A2 cow ghee: Is it healthier than regular ghee?

There is a lot of buzz around A2 cow ghee these days. While we all know that it is pure cow ghee, what makes it different from the regular ghee available in the market? It is also usually priced high. So is it worth buying?

Cow milk contains both A1 beta-casein protein and A2 beta-casein protein. But some modern research have underlined that A2 protein is healthier than A1 protein. It is believed that the milk of Desi cow has more A2 protein. While in India, the benefits of Desi cow milk and its ghee has always been known, A2 milk was originally popularized in Australia, New Zealand, China, the United States, and the United Kingdom by A2 Milk Company which claimed that A1 protein found in cow’s milk is harmful. However, as per a review by European Food Safety Authority, it was found that bioactive peptides in milk containing both A1 and A2 proteins had no negative impact on health.

No doubt, the milk of Desi cow is better and has more health benefits. Also, it is thicker in consistency and produces more ghee. The ghee obtained from A2 milk is superior in taste, is healthier and good for digestion. A2 cow ghee is grainy in texture and is made by heating butter on low flame for a long duration.

According to Ms. Dolly Kumar, Founder & Director Gaia ,"To produce more milk, it is believed that large scale ghee manufacturers use unethical means to increase the yield, for example by injecting the cow with hormones to produce more milk or adding adulterants in the ghee to increase the quantity. Besides, there are numerous health benefits of pure A2 cow ghee which cannot be found in regular ghee."

The A2 cow ghee has amino acids which make it easier to digest. It is more nutritious and is well tolerated by lactose-intolerant people and those suffering from IBS.

It is a rich source of unadulterated anti-oxidants, vitamin A, a superior quality protein and a variety of micronutrients that help in building immunity. Pure cow ghee is a part of several Ayurvedic medicines which explains its significant role in maintaining health.

The high level of Omega-3 fatty acids present in this ghee is said to be beneficial for cardiovascular health. The desi cow ghee rich in A2 protein helps build up HDLs or High-Density Lipoproteins that combat cholesterol levels by extracting them out of the bloodstream. Also the presence of proline helps strengthen heart muscles.