Since the first, milk has been known as a drink that nourishes the body. Although healthy, but some people have an incompatibility with cow's milk. Recently, a new breed of cow has been discovered which is believed to produce healthier milk than other types of cows. This cow is called the A2 cow. So, what is the difference between milk from A2 cows and milk from other ordinary cows?
As with milk in general, A2 milk is a type of milk produced from dairy cows. It's just that what distinguishes it from ordinary cow's milk is the main protein content of beta-caseins A1 and A2. Generally, regular cow's milk contains these two main types of protein. Meanwhile, the milk from A2 cows only contains A2 beta-casein.
To get quality milk from A2 cows, a series of cow selections using DNA tests are required. This is so that the cows to be milked can produce pure A2 protein.
Types of Cow's Milk Protein
In general, cow's milk contains casein protein about 80 percent of the total protein present. One type of casein protein found in cow's milk is beta-casein. Beta-casein itself contains essential amino acids that are not naturally produced by the body. Beta-casein is what the body needs for the growth of muscle mass, helps strengthen the immune system, and accelerates the development of the digestive system in babies.
Beta-casein can be divided into two forms, namely:
- Beta-casein A1Beta-casein A1 is one of the main types of protein in cow's milk, which is often associated with the appearance of symptoms of digestive disorders related to cow's milk, such as cow's milk allergy, lactose intolerance, stomach pain, gas stomach, energy/nausea, bloating, and diarrhea.
- Beta-casein A2Beta-casein A2 is a type of protein in cow's milk that is believed not to cause digestive disorders, especially for those who have allergies to cow's milk. Not only that, milk from A2 cows which only contains this type of protein is also more easily absorbed by the body because it only contains A2 protein. This is what makes people now start to switch to consuming milk from A2 cows.
Difference between A1 and A2 Protein Proteins
In the digestive process, milk that enters the body will be broken down first by the digestive system, so that it is easily absorbed by the body. Cow's milk which contains A1 protein will be broken down into protein compounds called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7).
These compounds often affect the digestive system and cause indigestion or symptoms similar to a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, such as abdominal pain, bloating, gas and diarrhea. Meanwhile, milk from A2 cows will not be broken down into BCM-7, so it is considered safer for the digestive system.
For this reason, ordinary milk containing A1 protein is considered less good for digestion because it has a higher risk of causing digestive disorders. Several reports have also shown that milk from A2 cows is less likely to cause indigestion than regular milk, although this has not been explained by accurate scientific evidence.
As a new type of milk, milk from cows A2 is recommended for those who experience digestive disorders after consuming milk that contains two types of protein. If you still want to get the benefits of milk from A2 cows, consult your doctor about the effectiveness and benefits of milk from A2 cows for your health.
