The health benefits of drinking horse milk

When it comes to the world of milk, there are more varieties than ever to choose from. Cow’s milk remains a staple, but people have also been drinking sheep’s and goat’s milk for decades. More recently, plant-based milks like oat, almond and soy, have risen in popularity.

But one type of milk remains under the radar in the UK: horse’s milk, also known as mare’s milk.

Milk produced by horses is commonly drunk in Central Asia and Russia, with a fermented drink made from horse milk called ‘kumis’ playing an important role in the cultures of peoples from the Central Asian steppes who are of Turkic and Mongol origin.

In Britain, though, horse milk is uncommon. A recent study from food scientists in Poland has sparked new conversations about the product, with some people wondering what the health benefits are.

The team of scientists from West Pomeranian University of Technology in Poland found that they could make ice cream using horse milk instead of cow milk. They tested four types of ice cream with horse milk and found that they all had good taste and texture, according to volunteers who taste-tested them.

Previous research has shown that horse milk is closer in composition to human breast milk than cow milk. It is also lower in fat, protein content and calories, and higher in lactose compared to cow’s milk.

But what are the other benefits of horse milk, and how does it compare to other types of popular milks? We take a closer look.

What are the nutritional benefits of horse milk?

A 2020 study by researchers at Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan suggested that horse milk could offer a host of health benefits, including regulating blood pressure, having antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, and reducing the risk of cancer.

They found that horse milk contains a much higher quantity of a protein called albumin compared to cow milk. This protein is easily absorbed by humans and can help regulate blood pressure, the scientists said.

Horse milk does have many similarities to cow’s milk but can be nutritionally beneficial in different ways, says internationally renowned pharmacist Deborah Grayson, who is also known as The Godmother of Pharmacology.

A qualified nutritional therapist, Grayson explains: "Many of the vitamins in Mare’s milk are similar to that in cow’s milk – the fat soluble vitamins A,D,E and K and B vitamins.

"Mare’s milk however has 4 times the amount of vitamin C, adding to its nutritional value due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Mare’s milk also contains 9 times the amount of vitamin K which can be beneficial when used in babies for its effect on blood clotting.

"Mare’s milk is recommended in Italy for children who have a cow’s milk allergy. Mare’s milk is lower in fat but crucially lower in triglycerides which can make it better for those with cardiovascular disease and is used for this purpose in Russia and Mongolia."

She continues: "Mare’s milk is also rich in linoleic acid (omega-6) and alpha-linolenic acid (omega-3) – these fatty acids cannot be made by the body and are considered essential particularly for the nervous system. Linoleic acid is also important in skin health barrier health and may have benefits in eczema sufferers.

"Mare’s milk also contains 5 times more phospholipids than cows milk which are a key component of cell membranes and can help with general cell and brain cell health.[It] has a much higher amount of amino acids which are essential building blocks for proteins needed in the body including muscles, tissues and hormones."

Could horse milk be beneficial for gut health?

Consuming horse milk could benefit our health in other ways. Grayson says that because it contains more whey protein and much less casein compared to cow milk, horse milk is “much better from an allergy perspective and a good substitute for those with a cow’s milk allergy”.

Dr José Costa, senior allergy consultant at The Children's Allergy Clinic, adds: "Horse (and also donkey) milk is closer in composition to human milk than cow's milk, which can make more it suitable for people with allergies and intolerances to cow's milk.

"The main allergens in cow's milk are both the protein, αs1-casein, and the whey protein β-lactoglobulin. Horse milk contains much less αs1-casein at just 1.5-2.5 g/l vs cow's milk, containing approximately 10 g/l. Human milk does not contain β-lactoglobulin at all and the form it takes in both horse and donkey milk makes it less allergenic than cow's milk.

"Whilst horse milk does [have] considerably more whey proteins (35-50%) than cow's milk (approx 20%), whey proteins cause less severe and less prolonged allergic reactions than αs1-casein proteins. Allergies to whey proteins also tend to be outgrown during the first 5 to 6 years of life.

"Horse milk also has a high content of an enzyme known as Lysozyme (about 1 g/l), which gives it natural antibacterial properties, compared to trace amounts in cow's milk."

However, he warns that horse milk - like human milk - contains a substantial amount of lactose, making it unsuitable for people with lactose intolerance.

But what about gut health? Many experts believe fermented dairy products, such as cheese, yoghurt, and kefir contain probiotics and healthy gut bacteria that can improve gut health.

According to Grayson, horse milk could also contribute to a healthy gut. She explains: "Mare’s milk contains Lysozyme and lactoferrin which can play a key role in supporting a healthy gut microbiome as well as generally helping to fight bacteria and viruses in the body. Research suggests that mare’s milk can help to support immune function as a result of this plus the increased vitamin C."

In comparison, cow milk is less beneficial for gut health - however, it is still well-tolerated by many people.

Meanwhile, plant milks are often used as a substitute for cow’s milk where allergy exists, she says. "Many plant-based milks however are healthily processed and can contain stabilisers and sugar and sweeteners which can make them less beneficial.

"Homemade plant-based milks are better but do not provide the benefits of mare's milk for gut healing."

Read more about gut health:

• Why beans are so good for your gut health (Yahoo Life UK, 9-min read)

• Is a sweet or savoury breakfast better for gut health? (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)

• Gut health expert Tim Spector reveals key to long-term intermittent fasting (Yahoo Life UK, 5-min read)