Is buffalo milk lactose-free?
No. Buffalo milk contains lactose, about the same amount as cow's milk. A peer-reviewed comparison measured 4.66% lactose in buffalo milk and 4.68% in cow milk, and a 2025 review gives 45 to 52 g per liter for buffalo against 46 to 50 g per liter for cow. If you are lactose intolerant, talk to a doctor or dietitian before using it.
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In this article
Does buffalo milk have lactose?
Yes. A study comparing the milk of four species measured these averages: cows 4.68% lactose, buffalo 4.66%, sheep 4.67% and goats 4.63%, with no significant difference in lactose between them. A review of buffalo milk reports 45 to 52 g per liter of lactose, compared with 46 to 50 g per liter for bovine milk, and calls this comparable or slightly higher.
Is water buffalo milk lactose free?
The research above covers buffalo milk generally, and the same result applies: no source we read shows water buffalo milk as lactose-free. Values vary somewhat with breed and the stage of lactation.
What is in buffalo milk?
| Per 100 g, USDA | Indian buffalo milk, fluid | Whole cow milk, 3.25% fat |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 97 kcal | 61 kcal |
| Protein | 3.75 g | 3.15 g |
| Carbohydrate | 5.18 g | 4.8 g |
| Calcium | 169 mg | 113 mg |
USDA does not break out lactose for this record, but lactose is the main milk carbohydrate. The study above found buffalo milk higher in fat (4.80% vs 2.78% for cow milk in that sample).
What about lactose intolerance?
The NIDDK explains that lactose is a sugar naturally found in milk and milk products. Because buffalo milk has about as much lactose as cow’s milk, it is not a safe swap for people who react to lactose. We found no official source that recommends buffalo milk for lactose intolerance. A doctor can advise on lactase products or other options.
Is buffalo cheese lactose-free?
We found no official source that gives lactose levels for buffalo cheese, so we cannot say.
People also ask
Is buffalo milk lactose free?
No. Studies measure about 4.7% lactose in buffalo milk, essentially the same as cow's milk (4.66% vs 4.68% in one comparison).
Is buffalo milk good for lactose intolerance?
We found no official source recommending it. It contains about as much lactose as cow's milk, so ask a doctor or dietitian.
How much lactose is in buffalo milk?
About 4.66% in one peer-reviewed study, and 45 to 52 g per liter in a review of buffalo milk.
Sources
- National Library of Medicine (PMC): Evaluation of Different Chemical and Physical Components of Milk in Cows, Buffalos, Sheep, and Goats, read 5 Nov 2026
- National Library of Medicine (PMC): Buffalo milk: nutritional composition, bioactive properties, and advances in processing technologies, read 5 Nov 2026
- USDA FoodData Central: Milk, indian buffalo, fluid (FDC 171280), read 5 Nov 2026
- NIDDK: Definition & Facts for Lactose Intolerance, read 5 Nov 2026
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