Review – A2 Milk

As a Bzz Agent I got sent some vouchers to try a2 milk for a 2 week challenge to see if it improved digestion.

What is a2 milk?

Most cows’ milk contains different types of protein, of which one group is known as caseins. The main types of the beta-casein fraction are A2 and A1. All natural a2 Milk comes from specially selected British dairy cows that produce milk containing only the A2 protein.

A1 Protein digests differently to A2 protein and has been linked to discomfort after drinking milk. Some people may, in fact, be reacting to this specific A1 protein, rather than lactose or other general milk proteins, as is often assumed.

The origins of a2 Milk

Cows’ milk contains different types of protein, one group of which are caseins – the main types of the beta-casein fraction are A2 and A1.

The A2 form of beta-casein has been identified by scientific research as the original form of beta-casein that would have been produced by cows thousands of years ago.

Over the years a natural genetic variance occurred in European dairy herds, resulting in a variation of the A2 gene called A1 beta-casein – today most dairy milk contains a mixture of A1 and A2 beta-casein protein.

However, some dairy cows still only produce the A2 type of beta-casein and these can be identified and milked to produce a2 Milk – dairy milk as perhaps nature intended.

How a2 Milk is produced

The single most important factor in producing a2 Milk is to find the right dairy cows.

Our farmers exclusively select British dairy cows that naturally produce milk which is rich in the A2 form of beta-casein but contains no A1.

This is done by using a simple and non-invasive DNA test we have developed, which analyses a sample hair from the tail of each dairy cow. These A2 certified cows are then milked separately to produce pure and natural a2 Milk – processed and packed just like every other kind of cows’ milk.

 a2 Milk is not suitable for anyone medically diagnosed with galactosaemia, lactose intolerance, a milk allergy or other milk protein intolerance. My view
I have now tried A2 milk for a couple of weeks. Both myself and my family agree that it tastes very synthetic and processed and not at all as creamy as normal milk. I appreciate this is probably to make it more easily digested, however, I am not keen on this as a solution. It is not too bad in tea/coffee, however, it is not very nice on cereal and I cannot have it as a drink it is just not tasty enough! Although I have had no stomach/digestive problems whilst drinking it, I think, for the amount of milk I drink, and the small amount of digestive problems it causes, I would not change to A2 milk.  Also, it is very difficult to get hold of at the moment, only being sold in certain shops/supermarkets.  I would certainly not go out of my way to buy it.