Milk has for long been associated with good health and immense nutritional qualities since our childhoods where it was pursued by our parents to engage with it luring us with warm, freshly made cookies, biscuits, bread and butter or jam and milk shakes so as to energise, revitalise and strengthen our growing bodies and bones. Milk has for since times known been the epitome of a great source of nutrition for mankind and the proof lies in its consumption to date in its purest form and other dairy products such as curd, yoghurt, ghee, cheese and buttermilk.

Terms like “organic,” “lactose-free,” and “grass-fed” are commonplace when people shop for milk. However, you might see some new faces while perusing the dairy aisle – dairy milks promoted as A2 milk, in particular. Everybody wants to know what A2 milk is and if it’s genuine and reliable when they see a strange label like “A2” on the bottle.

How Does A2 Milk Work?

A2 milk might seem like a hip, modern milk alternative. However, there is a small change in the amount of protein in this natural dairy milk compared to the ordinary milk that you are used to.

Casein accounts for over 30% of the protein content, according to a 2021 review published in The Journal of Nutrition, one of the two main proteins found in dairy milk along with whey. Two varieties of beta-casein, A1 and A2, are present in the milk of the majority of American cows. The body will be nourished by either variety of this protein because of how many amino acids it contains. According to the review from 2021, however, some people experience gastrointestinal distress after consuming cow’s milk containing A1 casein because of certain peptides that are released after digestion of this protein.

A2 milk has many of the same characteristics as regular milk, including having lactose, and being rich in essential elements such as proteins, calcium, and vitamin D. However, dairy farmers can avoid supplying milk containing the potentially problematic A1 beta-casein by exclusively milking cows that produce milk containing the A2 beta-casein. This could mean better tolerance and simpler digestion for some people consuming A2 milk that contains some casein and lactose, just like ordinary milk. Some people may have trouble digesting the A1 beta-casein protein, which is the only difference between regular milk and A2 milk. A2 milk isn’t recommended for people with lactose intolerance and allergies to milk.

Nutrition Facts for A2 Milk

In order to get the full health advantages of milk and other dairy products, the 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend that most adults in the US consume three servings of dairy per day.

Dairy milk, namely A2 milk, is an excellent source of several macronutrients, vitamins, and minerals.

In Comparison to Regular Milk, Is A2 Milk Healthier?

You may add either A2 milk or ordinary milk to your smoothies, coffee drinks, or cold cereal for a tasty and nutritious splash. Both will provide you nearly the same quantity of macronutrients and micronutrients and have a delicious flavor that many people adore. There does not seem to be any cardiovascular benefit to selecting A2 milk over ordinary, according to the 2021 assessment.

Keep in mind that the only thing distinguishing A2 milk from ordinary milk is the type of beta-casein protein it contains. While both A1 and A2 beta-casein are present in regular milk, A2 milk alone includes A2 beta-casein. Nutrient content-wise, it appears that there is no discernible difference between conventional and A2 milks; both provide nearly the same quantity of nutrients.

You can also read: Which Milk is better – A1 or A2?

Conclusion

For those who have an adverse reaction to A1 beta-casein, there is a variant of dairy milk called A2 milk that may be simpler to digest. If you’re not lactose intolerant but still get indigestion after drinking this traditional healthy drink, A2 milk could be the answer. Incorporating either ordinary or A2 milk into your diet will not compromise its nutritional value. There doesn’t seem to be a very compelling argument in favor of A2 milk over the regular kind if you can handle A1 beta-casein.