Have you ever tasted camel milk? Milk from animals that are often found in desert areas such as the Middle East contains a variety of nutrients that are good for body health, you know. Even so, there are some things that need to be considered before consuming camel milk.
Not much different from cow's milk, camel milk has a sweet taste and is not too salty and has a nice texture creamy. In Indonesia, camel milk is not as popular as cow's milk or goat's milk. This is because the distribution of camel milk in Indonesia is still very limited.
These are the various benefits of camel milk
The content of calories, protein, and carbohydrates in camel milk is more or less equivalent to fresh cow's milk. However, the sugar and saturated fat content of camel milk is lower than other types of milk.
In addition, camel milk is also a source of healthy fats which are also full of vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and phosphorus.
Thanks to the many nutrients contained in camel milk, it's no wonder that this milk provides a variety of health benefits. Here are a series of benefits of camel milk that are a pity to miss:
1. Alternative for people with cow's milk allergy or lactose intolerance
Camel milk contains a different type of protein from cow's milk, so it can be an option for people with cow's milk allergy. In addition, camel milk also contains less lactose than cow's milk, so it may still be acceptable for people with lactose intolerance.
This is evidenced by a study involving 25 people with lactose intolerance. The results of this study stated that only two people experienced mild reactions after drinking camel milk, but the other participants did not experience any complaints.
2. Overcoming diarrhea
For those of you who often experience diarrhea, try ok camel milk. This milk has long been used as a diarrhea medicine. A study shows that camel milk contains antibodies that can fight viruses that cause diarrhea.
3. Lowers blood sugar levels and improves insulin sensitivity
Camel milk has been shown to lower blood sugar levels and improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. zinc which can help increase the ability of cells to absorb blood sugar.
A study showed that adults with type 1 diabetes who drank camel milk daily had more stable blood sugar levels. However, consumption of camel milk must still be accompanied by a healthy lifestyle and regular use of insulin.
4. Boost the immune system
Camel milk contains lactoferrin compounds and immunoglobulins, proteins that can boost the immune system. In the body, lactoferrin acts as an antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant so that the body can be protected from various diseases.
Besides that, whey protein Camel milk is also thought to have antioxidant properties that can protect body cells from damage caused by free radicals and disease-causing bacteria or viruses.
5. Improve brain function
Camel milk is believed to be useful for improving brain function in children with behavioral disorders. This is reinforced by a number of studies on children with autism. Even so, camel milk still cannot be used as a substitute for autism therapy.
Camel milk is also thought to be beneficial for people with neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease. However, further research is needed to prove this benefit.
The benefits of camel milk for health look very interesting, right? Unfortunately, the price of this milk tends to be more expensive than other types of milk. In addition, camel milk is also generally not pasteurized first.
Unpasteurized milk can increase the risk of food poisoning, infection, and even kidney failure. Unpasteurized camel milk is also known to contain the virus that causes MERS (Middle East respiratory syndrome) which is highly infectious and dangerous.
Therefore, make sure you choose camel milk that has been pasteurized to get the benefits and consume this milk in moderation. For example, a healthy amount of camel milk consumption for diabetics is 2 cups or 500 ml a day.
To be safe, consult a doctor first before consuming camel milk, especially if it is intended for people who have certain health conditions, children, pregnant women, and the elderly.
