Calcium content in cow milk and buffalo milk is about 20 times smaller than the content of calcium found in human breast milk.Cow cheese contains more calcium compared to cow’s milk. People are always trying to care for their health, so one of the most important issues which is common and may be vital is to know the calcium content in cow milk and buffalo milk. Calcium content in cow milk and buffalo milk is essential for building and maintaining healthy bones, teeth and muscles. The percentage of calcium in the body is usually measured by bone density, although the amount of calcium required varies widely among individuals. The body’s ability to regulate blood levels of calcium depends on bone health, which depends upon the correct distribution, balance and use of calcium in the body.
Calcium Content In Cow Milk And Buffalo Milk
Cow milk differs from buffalo milk in richness and composition. Buffalo milk has lower cholesterol but more calories and fat compared with cow’s milk. Buffalo milk is consumed in south Asia, with India, China and Pakistan being the biggest producers.
Comparison Chart
 |
Buffalo Milk | Cow Milk |
|---|---|---|
| Properties | 100% more fat content than cow’s milk; can be preserved for longer | Lower in fat than buffalo milk; preserved for less time. |
| Nutrition | Buffalo milk is extremely rich in calcium, and is a good source of minerals like magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. | Cow’s milk is rich in a variety of minerals, vitamins, and proteins, It is also an excellent source of calcium. |
| Health benefits | Less cholesterol, more fat, more calories. It is good for healthy bones, dental health, cardiovascular health, and weight gain. | More cholesterol, less fat, fewer calories. It is beneficial for healthy bones, dental health, reducing obesity in children, protection from thyroid diseases, and cardiovascular health. |
| Uses | Produces thick and creamy dairy products suitable for the manufacture of traditional milk products like yogurt and cottage cheese (called “paneer” in South Asia), as well as indigenous milk products like khoa and ghee. | Dairy products: curds, sweets, cheese – but less thick and creamy |
| Top consumers and producers | Buffalo milk is popular in South Asia (India, Pakistan) and Italy. | Cow’s milk is consumed all over the world, including regions that also consume buffalo milk. |
| Calories | 237 (1 cup, about 244g) | 148 (1 cup, about 244g) |
| Total Fat | 17g (26% daily value) (in 1 cup) | 8g (12% daily value) (in 1 cup) |
| Saturated fat | 11g (55% DV) | 4.6g (22% daily value) |
| Sodium | 127mg (6% DV) | 105mg (9% DV) |
| Total Carbohydrate | 13g (4% DV) | 12g (4% DV) |
| Dietary fiber | 0g | 0g |
| Sugar | 13g | 12g |
| Protein | 9.2g (18% DV) | 8g (16%) |
| Vitamin A | 9% | 7% |
| Calcium | 41% | 27% |
| Iron | 2% | 0% |
Production
A man milking a buffalo.
A cow produces around 15 to 20 liters of milk, whereas a buffalo yields anywhere between 7 to 11 liters of milk per day.
Properties
Buffalo milk contains higher total solids than cow milk, which makes it thicker. Buffalo milk has 100% more fat content than cow’s milk, which makes it creamier and thicker. Due to high peroxidase activity (family of enzymes that are a catalyst for reactions), buffalo milk can be preserved naturally for a longer period. Buffalo milk contains more calcium, a better calcium to phosphorous ratio and less sodium and potassium which makes it a better nutritional supplement for infants. Cow’s milk is extremely rich in iodine. It has good amount of minerals like Calcium and Phosphorus.
Top Consumers/Producers
India followed by Pakistan is the top producer of buffalo milk. China and Italy follow. India is the top producer and consumer of cow and buffalo milk. Western countries consume mostly cow’s milk.
Health benefits
Higher total solids in buffalo milk also provide for more calories than cow milk (100 calories are derived from 100g of buffalo milk while 70 calories from 100g of cow milk). Buffalo milk contains less cholesterol (total cholesterol 275 mg and free cholesterol 212mg per 100 g of fat) compared to cow milk (total cholesterol 330 mg and free cholesterol 280mg per 100 g of fat) Buffalo’s milk is good for healthy bones, dental health, cardiovascular health and weight gain.
Cow’s milk is beneficial for healthy bones, dental health, obesity reduction in children, protection from thyroid problems, and a healthier heart.
Benefits Of Drinking Buffalo Milk
Studies suggest that buffalo milk may have multiple health benefits.
May Support Bone Health
Buffalo milk provides high amounts of calcium, a mineral needed for bone development. It’s also a source of casein-derived peptides that may promote bone health and reduce your risk of osteoporosis, a disease characterized by bone weakening and increased risk of fractures.
Casein is a major protein found in milk, comprising about 89% of buffalo milk’s total protein content.
Studies in rats show that some casein-derived peptides may increase bone density and strength, enhance bone formation, and reduce bone resorption — the process of releasing minerals from the bones into the blood.
Though these results are promising for osteoporosis therapy, further research is needed to verify these effects in humans.
May Provide Antioxidant Activity
Like other dairy products, buffalo milk has antioxidant properties due to its vitamins, minerals, and bioactive compounds.
Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals, a group of compounds with harmful effects on your body that have been linked to certain diseases.
One test-tube study determined that the total antioxidant capacity of buffalo milk ranged between 56–58%, compared with 40–42% for cow’s milk. Buffalo milk’s higher antioxidant ability was credited to its higher monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) content.
Similarly, another study found that buffalo milk fat provides small amounts of phenolic compounds and fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A and E, all of which have potent antioxidant properties.
May Improve Heart Health
Beta-lactoglobulin and potassium in buffalo milk may help reduce high blood pressure.
Beta-lactoglobulin is a primary whey protein and an important source of bioactive compounds associated with health benefits.
One test-tube study found beta-lactoglobulin in buffalo milk to inhibit the angiotensin-converting enzyme — an enzyme that increases blood pressure by tightening blood vessels — thus reducing blood pressure levels.
What’s more, potassium is a key mineral involved in blood pressure control, and buffalo milk boasts a high potassium content, providing 9% of the DV per 8-ounce (244-ml) serving.
Summary Buffalo milk is rich in bioactive compounds that may promote bone and heart health and protect your body from oxidative stress.
Intolerance
Many people who are lactose intolerant or have an intolerance or mild allergy to cow’s milk find that drinking buffalo milk helps and alleviates any problems—such as eczema or psoriasis—that were rooted in their dietary allergies. However, the evidence is anecdotal[1][2] rather than established through rigorous scientific research.
Some people also report better tolerance of cow milk when the protein is A2 rather than A1. Milk contains β-casein proteins; depending upon the cow breed this is either of mostly A1 type or mostly A2. The a2 Milk Company in Australia popularized the differences between A1 and A2 proteins and claimed that A2 is healthier. Reviewing allegations by the company that A2 protein is unhealthy, the European Food Safety Authority conducted an investigation in 2008 and issued a report that concluded that there is no evidence that A2 milk is bad for health
Cow Milk vs. Buffalo Milk: Pros And cons
Buffalo Milk Vs. Cow’s Milk
Both buffalo and cow’s milk are highly nutritious and provide a great amount of vitamins and minerals, but buffalo milk packs more nutrients and calories per serving.
Below is a comparison between 1 cup (244 ml) of buffalo and whole cow’s milk:
| Buffalo milk | Whole cow’s milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 237 | 149 |
| Water | 83% | 88% |
| Carbs | 12 grams | 12 grams |
| Protein | 9 grams | 8 grams |
| Fat | 17 grams | 8 grams |
| Lactose | 13 grams | 11 grams |
| Calcium | 32% of the Daily Value (DV) | 21% of the DV |
Buffalo milk has more protein, fat, and lactose than whole cow’s milk.
Consuming milk with higher protein content increases your feelings of fullness. This may help reduce food intake throughout the day, thus helping you lose weight and body fat (9Trusted Source).
On the other hand, if you want to reduce your fat intake or have mild lactose intolerance, opting for cow’s milk may be better.
Buffalo milk also has more vitamins and minerals. It provides 41% of the DV for phosphorus, 32% of the DV for calcium, 19% of the DV for magnesium, and 14% of the DV for vitamin A, compared with 29%, 21%, 6%, and 12% in cow’s milk, respectively.
It’s also worth noting that because buffaloes are more effective at converting beta-carotene — an antioxidant with a distinctive yellow color — into vitamin A, their milk is whiter than cow’s milk.
Lastly, since buffalo milk is lower in water but higher in fat, it has a thicker texture that’s suitable in the production of fat-based dairy products like butter, ghee, cheese, and ice cream.
Potential Downsides
Research on the downsides of drinking buffalo milk is still inconclusive.
Some believe that if you have cow’s milk allergy (CMA), buffalo milk may be a suitable allergy-friendly substitute, while others disagree.
Typical cow’s milk allergens include casein as well as alpha- and beta-lactoglobulin. Other proteins — such as different types of immunoglobulins (Ig) or bovine serum albumin — may also cause allergic reactions in some individuals.
One study comparing the casein content and composition of cow’s, goat, sheep, and buffalo milk determined that the structural differences between cow’s and buffalo milk made the latter less allergenic.
That said, research on IgE-mediated allergy — a type of Ig — to cow’s milk protein may suggest otherwise, as a study in 24 people with CMA determined that buffalo milk tested positive for IgE-mediated reactions in 100% of the tested cases.
Older research suggests that this may be due to cross-reactivity between the two types of milk, as human antibodies responsible for cow’s milk allergy may also recognize buffalo milk proteins, thus reacting to them as well.
Which One Is Better?
There isn’t any doubt that milk is highly nutritious. It is an excellent source of calcium, which is necessary for strong bones and teeth. Doctors recommend drinking milk every day in order to stay healthy and fit. But when you have to make a choice between cow and buffalo milk, which one is better? Well, both types of milk have their own positives and negatives. So, let’s see what is the major difference between the two…
Fat
Fat content actually is responsible for the consistency of the milk. Cow milk contains a lower amount of fat as compared to buffalo milk. This is why buffalo milk is thicker than cow milk. Cow milk has 3-4 percent of fat, while buffalo milk has about 7-8 percent. Buffalo milk is heavy, so it takes time to digest and keeps you fuller for a longer period of time.
Water
Water is necessary for every individual and so if you want to increase your water intake then opt for cow milk. Approximately 90 percent of cow milk is water and is excellent to keep you hydrated.
Protein
Buffalo milk contains 10-11 percent more protein than cow milk. It is more heat resistant. Due to the amount of protein in it, buffalo milk is not recommended for infants and older people.
Cholesterol
Even the cholesterol level is different in both types of milk. Buffalo milk contains a low amount of cholesterol, which makes it an excellent choice for people suffering from diseases like PCOD, hypertension, kidney problems, and obesity.
Calorie
It is obvious that buffalo milk contains more calories as it is high in protein and fat. 1 cup of buffalo milk contains 237 calories, while 1 cup of cow milk contains 148 calories.
Preservation
Buffalo milk can be preserved for a longer period of time as compared to cow milk. This is because buffalo milk has a high peroxidase activity, which is a kind of enzyme. Cow milk should be consumed within 1-2 days.
Colour
Cow milk is yellowish-white in colour, while buffalo milk is creamy white. In buffalo milk beta- carotene pigment gets converted to colourless Vitamin- A, which makes it less yellowish than cow milk. This takes place in cow milk as well, but in low quantity.
Other Major Difference
– If you want to have a sound sleep at night, go for buffalo milk as it is considered sleep-inducing.
-Buffalo milk is good for the preparation of khoa, dahi, paneer, kheer, payasam, malai, kulfi, and ghee.
-As cow milk is less creamy and thick, it is better for sweets.