Nathalie Djabrayan
Senior Clinical Sports dietitian

 

 

Available in the Middle East, Camel milk is gaining popularity worldwide as a super food with promising health benefits. Camel’s milk is lower in calories and saturated fat than cow’s milk. One glass of camel’s milk is just about 110 calories and 4.5 grams of fat, compared with 150 calories and 8 grams of cow’s milk.

 

 

 

 

Camel milk is considerably higher in iron vitamin B3, and vitamin C than cow’s milk with less lactose, so its suitable for those with lactose intolerance without getting the symptoms associated with drinking cow’s milk. In fact, this milk has actually been shown to reduce lactose intolerance.

 

A surprising source for over 200 proteins
According to King Saud University camel milk contains more than 200 different proteins making it a potent source for boosting the immunity and a good alternative for bulking protein through meat and synthetic supplements.

 

 

Improves gut health and reduces anxiety
According to studies at the University of California, Irvine, Camels milk is rich in neurotransmitters that are essential and highly bioavailable for the brain function and have been thought to help naturally alleviate symptoms of anxiety compared to cow’s milk. To top that off! It’s a richer source of probiotics (the good bacteria) vital for gut health more than that of cow’s.

 

 

 

 

Improves insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes
Studies showed that camel milk consumption was able to reduce insulin resistance. The mechanism behind this is still unclear, however, a steady intake of camel milk is included in the diet, may eliminate the need for insulin injections. If used as a preventative measure, it can also prevent you from developing the disease in the first place.

 

Stimulates Circulation
The high iron content found in camel milk makes it ideal for preventing anemia increasing circulation of the blood and oxygenation to the body’s organ systems. Following childbirth, injury, menstruation or a period of malnutrition, camel milk can significantly help maintain health especially those following a vegan or vegetarian diet.

 

 

Resembles human mother’s milk?
Could camel’s milk resemble the nutritional profile of natural human milk? A study analyzing 20 individual human milk and camel milk samples for fat, total protein, vitamins, and minerals showed that camel milk is considered to be a highly nutritious food and could be considered for therapeutic application especially for infants and toddlers who need milk alternatives, not to mention the benefits this milk has for adults as well.

 

 

Fight cancer with camel milk
If you want to kick off cancer cells, this study may be surprising. Published back in 2012 by the Journal of Biomedicine and Biotechnology states that camel milk (not cow milk) was able to induce cancer cell death!

 

 

 

 

In the gulf, you can find camel lattes to camel chocolates and ice frappes, also available as deserts such as custard, cakes and muhalabiya,not to forget camel milk ice cream found in different flavors, and camel kefir.

 

Harvesting camel milk is quiet expensive, approximately fifty times costlier than cow milk, which makes it considerably pricey, however, it’s health benefits makes it worth the try!
Final Tip: If you are trying camels milk for the first time, start with as little as half a cup, then based on your tolerance level consider larger portions.