Why you should drink goat milk more often

Experts have recommended that Nigerians consume more of goat milk which according to them is more beneficial to healthy growth than cow milk.

The advice is contained in a fact sheet issued by the Nigerian Forum for Agricultural Advisory Services (NIFAAS), in Ibadan, Oyo state.

According to the fact sheet, goat milk contains more protein, a higher level of essential amino acids and could supply the body with more vitamin than cow milk.

The experts said the milk from goat was higher in a number of nutrients including calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, potassium, and has a lot of antioxidant activity.

They also said the protein in goat milk could digest faster and easier than that of cow milk.

They noted that Nigerians do not consume goat milk due to its nauseating flavour and bitter taste. They however advised that the udder must be cleaned thoroughly with warm water and the coat brushed well before milking to avoid the bitter taste.

“This is to avoid foreign matter from the skin getting into milk, the milk also needs to be filtered and the buckets, jars being used sterilised,” the sheet read.

“Also, once milking is done, the milk should be promptly cooled to about 17c, this will stop enzyme action, prevent breakdown of fats, other lipids to release fatty acids which contributes to the goaty flavour of milk.

“The female goats produce a lot of pheromones and when kept close to the male goats, they get affected by the latter’s odour, which is passed into milk.

“It’s safer to keep the doe and buck yards apart, especially when milking.

“The farmer should only allow the does and bucks to meet during the breeding season, this helps in eliminating the goaty flavour in milk.”