Contributed by: Healthians Team
Introduction
There isn’t any doubt that milk is a wonder drink and is packed with high amounts of vitamins and minerals. It is an excellent source of calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth.
From children to adults, doctors recommend milk consumption every day in order to stay fit and cut down the risk of developing chronic diseases.
But when you are presented with the choice between cow and buffalo milk, it becomes difficult to decide which one is better and healthier.
Well, the answer is that both types of milk have their own positives and negatives, with different nutritional profiles and health advantages.
In this post, let us go over the major difference between the two, by looking at the nutritional content of the two.
Cow Milk vs Buffalo Milk Nutrition
Fat
One of the biggest and most important differences between cow milk and buffalo milk is the fat content, which is responsible for the consistency of the milk. When compared to cow milk, buffalo milk has more fat content. Because of this, buffalo milk is thicker than cow milk and has a rich and creamy texture. Cow milk contains 3-4% fat, while buffalo milk contains 7-87 fat. Due to the high percentage of fat, buffalo milk fat keeps you feeling fuller for a longer period of time. If you want are facing issues related to lower muscle mass, and wish to increase muscle mass adding strength to your physique, drink buffalo milk.
Water
Cow’s milk contains a high percentage of water, making it a natural hydrator. Cow milk contains approximately 87% water. So if you want to increase your water intake, choose cow milk. Also, the high amount of water content in cow milk makes it less fattening and is good for those suffering from obesity.
Protein
Cow milk differs from buffalo milk in terms of protein content. When compared to cow milk, buffalo milk contains 10-11 per cent more protein. Due to the high amount of protein in it, It is strongly recommended to avoid giving buffalo milk to infants and older people.
Cholesterol
Milk composition analysis shows that the cholesterol level is different in both types of milk. As compared to cow and even goat milk, buffalo milk contains a low amount of cholesterol. Since bad cholesterol levels are detrimental to one’s health, buffalo milk is an ideal choice for people suffering from diseases like PCOD, cardiovascular disease, kidney problems, and obesity.
Calorie
Buffalo milk contains more calories as compared to cow milk. 100 ml of buffalo milk provides 100 calories, while 100 ml of cow milk provides 68-70 calories.
Preservation
Buffalo milk can be preserved naturally for a comparatively longer time as compared to cow milk. This is because buffalo milk has a high peroxidase activity (a family of enzymes that are a catalyst for reactions). Ideally, cow milk should be consumed within 1-2 days.
Sleep Inducing Properties
If you want to have a sound sleep at night, go for buffalo milk as it has the capacity to induce natural sleep. Research suggests that drinking half a cup of warm buffalo milk one hour before bedtime has sleep-inducing properties.
Final thoughts
Both types of milk are good for health and possess their own properties that give them their unique health benefits. So, it entirely depends on your preference, which milk you consume. Just ensure that milk is part of your daily diet so that your immunity and resistance are being taken care of.
