A1 vs A2 Milk: Which Milk Is Healthier For You & Why
For India kids “The Milk Story” is more relatable than “The Big Bang Theory”. The benefits of pure milk in the human body are well known, especially in a country like India where drinking milk has always been a cultural practice for years. It has been used in spiritual activities right from ancient times when everyone owned a cow as the only source of fresh milk.
However, we are no longer in that phase and following the same, so there has been a notable change in milk consumption today. We are solely dependent on the packed milk that is available in the market. No wonder in saying that everyone knows that A1 is currently marketed as a healthier choice, hence most people are choosing A1 milk over A2 milk. A1 milk is easily available, which raises a new question: why A2 milk is not available everywhere and what is the difference between A1 milk & A2 milk. So, here in the battle of A1 milk vs A2 milk, we will differentiate and enlighten you about the benefits of both.
What is the Difference Between A1 & A2 Milk?
Today, when health consciousness is influencing people of all ages, it is essential to start from the basics because if the pillars are not strong the building can go down every now & then. So, let’s start with milk, which is a good source of protein (casein & whey). Though both A1 & A2 types of milk contain protein. To make a health decision, it is a must to understand the difference between two types of milk.
Basically, A1 milk is collected from A1 cows of western breeds like Holstein, Friesian, Jersey, etc. While the only source of A2 milk is obtained from A2 cows that are mainly found in India like Gir, Sahiwal, and Kankrej. Indian cows may give less milk but the quality of protein is higher than A1 cows.
Now, to know the story behind these A1 Cows & A2 Cows, we have to look back at the time. The origin of A1 cows in Indian dates back to 1970, Operation Flood in India. Development was at the peak at that time and the population was increasing rapidly. Current resources couldn’t meet the demand of people because Indian breeds of cows couldn’t produce that much milk.
So, while the country was going through low milk production, Dr. Varghese Kurien, who is called the father of the White Movement suggested that A1 cows can produce more milk than A2 cows. Hence, the government allows him to process. But, because A1 cows were hybridized with pigs, A1 milk was less nutritious than A2 milk.
However, both types of milk are obtained from cows, but there is a notable difference between the chemical components. There is a difference between the ratio of Lactose (carbohydrate component) and fatty acids (fat component) in both types of milk. Also, it can be differentiated in terms of quality because the A1 type of milk has A1 protein (casein) and A2 milk contains (BETA-casein). This is really important to understand because the way milk processes in the body are different.
Hence proved that A2 milk is healthier for your body but why? Read on to know what makes A2 milk superior to the A1 type of milk.
Which Milk Is Healthier for Your Body?
A1 milk is often digested in the small intestine to produce peptide, which is called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7). It enables the intestine to absorb BCM-7 and then dissolves into the blood. It may cause stomach discomfort, headache, nausea, etc.
On the other hand, A2 milk is compared to human breast milk, as well as milk from goats, sheep, and buffalo. A2 milk is easily digested and beneficial in brain development too. Hence, the A2 type of milk is safe when compared to A1 milk.
This is the story of milk, which remains the same in every country. But make sure that the milk has been obtained from the Indian breed of cows. It is easy to find a difference between A1 cows and A2 cows. We will cover this in another article.