Donkey milk may seem like a trendy new arrival on the dairy market, but in reality it has been around for thousands of years.It has recently become popular again, especially in some parts of Europe, attracting both adventurous foodies looking to try new foods and drinks and those looking to eat natural foods with health benefits.This article examines the benefits, uses and disadvantages of donkey milk.History and uses of donkey milk
Donkeys belong to the equid family, which also includes horses and zebras. Various species of domesticated donkeys live around the world, and like many other mammals, female donkeys known as jennies have been raised for their milk for thousands of years (1).Donkey milk has a long history of medicinal and cosmetic uses. Hippocrates reportedly used it to treat arthritis, coughs, and wounds. Cleopatra is said to have maintained her soft and smooth skin with donkey milk baths ( 2 ).It has antimicrobial properties and is used as a folk medicine treatment for infections including whooping cough, as well as viruses in parts of Africa and India ( 2 ).Compared to milk from other dairy animals such as cows, goats, sheep, buffalos and camels, donkey milk is the milk most similar to human milk. In fact, it was first used to feed orphan babies in the 19th century (3).Donkey breeding is becoming increasingly popular. However, most farms are small with 5-30 milking jennies. Each produces only about 4 cups (1 liter) of milk per day. For this reason, milk is somewhat difficult to find and is considered a specialty product (1, 4, 5).Raw donkey milk is usually sold on farms where donkeys are raised. In the United States, federal law prohibits the transportation of raw milk across state lines. Some large farms can sell pasteurized donkey milk (5, 6).It is more commonly found as freeze-dried milk powder and as an ingredient in some chocolate bars imported from Europe. In Italy, where it is especially popular, donkey milk is used in some baby foods and as medicinal food (4, 7).Although it may seem like a new trend, people have been drinking donkey milk for thousands of years. It's a little hard to find unless you live near a donkey farm, but you can buy powdered donkey milk from some manufacturers.donkey milk nutrition
In terms of nutritional value, donkey milk is very similar to human breast and cow milk. In addition to protein, it also provides vitamins and minerals (2, 8).Compared to other milks, it is lower in fat and therefore calories and has more vitamin D. Most of the calories in donkey milk come from carbohydrates in the form of lactose (2, 8).This chart lists the nutrition information for 3 ounces (100 mL) of donkey, human breast, and whole cow's milk fortified with vitamin D (8, 9, 10, 11):Donkey milk Full-fat, vitamin D-enriched cow's milk Human milk
Calories 49 61 70
Protein 2 grams 3 grams 1 gram
Carbohydrates 6 grams 5 grams 7 grams
Fat 2 grams 3 grams 4 grams
Cholesterol 3% of the Daily Value (DV) 3% 5% of DV
Vitamin D 23% of DV 9% of DV 1% of DV
Calcium 7% of DV 11% of DV % of DV 3 of
Riboflavin 2% of DV 13% of DV 2% of DV
Most of the protein in dairy milk comes from casein and whey. Casein is the protein to which most people allergic to cow's milk react. Donkey milk is similar to human breast milk in that it is lower in casein and higher in whey (12).
The whey protein in donkey milk attracts attention with its antimicrobial properties. It contains compounds that can inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria (1, 3, 12).In laboratory studies, it prevents the spread of bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (1, 3, 12).Donkey milk is low in fat and rich in carbohydrates. The protein in donkey milk is largely whey and contains compounds that may help prevent the growth of some bacteria and viruses.Benefits of donkey milk
Those who love donkey milk often drink it for its health benefits that go beyond its nutritional content. It has attracted great attention especially as an allergen-friendly and immune system-boosting food.Compared to the protein in cow's milk, which contains about five times more casein than whey, the protein in donkey's milk contains roughly equal amounts of casein and whey (12).Given its significantly lower casein content, many people with cow's milk protein allergies can tolerate donkey milk because they find that donkey milk does not cause an allergic response (12).This can be a plus for anyone who is allergic to cow's milk but can benefit from the protein and other nutrients that dairy milk provides.A study conducted in Italy on 81 children with cow's milk allergy found that all of them could drink donkey's milk without experiencing any adverse reactions. Substitution of donkey milk is allowed for normal weight and height
Earnings (13).However, if you have a known allergy, be sure to get it checked.Consult your healthcare provider before trying donkey milk. While donkey milk contains less casein than cow's milk, even trace amounts of casein can cause anaphylaxis in some people.Another important component of donkey milk is lactose. It helps your body absorb calcium, which is important for strong bones (12, 14).Other compounds in milk may support a healthier immune system. One laboratory study showed that donkey milk has the ability to promote the release of cytokines, which are proteins that stimulate the immune system ( 14 ).The same study found that donkey milk also causes cells to produce nitric oxide, a compound that helps blood vessels dilate. Nitric oxide may improve blood flow to your blood vessels, which may lower your blood pressure ( 14 ).
Donkeys belong to the equid family, which also includes horses and zebras. Various species of domesticated donkeys live around the world, and like many other mammals, female donkeys known as jennies have been raised for their milk for thousands of years (1).Donkey milk has a long history of medicinal and cosmetic uses. Hippocrates reportedly used it to treat arthritis, coughs, and wounds. Cleopatra is said to have maintained her soft and smooth skin with donkey milk baths ( 2 ).It has antimicrobial properties and is used as a folk medicine treatment for infections including whooping cough, as well as viruses in parts of Africa and India ( 2 ).Compared to milk from other dairy animals such as cows, goats, sheep, buffalos and camels, donkey milk is the milk most similar to human milk. In fact, it was first used to feed orphan babies in the 19th century (3).Donkey breeding is becoming increasingly popular. However, most farms are small with 5-30 milking jennies. Each produces only about 4 cups (1 liter) of milk per day. For this reason, milk is somewhat difficult to find and is considered a specialty product (1, 4, 5).Raw donkey milk is usually sold on farms where donkeys are raised. In the United States, federal law prohibits the transportation of raw milk across state lines. Some large farms can sell pasteurized donkey milk (5, 6).It is more commonly found as freeze-dried milk powder and as an ingredient in some chocolate bars imported from Europe. In Italy, where it is especially popular, donkey milk is used in some baby foods and as medicinal food (4, 7).Although it may seem like a new trend, people have been drinking donkey milk for thousands of years. It's a little hard to find unless you live near a donkey farm, but you can buy powdered donkey milk from some manufacturers.donkey milk nutrition
In terms of nutritional value, donkey milk is very similar to human breast and cow milk. In addition to protein, it also provides vitamins and minerals (2, 8).Compared to other milks, it is lower in fat and therefore calories and has more vitamin D. Most of the calories in donkey milk come from carbohydrates in the form of lactose (2, 8).This chart lists the nutrition information for 3 ounces (100 mL) of donkey, human breast, and whole cow's milk fortified with vitamin D (8, 9, 10, 11):Donkey milk Full-fat, vitamin D-enriched cow's milk Human milk
Calories 49 61 70
Protein 2 grams 3 grams 1 gram
Carbohydrates 6 grams 5 grams 7 grams
Fat 2 grams 3 grams 4 grams
Cholesterol 3% of the Daily Value (DV) 3% 5% of DV
Vitamin D 23% of DV 9% of DV 1% of DV
Calcium 7% of DV 11% of DV % of DV 3 of
Riboflavin 2% of DV 13% of DV 2% of DV
Most of the protein in dairy milk comes from casein and whey. Casein is the protein to which most people allergic to cow's milk react. Donkey milk is similar to human breast milk in that it is lower in casein and higher in whey (12).
The whey protein in donkey milk attracts attention with its antimicrobial properties. It contains compounds that can inhibit the growth of viruses and bacteria (1, 3, 12).In laboratory studies, it prevents the spread of bacteria such as Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus (1, 3, 12).Donkey milk is low in fat and rich in carbohydrates. The protein in donkey milk is largely whey and contains compounds that may help prevent the growth of some bacteria and viruses.Benefits of donkey milkThose who love donkey milk often drink it for its health benefits that go beyond its nutritional content. It has attracted great attention especially as an allergen-friendly and immune system-boosting food.Compared to the protein in cow's milk, which contains about five times more casein than whey, the protein in donkey's milk contains roughly equal amounts of casein and whey (12).Given its significantly lower casein content, many people with cow's milk protein allergies can tolerate donkey milk because they find that donkey milk does not cause an allergic response (12).This can be a plus for anyone who is allergic to cow's milk but can benefit from the protein and other nutrients that dairy milk provides.A study conducted in Italy on 81 children with cow's milk allergy found that all of them could drink donkey's milk without experiencing any adverse reactions. Substitution of donkey milk is allowed for normal weight and height
Earnings (13).However, if you have a known allergy, be sure to get it checked.Consult your healthcare provider before trying donkey milk. While donkey milk contains less casein than cow's milk, even trace amounts of casein can cause anaphylaxis in some people.Another important component of donkey milk is lactose. It helps your body absorb calcium, which is important for strong bones (12, 14).Other compounds in milk may support a healthier immune system. One laboratory study showed that donkey milk has the ability to promote the release of cytokines, which are proteins that stimulate the immune system ( 14 ).The same study found that donkey milk also causes cells to produce nitric oxide, a compound that helps blood vessels dilate. Nitric oxide may improve blood flow to your blood vessels, which may lower your blood pressure ( 14 ). 
