DONKEY MILK
A donkey is part of the Equidae family, which also contains horses and zebras. Numerous breeds of domesticated donkeys exist around the globe and female, or jennie, donkeys have been kept for their milk for thousands of years just like other mammals
The use of donkey milk as a medicine and cosmetic has a long history. Hippocrates used it to treat arthritis, coughs, and wounds. Apparently, Cleopatra’s smooth and soft skin was maintained with donkey milk
Various infections, including whooping cough, as well as viruses, are treated with this herbal medicine in parts of Africa and India due to its antimicrobial properties.
NUTRITION IN MILK
Human breast milk and cow’s milk are similar nutritionally to donkey milk. Vitamins and minerals are present along with protein
It has fewer calories and less fat and contains more vitamin D than other milk. Donkey milk is mainly made up of lactose, which is a form of carbohydrate
Casein and whey are the two main components of dairy milk. Most people with cow’s milk allergies react to casein, a protein found in cow’s milk. Donkey milk has a low casein content and is high in whey. Donkey milk contains antimicrobial whey protein. It contains compounds that are antiviral and antibacterial
MILK IN MAHARASHTRA
A number of media reports indicate that donkey’s milk is being sold for Rs 10,000 per litre in Maharashtra’s Umarga city.
Lokmat reported that ten merchants are selling donkey milk, known to boost immunity, door to door for 100 rupees per 10 ml.
What is the reason for the high price of donkey milk?
In donkey milk, about 80 % of the micro organism are lactic acid micro organisms, which ensures that stomach upsets are reduced significantly. As livestock improvement officer Dr Dattatraya Ingole told Lokmat, donkey milk has been used to deal with heart ailments, infections, liver ailments, fever, and bronchial asthma, which has led to an increase in demand and value for donkey milk.
Matrubhumi reported a year earlier that donkey milk was selling for nearly Rs 5,000 per litre.
Milk from cows and goats contain plenty of protein, but donkeys’ milk is considered to have a high content of trace elements, as well as nutritional vitamins and minerals. According to WebMD, some researchers believe that it may help treat sort II diabetes, but there has been no medical analysis for this, and more studies are needed.
Donkey milk is less allergenic than cow’s milk and is closer to human milk, so it can be fed to infants. Donkey milk also does not contain the same foodborne pathogens as other types of milk, thus having a longer shelf life.
There are numerous well being benefits of donkey milk, however it’s also used as a dietary supplement and is regarded as a hydrating agent for the skin. An experiment suggests it might be frozen to become a beauty powder.
What is the quality of donkey milk in India?
According to HealthLine, donkey milk is considered a specialty product since each donkey produces just a couple of litres of milk each day. Though not widely available in India, it can be found in yogurts and cheeses, in powdered form and in a few imported candies. In Italy, donkey milk is sometimes used in infant formula and medical meals, even though it is standard throughout Europe.