grocery store shelves, according to Christine VanDoren, CN, CPT. It has been used for years, mostly for medical purposes, and it could be able to provide you a lot of advantages!
In Europe, donkey milk is highly coveted. It was traditionally used to treat ulcers, surgical wounds, coughs, and arthritis. Cleopatra, the Egyptian queen, used it to moisturize and soften her skin. In France and Italy, donkey milk may be found in soaps and creams.
Due to their tiny udders, donkeys produce less milk than other farmed animals. One liter of milk, or around four cups, is produced per day by a jenny, for instance. Donkey milk is therefore difficult to get and pricey.
The hefty cost of donkey milk hasn’t diminished its appeal. Instead, its enormous advantages and rich nutritional profile are what draw health aficionados. Review the nutrition information for donkey milk below.
Nutritional Information Of Donkey Milk
A 100 mL of donkey milk contains:
The amount of lactose, total protein, and whey protein in donkey and human milk is comparable. Donkey milk powder is healthier and more easily digestible than cow milk powder.
High levels of whey protein (49.08% of total protein) and important fatty acids like linoleic acid can be found in donkey milk. It contains vitamins A, C, and D as well as minerals like calcium and selenium and has a low fat and cholesterol level. It is a powerful antioxidant element thanks to these nutrients, which may also aid increase immunity. For more information on the health advantages of donkey milk, continue reading.
Potential Benefits Of Donkey Milk
1. Great Option For Infant Nutrition
Donkey milk is similar to human milk in terms of its nutritional content, protein makeup, and hypoallergenic qualities.
Milk from donkeys has a lot of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Given its high level of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and low ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids, it may be useful as a functional meal for human nutrition, especially for young children and the elderly.
Donkey’s milk is a great alternative to human milk since it has nine times as much taurine as cow’s milk. An essential vitamin that supports newborn development is taurine. Because the human body cannot make taurine, it must be received from outside sources.
For this reason, throughout the early 19th century, donkey milk was given to young children who were ailing and old patients.
2. Great For People With Cow Milk Allergy
According to VanDoren, “Casein and whey are nearly equally distributed in each serving, making it more allergen-friendly than cow’s milk, which mostly includes casein.”
2-7% of kids who drink cow’s milk formula have a reaction to the proteins in the milk. Studies have shown that donkey milk with sunflower oil added may be used in place of cow milk.
In a research, 81 kids with cow milk allergies were able to digest donkey milk without experiencing any allergic reactions or negative consequences on their growth and weight.
3. May Fight Against Infections
Lactoferrin, fatty acids, immunoglobulins, and lysozyme are all abundant in donkey milk and all have inherent antibacterial qualities. It works well against harmful microorganisms including Salmonella, Enterococcus, Escherichia, and Listeria.
4. May Reduce Inflammation
According to a mouse research, drinking donkey milk can lower inflammation by boosting levels of antimicrobial peptides. Additionally, it can initiate anti-inflammatory signals, which lowers inflammation and preserves normal health.
5. May Promote Skin Health
Donkey milk contains vital fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants that help improve skin health. The majority of the advantages are due to milk proteins, which have all the amino acids required for skin barrier regeneration and protection. Donkey milk is great for milk baths and as a moisturizer.
6. May Strengthen Bones
Donkey milk contains lactose, which helps the bones-building minerals calcium, phosphorus, and other to be absorbed. It also improves bone strength and quality.
According to VanDoren, “It is also exceptionally rich in vitamin D, giving you 23% of your daily requirements in just three ounces. Strong bones, better immunological function, and calcium absorption all depend on vitamin D.
7. May Promote Heart Health
Donkey milk has a low n-6 to n-3 fatty acid ratio and is high in polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly linoleic acid. It also has high levels of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and low values of atherogenic (the propensity of fatty deposits in the arteries) and thrombogenic indices (the tendency to form clots in the blood vessels).
These variables also lower cholesterol, prevent blood clots, lessen the risk of coronary heart disease, hypertension, and thrombosis (formation of a blood clot), in addition to their immune-stimulatory effects.
8. May Promote Digestion
Due to the high lactose content of donkey milk, gut bacteria growth is encouraged. Its high whey protein to casein ratio makes it simple for a baby to digest and absorb the nutrition.
9. May Help Manage Diabetes
Consuming donkey milk powder might enhance insulin resistance and lower blood glucose levels, according to a research on type 2 diabetic rats.
For newborns with cow milk allergies, cerebrovascular disorders, or diabetes mellitus, donkey milk and powder are preferable. This nutrient-rich drink is referred to as a “pharma food.” Find out below how to include this healthy milk in your diet.
How To Add Donkey Milk To Your Diet
Donkey milk may be used to make sweet baked items like cakes and pastries or savory meals like soups and noodles. Start the day off with a cup of milk, cereal, or a donkey milk latte. It is a great option for youngsters and has a delightfully mild flavor.
You may purchase donkey milk in the following forms:
- Raw donkey milk: Always boil the raw milk before consuming it. You can refrigerate raw milk for 3 days.
- Pasteurized donkey milk: Due to the minimal likelihood of disease infection, it is safer. It is fortified with vitamins and minerals in certain commercial products.
- Freeze-dried donkey milk powder: Powdered milk can be reconstituted with water. It has a two-year shelf life. You may drink it right away because it is produced from pasteurized donkey milk.
- Fermented donkey milk (kumis): In Central Asia, kumis are often utilized. Additionally, fermented equid (a species of horse) milk is traditionally consumed in Central Asia.
- Cheese: Magarei sir, often known as “pule cheese,” is a cheese produced in Serbia using 60% donkey milk and 40% goat milk. One of the most costly cheeses produced from genuine donkey milk from the Balkans.
You may use donkey milk in the following recipes and enjoy its deliciousness.
Potential Side Effects Of Donkey Milk
Donkey milk can be useful as a dietary supplement and a source of nutrients for people who are allergic to cow milk. But donkey milk has more lactose than milk from ruminants. Because of this, it is not suited for lactose intolerant individuals, who make up between 10% and 60% of the population.
VanDoren asserts that while drinking donkey milk has numerous advantages, there are also some drawbacks. It will have the same negative effects on lactose intolerant people as cow’s milk, including gas, bloating, and other digestive problems.
Raw donkey milk is frequently purchased or consumed. In some circumstances, this may be dangerous.
The risk of consuming raw donkey milk is also mentioned by the speaker. It could have toxic germs within that might be detrimental to your body.
Donkey milk should be boiled or pasteurized before consumption to prevent health issues. It shouldn’t be a big deal to use raw milk for aesthetic purposes, but make sure to speak with your dermatologist first.
Last but not least, it is difficult to find, she adds. It is largely consumed in Europe, and donkey milk is not a widespread beverage. This means that getting it delivered to your front door would be pricey if you lived somewhere else.
The Last Word
Donkey milk has advantages beyond just its delightfully sweet taste. This naturally occurring liquid with a wealth of nutrients resembles breast milk in many ways. In Europe, it was customarily used to feed infants and people who were elderly. Compared to cow milk, donkey milk has less allergies. It can aid in a child’s growth and development since it is filled with calcium, zinc, magnesium, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, and vitamins A, C, D, and E. Additionally beneficial to bone and heart health, donkey milk. However, it contains a lot of lactose. Therefore, if you are lactose intolerant, stay away from it.