What are the health benefits of drinking airag?

Does airag have health benefits?

Not proven ones. Airag (also called kumis elsewhere in Central Asia) is fermented mare’s milk, and many sources repeat that it is rich in vitamins and good for digestion or immunity. The page we read that makes these claims says only that Mongolians consider airag to aid digestion and boost immunity, and the research we found is lab work on the drink itself, not trials in people. Treat it as a traditional food, not a health product.

What is in airag?

A study of five airag samples from Ulaanbaatar found lactic acid bacteria and yeasts in large numbers, a sour pH of about 3.5 to 3.9, and lactic acid of roughly 1 to 1.6%. Lactose varied a lot between samples, from almost none to a few percent, because the microbes turn it into lactic acid and alcohol. The authors suggested this might make airag easier for some people with lactose intolerance, but they did not test it in people.

How alcoholic is airag?

The same study measured ethyl alcohol of about 1.44 to 2.33%. Other descriptions say about 2 to 3%, and it varies with fermentation time and season. That is lighter than beer, but it is still an alcoholic drink, so it counts toward your intake.

Probiotic claims

Researchers found several bacteria in airag, and one strain was proposed as a possible probiotic candidate because it survived acid and bile in lab tests. The authors state that more research is needed. That is a long way from a proven benefit.

Who should be careful?

• Anyone avoiding alcohol, including during pregnancy or when driving.
• People who must avoid dairy for allergy reasons. Fermentation does not remove milk protein.
• If you are travelling, ask how the airag was made, since it is a traditional fermented product.

The bottom line

Airag is a sour, slightly fizzy, mildly alcoholic drink that is part of Mongolian hospitality. Enjoy it for what it is, and look to the CDC’s general advice on alcohol: drinking less is better for your health than drinking more.