Goat’s Milk Fights Muscle Aging, a New Study Says

It's well known that milk is good for our health, but the fact that it could actually be an ally in the fight against aging is new news. This is precisely what a recent study published in Food Science & Nutrition demonstrates, which found that all types of milk help combat sarcopenia, but that goat's milk in particular helps support bone and intestinal health during aging.

The Research Results

A team from Peking University and Hyproca Nutrion conducted a study on mice suffering from sarcopenia, a syndrome that leads to the loss of muscle mass that occurs with age. The mice, sixty to be precise, were divided into six groups: a healthy control group, one with only induced sarcopenia, and four others that, in addition to the sarcopenia-induced condition, were given different types of milk: whole goat's milk, low-fat goat's milk, goat's milk fortified with vitamin D and calcium, and, finally, whole cow's milk.

The researchers observed all the characteristics associated with this particular syndrome in all groups except the control group, such as reduced grip strength and lower lean mass, and demonstrated that the introduction of dairy products had a positive influence on the recovery of muscle mass and bone strength. And while all types of milk have been shown to be excellent allies for health, goat's milk fortified with vitamin D and calcium helped enhance muscle development and also reduced the inflammatory markers that contribute to muscle loss.

An Ally of Your Intestine Too

In addition to discovering how goat's milk can help slow the aging process, researchers also noted another important function this food performs. It appears that all types of milk favored the growth of the beneficial Leuconostoc bacteria, thus leading to a change in the microbiome. However, goat's milk also showed an increase in Lactococcus and Acinetobacter bacteria, essential for reducing inflammation and supporting the body's metabolism.

The research team concluded that "this study demonstrates that different types of dairy products have distinct effects on muscle metabolism, autophagy, inflammation, and the gut microbiota in sarcopenia. Goat's milk, particularly its low-fat and vitamin D/calcium-enriched variants, showed greater benefits in promoting muscle regeneration and reducing inflammation compared to cow's milk, highlighting the importance of dairy product composition." The experts also point out that this research was conducted on mice, and therefore, further studies will be needed to fully understand the benefits milk can provide to humans. In any case, it might still be a good idea to add goat's milk to your diet, which certainly doesn't do any harm.