A2 Milk: What is this, better than regular milk?

Once upon a time, milk offered three options: whole, low-fat and skimmed. Maybe it’s chocolate, if you’re lucky.

Now, there seem to be a lot Milk variety Due to bad breakfast cereals: nut milk, flax milk, Oat milkgoat milk. The lesser-known variety you might encounter in a grocery store is A2 milk.

What is A2 Milk?

A2 milk is milk that mainly contains A2β-protein, which is said to be easier for your body to digest and absorb. It is different from most American milk, which contains a mixture of A2β-protein and A1β-protein.

First promoted by New Zealand A2 Milk CompanyA2 milk was first sold in 2003 and has grown to $2 billion industry.

According to the company, More than 29,000 retailers All over the United States, including large stores such as Costco and Walmart. Like regular milk, A2 can be used in full, reducing fat and skim varieties.

A1 Milk and A2 Milk

A2 milk manufacturer claims that some people have difficulty digesting A1β-protein and may interfere with healthy blood sugar levels. (Neither study of both claims; more information within a second.)

Casein is the largest proteome in milk, including 82% of its total protein content. The remaining 18% are more common Whey protein. have 13 different types Casein; A1 and A2 are the most common.

How is A2 milk made and what makes it unique?

A2 milk is produced by cows with genetic variation that produces milk containing A2β-protein and lacks A1β-protein. Cows with milk containing A2β-protein are found primarily in parts of Asia, Africa and Southern Europe. Western cattle milk usually contains A1β-protein.

Alleged benefits of A2 milk

So, is there any benefit to A2 milk over regular milk? “It’s hard to answer this question because most of the research on A2 milk is funded by A2 milk companies and the dairy industry, which have a proving interest.” Dana HunnesSenior Dietitian at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Dr. Rd, RD, MPH.

These are some of the claims about A2 Milk:

1. Easier to digest

one study Funded by A2 Milk Company, it was found that A1 Beta-Casein requires some people to digest longer, which can lead to indigestion, bloating and gasoline. one 2019 Research Review It may be true that human research is limited and more is needed.

But, A study Performed by Purdue University, lactose smart participants showed fewer gastrointestinal symptoms after consuming A2 milk than traditional milk.

2. Promote healthier blood sugar

according to California Dairy Research FoundationSince the 1980s, some researchers have made unfounded claims that milk containing A1β-protein may lead to unhealthy blood sugar levels and even impair cardiovascular function.

The so-called culprit: BCM-7, Amino acids The chain produced when digesting A1β-protein. The theory is that BCM-7 may cause disease in immunodeficient patients. However, humans have no scientific evidence to support this.

Possible risks of A2 milk

The risks associated with A2 milk are almost no different from the risks associated with most milk.

Lactose intolerance

A2 milk contains the same amount of lactose as regular milk. People diagnosed with lactose intolerance may suffer the same digestive disorder while drinking either type of milk.

allergy

Since A2 milk is still milk, it can cause an allergic reaction in people who are allergic to milk.