What are the benefits of raw buffalo milk?
Buffalo milk is richer than cow milk in fat and calcium, and in one Bangladeshi study its fat was 58 g per kg against 37 to 43 g in cattle milk. But that research measured composition, not health outcomes. Raw (unpasteurized) milk of any animal can carry harmful germs, and the CDC recommends pasteurized milk instead.
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In this article
What is special about buffalo milk?
Buffalo milk is richer than cow milk. A 2014 study in the Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences compared milk from Bangladeshi buffalo with three groups of cattle. The figures below come from that one study; other breeds and countries will differ.
| Per kg of milk | Buffalo | Cattle groups |
|---|---|---|
| Fat | 58.4 g | 37.1 to 43.4 g |
| True protein | 35.0 g | 27.2 to 37.8 g |
| Lactose | 47.5 g | 46.0 to 52.7 g |
| Calcium | 1.48 g | 1.09 to 1.40 g |
So buffalo milk had the most fat and calcium, while protein and lactose were in the same range as cow milk. More fat also means more calories per glass.
Does buffalo milk have health benefits?
The study measured composition only and did not test health effects in people. Its authors point out that buffalo milk had the lowest beta-lactoglobulin, a major milk allergen, and write that this could make it preferable for people with milk allergy, but that was not tested. Do not switch milk for an allergy without medical advice. Claims about immunity, skin or disease prevention are not backed by that paper.
Is raw buffalo milk safe?
Raw means not pasteurized. The CDC says raw milk can carry germs including Campylobacter, Cryptosporidium, E. coli, Listeria, Brucella and Salmonella, and that good farm practices cannot guarantee safety. Children under 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with weakened immune systems face the greatest risk of serious illness. The CDC says pasteurized milk provides the same nutrition without the risks. The CDC page is about milk in general, but the same biology applies to any raw milk.
How should you choose buffalo milk?
- Buy pasteurized buffalo milk.
- Keep perishable foods like milk at 40 degrees F (4 degrees C) or colder, as the CDC advises.
- Expect a rich, creamy milk; check the label for fat content, since it varies.
People also ask
Is buffalo milk healthier than cow milk?
It has more fat and calcium in the study we read, so it is richer, not clearly healthier. No health outcomes were tested.
Is raw buffalo milk safe to drink?
The CDC advises against raw milk because it can carry harmful germs. Pasteurized milk has the same nutrition.
Is buffalo milk good for milk allergy?
One study found less beta-lactoglobulin in it, but allergy suitability was not tested. Ask a doctor.
Sources
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