Myth A2 milk: healthier than the milk of high-performance cattle?

The difference between conventional milk and A2 milk is in the protein: A2 milk contains exclusively The so -called A2 Beta-Kasein. The milk, which typically comes from cattle breeds in our latitudes, contains, in particular, A1 Beta-Kasein, often together with the A2 variant. Which protein form occurs in the milk depends on the genetic equipment of the cow: some give pure A1 or pure A2 milk, many a mixture of both.

The Austrian nutritionist and dietologist Ursula Pabst explains how the difference in the body affects: “When digestion of A1 beta-kasein, the peptide casomorphine 7 can arise, which acts on opioid receptors in the intestine. To put it simply: A2 milk releases less fabrics that are suspected of favoring digestive problems when breaking down.

Some studies actually provide indications that A2 milk could be more digestible for some people, for example if symptoms such as bloating or abdominal pain occur, although there is no lactose intolerance. A possible connection with inflammatory reactions or a changed risk of diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disorders is also discussed.

It is unclear whether this is due to the protein profile or the placebo effect. “There is no clear evidence,” explains Pabst. Many examinations come from manufacturers, independent studies are often small, too short or contradictory. In order to be able to make clear statements about A2 milk health effects, more research is needed.

Why there is A1 and A2 milk today can probably be attributed to a genetic mutation. Today it is assumed that all cattle breeds were originally wore. About 5000 to 10,000 years ago, a component of beta-kasein changed in some cattle: at a position in the beta-kasein, the amino acid prolin was replaced by Histidin. This is how the A1 protein was created. It prevailed in modern high-performance breeds such as the Holstein beef, while old breeds such as Jersey or Guernsey cattle and many African and Asian breeds often deliver pure A2 beta-kasein.

The various milk proteins were in the 1990s by the New Zealand scientist Dr. Corran (Corrie) McLachlan discovered. In 2000, McLachlan founded the A2 Corporation, today The A2 Milk Company, and brought in the year 2003 on the market in Australia and New Zealand. Australia and New Zealand are still strong sales regions. In the meantime, however, China, India, the USA and countries such as Holland, Austria and Great Britain are also following. In the year In 2024, the global market for A2 milk had a volume of around $ 2.4 billion. In ten years Should he climb around.

A2 milk is not only offered as drinking milk, but also processed into products such as yogurt, cheese, butter, ice cream or baby food. In Germany, drinking milk has so far been the most common product. Variants such as yogurt, cheese or baby food are available, but are sold much less often and can be found especially in organic shops or online shops.

“The term suggests a particularly original and natural milk,” says Pabst. However, it is primarily marketing. “Since it is assumed that the milk of old cattle breeds only contained A2 beta-kasein, the designation of primal milk should emphasize this original state,” said the nutrition expert.

The fact is, however, that A2 milk is specifically obtained today by special breeding programs and processed by modern procedures. For the image of the primeval milk, consumers pay more noticeably more than for conventional milk: A2–Milk costs 50 percent or more than GEWÖeligible milk, although the production costs äare.

“If you tolerate conventional milk without suffering from a lactose intolerance, you can try A2 milk,” says Pabst. A supposed improvement could always be due to belief in the product, i.e. the placebo effect.

No. A2-milk contains an allergy-causing proteins as well as A1 milk. It is therefore not an alternative for people with cow milk allergy. Even in the event of lactose intolerance, it does not bring an advantage – unless it was treated with the enzyme lactase and is lactose -free.

A2 milk is above all a lifestyle product with health promises, the scientific basis of which is still very thin. It is not an alternative for people with lactose intolerance or cow milk allergy. Whether A2 milk actually offers added value and whether you are willing to pay a stately price for this, everyone has to decide for themselves. “Sometimes in the end the good feeling of doing something for yourself and health counts,” says Pabst.