2024-04-20 10:57:16
TRADE
On the busy streets of Riobamba, a scene has become increasingly common: men and women with their goats, offering their milk as a healing elixir. For many, this milk is a miracle product that promises to relieve a wide range of ailments, from arthritis to stress, and is even said to prevent cancer. However, behind these optimistic statements lies a growing concern about the hygiene conditions of the animals and the safety of this product.
Bertha Caguano is one of these street vendors who every morning arrives at the busy Plaza de la Concepción or Plaza Roja, on the corner of Larrea and Olmedo streets, with her three goats in tow. Between 7:00 a.m. and 9:30 a.m., she sells about 15 large glasses and about 5 small ones for a price of USD 1 and USD 0.70 respectively. Her clients, mostly women, elderly people and members of the indigenous sector, trust in the supposed healing properties of this milk. “It is one of the best foods because it cures many diseases. “It even helps people not get stressed,” she says while she milks one of her goats.
In another part of the city, on Colón and México streets, a goat milk seller highlights the supposed nutritional advantages of this product over cow’s milk. “It’s better than cow’s because it has more protein and calcium,” he says. This point of view is repeated among other street vendors who travel through different areas of the city, from the Historic Center to some rural parishes.
Everyone agrees that goat milk is an underestimated product and that its consumption should be broader. However, while sellers fervently promote the benefits of this product, health authorities have begun to express concerns about the hygienic conditions under which this milk is produced and sold. Lack of adequate regulation and oversight could pose a risk to public health. Additionally, the lack of scientific studies to support claims about goat’s milk’s healing properties creates even more uncertainty.
In a context where health and food safety are priority concerns, it is essential to address these issues seriously and rigorously. More scientific research is needed to evaluate claims about the health benefits of goat milk, as well as stricter regulation to ensure the quality and safety of this product. In the meantime, consumers should be aware of the possible risks and consult health professionals before incorporating this product into their regular diet.
In conclusion, goat milk can be considered a promising product with potential health benefits, but it also raises questions about its safety and effectiveness. These concerns need to be addressed comprehensively, combining scientific research with appropriate regulation, to ensure that this product can be enjoyed safely and responsibly by those who wish to incorporate it into their diet.
Benefits of consuming goat milk
According to William Salazar, legal representative of a milk processing association and veterinarian, he explained that there are some beneficial characteristics of consuming goat milk:
– Contains fractions of sugars and oligosaccharides similar to those present in human milk.
– Its protein composition, of a type different from that of cow’s milk, allows many people with allergies to the latter to consume it without problems.
– It has a lactose content that is 13% lower than cow’s milk and 41% lower than human milk, which makes it less likely to trigger allergic reactions.
– The smaller fat globules it has facilitate its digestion as they are more susceptible to the action of gastric juices.
– It is well tolerated by babies and infants in cases where breastfeeding is not possible.
– It stands out for its digestive ease, being ideal to include in the diet of convalescent people with gastric disorders, ulcers and colitis, thanks to its ability to neutralize gastric acidity.
– The fatty acids present in its composition exhibit a unique metabolic quality by limiting the accumulation of cholesterol in body tissues, thus contributing to reducing cholesterol levels in the body.
– Although comparable to cow’s milk in terms of protein, fat, iron, vitamin C and D content, goat’s milk stands out for its higher content of vitamins A and B, as well as its lower amount of lactose.
– Its consumption has been associated with protection against osteoporosis and iron deficiency anemia.