A2 Milk is The Best Source of Calcium in Our Diet
Calcium is an important nutrient for overall wellbeing. From bones to the central nervous system, almost every part, every cell in our body uses calcium in some way. Calcium is specifically important for our bones to maintain their strength. The nutrients get depleted with age and can increase the risk of suffering from osteopenia and osteoporosis. Hence it is important to supplement the diet with foods that can provide that daily dose of calcium.
Milk has become synonymous with calcium, and it can be found in every household. But does your conventional milk contain enough calcium to keep your bones strong? Before we answer this question, let us understand more about the proteins present in the milk.
The underwhelming aspects of conventional milk:
Milk is one of the most nutritious foods. Regular packaged milk mainly contains two types of proteins – casein and whey. It has been observed that casein contributes to almost 80 percent of milk proteins. However, casein’s two variants – A1 and A2 is what makes all the nutritional difference. A1 milk protein which produces BCM-7 peptides when disintegrated is absorbed in the small intestine. Doctors suggest that these peptides not only cause stomach discomfort due to inflammation, but also consist of low levels of calcium.
For patients who have been advised to consume a specific amount of calcium on a daily basis, consuming conventional milk may not fulfill the daily requirement. This may increase the risk of suffering from calcium deficiency and its related illnesses.
A2 milk: A better option for your daily dose of calcium
The other casein protein, A2 protein has a lot of nutritional benefits over A1 protein. For starters, milk that contains only A2 protein has a similar genetic structure to that of human breast milk. Thus, enables our gut to digest and break down A2 proteins. Some studies have shown that A2 milk has a higher level of calcium when compared with conventional milk that contains both A1 and A2 proteins. It has been observed that a cup of A2 milk contains almost 400mg of calcium as opposed to nearly 300mg of calcium present in conventional milk.
Where can I find A2 milk?
Most cows today are genetically crossbred with foreign breeds as it was profitable for dairy farmers. Consequently, these cows started producing more milk containing both A1 and A2 protein. Soon, this type of milk capitalised the world dairy market. However, the crossbreeding came with its own set of the underwhelming nutritional values as highlighted by health experts. Thus, the importance of A2 milk came into the limelight.
Apart from some European cow breeds, cows originally bred in our country produce A2 milk. Desi cow breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, and Tharparkar cows genetically produce A2 milk which is rich in calcium. Many nutritionists, doctors, and health experts now recommend A2 cow milk citing its health benefits.
Switch to A2 milk today for your daily dose of calcium
Looking at the comparison between A1 and A2 proteins and the health benefits of A2milk, it is highly recommended to make a switch to desi cow milk. Sahiwal or Gir cow milk can not only assist in better digestion but can also efficiently supplement calcium levels, thereby keeping bone-related issues at bay. It is equally important to consult a nutritionist or doctor to discuss the benefits involved before switching to A2 milk.