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Is A2 Milk Easier to Digest Than Regular Milk? Here’s Why 

Feeling a bit off in the tummy after a glass of milk is a common moan these days, isn’t it? More and more people are getting that bloated feeling, the gassy pops, or stomach cramps not long after drinking what’s often thought of as a proper, wholesome food. While many point the finger at lactose intolerance, the clever clogs doing the research are finding that the real trouble-maker might be a certain type of protein in regular milk – the A1 beta-casein. 

On the other hand, A2 milk, which comes from specific traditional cow breeds like the Indian Gir cow, is becoming quite popular because it seems to be much kinder to the digestive system. But what exactly makes A2 milk easier to digest than the milk we usually get? Let’s have a proper look at the science behind it. 

The Protein Difference That Makes a Difference to Your Gut 

We’ve already had a bit of a chat about the basic differences between A2 and regular milk, but let’s delve a bit deeper into how the structure of these proteins affects how we digest them. 

Milk has these things called casein proteins, and one of the main types is beta-casein. Now, beta-casein comes in two common forms: 

• A1 beta-casein: You’ll find this in milk from European breeds like Holstein Friesian and Jersey cows. These are the common sorts you see in many dairy farms. 

• A2 beta-casein: This type is more common in milk from traditional breeds like Gir, Sahiwal, Red Sindhi, and Tharparkar cows – the proper Indian chaps. 

The difference between these two proteins is just one tiny bit – one amino acid. But this small change has a surprisingly big impact on how our bodies handle the milk. 

The Role of BCM-7: The Real Tummy Troublemaker 

The main reason why A2 milk is often easier to digest boils down to what happens when our bodies break down the A1 protein. This process leads to the release of a small bit of protein called beta-casomorphin-7 (BCM-7) during digestion. 

BCM-7 Has Been Linked To: 

• Slower digestion (slower gastric motility): Meaning your food takes longer to move through your system. 

• More inflammation in the gut: Which can lead to all sorts of discomfort. 

• Upsetting the balance of good bacteria in your gut: Which can cause further digestive issues. 

• Tummy troubles including cramps, bloating, wind, and loose motions: All the things you want to avoid! 

Now, A2 milk is different. It doesn’t produce BCM-7 when it’s digested. This means fewer of those nasty digestive problems for people who find regular milk a bit rough on their system. 

Reference: 

• Nutrition Journal (2016) – A study showed that people who drank A2 milk had less digestive discomfort compared to those who drank regular milk (Jianqin et al., 2016). 

Scientific Proof That A2 Milk Is Easier on the Stomach 

Let’s have a look at some of the proper studies that back up the idea that A2 milk is easier to digest: 

1. The Chinese Study on Folks with Lactose Issues

• They looked at 45 people who thought they were lactose intolerant. 

• When these folks drank regular milk, they had significant tummy trouble. 

• But when they switched to A2 milk, their symptoms got much better, even though the amount of lactose was still the same. 

What it means: This suggests that it might not always be the lactose causing the problems; it could be the A1 protein (Jianqin et al., 2016). 

Reference: Jianqin, S., Leiming, X., Lu, X., Yelland, G. W., Ni, J., & Clarke, A. J. (2016). Effects of milk containing only A2 beta-casein versus milk containing both A1 and A2 beta-casein on digestive comfort, stool consistency, and transit time: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Nutrition Journal, 15(1), 35.    

2. The European Study on Digestive Symptoms

• The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition published a study in 2014 that found:  

• People who drank A2 milk had better, more solid poos. 

• They felt less bloated. 

• Their digestion was generally better compared to those drinking regular milk. 

What it means: This further supports the idea that A2 milk can help people who are a bit sensitive to regular milk tolerate dairy much better (Ho et al., 2014). 

Reference: Ho, S., Woodford, K., Kukuljan, S., & Pal, S. (2014). Comparative effects of A1 versus A2 beta-casein on gastrointestinal discomfort: a blinded randomised cross-over trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 68(9), 994-1000. 

Is A2 Milk the Answer for Lactose Intolerance? 

Lactose intolerance happens when your body doesn’t make enough of an enzyme called lactase, which is needed to digest lactose – the sugar in milk. However, a lot of people who think they’re lactose intolerant might actually be reacting to the A1 protein and the BCM-7 it produces instead. 

Here’s how A2 milk can help in these situations: 

• It still has lactose, but it doesn’t cause digestive problems in many people who thought they were lactose intolerant. 

• It’s a good option for those who can digest lactose fine but still struggle with regular milk. 

The Big Realisation: Switching to A2 milk can help many people enjoy dairy again without having to turn to plant-based alternatives. 

How A2 Milk Can Be Good for Your Gut Health 

A2 milk might improve your gut health in a few ways: 

1. Reduces Gut Inflammation: A1 milk and BCM-7 can irritate the lining of your gut, leading to mild inflammation and discomfort. Because A2 milk doesn’t have BCM-7, it allows for smoother digestion and less of an inflammatory response. 
2. Improves Digestive Speed: A1 protein can slow down digestion in some people, making them feel heavy and full. A2 milk seems to allow for quicker emptying of the stomach, meaning less bloating and wind. 
3. Better Nutrient Absorption: When your digestion isn’t struggling, your body is better able to absorb all the good stuff from A2 milk, like calcium, magnesium, and vitamin D. 

A2 Milk for Those with Sensitive Tummies 

A2 milk can be particularly good for: 

• Children and toddlers: Who often get tummy upsets. 

• Older folks: Whose digestion might be a bit slower. 

• Pregnant women: Who need clean, nutrient-rich milk. 

• People recovering from illness: Or dealing with IBS or sensitive bowels. 

Switching to A2 milk can ease the strain on your digestive system, making it ideal for drinking every day without that heavy or uncomfortable feeling. 

What People in India Are Saying? 

In Indian households, milk is used in all sorts of ways – in chai, made into curd, buttermilk, ghee, and sweets. When people switch to A2 milk: 

• Many say they don’t get that bloated feeling after meals. 

• Chai feels lighter on the stomach. 

• Curd made from A2 milk is soothing, not acidic. 

• Children seem to digest it more easily, especially in things like kheer or porridge. 

Final Thoughts: Why Choose A2 Milk for Easier Digestion? 

If you often get a dodgy tummy after drinking regular milk, the problem might not be the lactose, but the A1 protein. A2 milk, which doesn’t have that inflammatory BCM-7 bit, offers a gentler, more natural option that your gut will likely thank you for. 

By choosing OMDAIRY PURE’s A2/A2 Gir Cow Milk, you’re going for a product that is: 

• Pure and without any nasty chemicals. 

• Easier for your body to digest. 

• Sourced from proper Indian Gir cows. 

• Full of nutrients without the side effects. 

Give It a Go! 

Start your journey towards better digestion and feeling good today with OMDAIRY PURE’s A2/A2 Gir Cow Milk. All our Gir cows are DNA tested and producing A2/A2 beta-casein. Order now and see the difference with every sip. 

References: 

• Jianqin, S., Leiming, X., Lu, X., Yelland, G. W., Ni, J., & Clarke, A. J. (2016). Effects of milk containing only A2 beta-casein versus milk containing both A1 and A2 beta-casein on digestive comfort, stool consistency, and transit time: a randomised, double-blind, cross-over trial. Nutrition Journal, 15(1), 35.    
• Ho, S., Woodford, K., Kukuljan, S., & Pal, S. (2014). Comparative effects of A1 versus A2 beta-casein on gastrointestinal discomfort: a blinded randomised cross-over trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 68(9), 994-1000.