Protein, an organic substance made by combining a large number of amino acids, not only plays a role as a major component of muscle, but also plays a pivotal role in fighting external invasions such as viruses and pathogens, making it a major component of antibodies. In addition, the role of forming hemoglobin in red blood cells that transport oxygen and helping maintain the normal function of collagen, the connective tissue of skin and organs, is also a major function of protein. When the protein that plays such an essential role is deficient, side effects such as weakened immunity or anemia due to muscle loss may occur. The reason why protein is called the three major nutrients along with carbohydrates and fats is because it plays an essential role in normal metabolism.
Protein, which plays such an important role, can be consumed in various forms such as meat such as beef, pork, and chicken, fish, seafood, dairy products, and legumes. Goat milk protein refers to the protein that is extracted from the milk of white goats, not meat or fish. It is known to be excellent for digestion and absorption because it is known to be rich in essential amino acids, which may be somewhat lacking in vegetable protein, as well as similar in composition and structure to fat. Now, let’s take a look at the main effects of goat milk protein one by one.
Goat Milk Protein Main Benefits
1. Smooth digestion and absorption
The most representative effect of goat milk protein is that it is more easily digestible than general protein. Alpacasein contained in milk clumps when it enters the body, making it difficult to digest. On the other hand, goat milk contains not only a small percentage of alpacaine, but also contains a large amount of A2 type beta-casein that is similar to breast milk and does not cause intestinal discomfort, so digestion and absorption occur quickly.
The advantage of goat milk protein is that it does not burden digestion, so it can be easily consumed by people who have difficulty digesting milk when ingesting milk, infants who have difficulty digesting protein due to weak digestion, and people over 60 years of age.
2. Strengthen immunity
The gut is known to be responsible for more than 70% of our immune system. Goat milk protein has a high content of oligosaccharides that function as prebiotics that serve as food for beneficial bacteria in the intestine, so it is said to be effective in enhancing immunity by improving the intestinal environment. In addition, goat milk protein contains a natural immune substance called nucleotide, which is said to help strengthen the immune function that protects the body from externally introduced viruses and pathogens. And this nucleotide component is said to have beneficial effects in not only enhancing immunity, but also helping cell growth and slowing down the aging process.
3. Inhibition of fat accumulation
Goat milk protein is rich in medium chain fatty acids, also called MCTs. These medium-chain fatty acids refer to fats with a short fatty chain structure that are rapidly consumed as energy unlike long-chain fatty acids, which are easily stored in the body and are not converted into energy due to a long digestion process. Through this fast energy conversion and excellent metabolic activity, it has the characteristic that it does not accumulate well in the body, and it is said that it helps to control the weight.
4. Inhibit Cholesterol Synthesis
The rich medium-chain fatty acids in goat milk protein not only inhibit the accumulation of fat but also reduce the synthesis of cholesterol in the body. Also called harmful cholesterol, it helps to reduce LDL cholesterol, which causes excessive production of inflammation in blood vessels, and is known to help increase HDL cholesterol, which is good cholesterol.
Other efficacy and side effects
Goat milk protein is also known to help regulate blood sugar. A study published that obese rats fed goat milk protein for 16 weeks reduced fasting blood sugar and blood insulin levels. In addition, goat milk protein is rich in calcium, which plays an important role in maintaining and creating bones, so it is said to help bone health by increasing bone quality and increasing bone density. In addition, goat milk is rich in nutrients such as vitamin D and iron as well as calcium, and the complex action of these nutrients helps to promote bone health and prevent bone-related diseases such as osteoporosis.
Although there are many benefits, there are also side effects to be aware of. Excessive intake of protein can put a strain on the kidneys, so it is recommended that you decide whether to consume it after consulting a specialist if you have kidney-related diseases that require attention to intake of high-protein foods.
