Drinking grassmilk may boost heart health
New York March 1 (IANS) Cows fed with 100 per cent organic grass and legume-based diet produce "grassmilk" rich in omega-3 which reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease as compared to conventional milk finds a study.
While omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids are essential human nutrients consuming too much omega-6 and too little omega-3 can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease obesity and diabetes.
The findings published in the journal Food Science and Nutrition showed that grassmilk brings the omega-6/omega-3 ratio to a near one to one compared to 5.7 to one in conventional whole milk.
Grassmilk provides by far the highest level of omega-3s -- 0.05 grams per 100 grams of milk (g/100 g) compared to 0.02 g/100 g in conventional milk -- a 147 per cent increase in omega-3s.
Grassmilk also contains 52 per cent less omega-6 than conventional milk and 36 per cent less omega-6 than organic milk.
"The near-perfect balance of omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids in grassmilk dairy products will help consumers looking for simple lifestyle options to reduce the risk of cardiovascular and other metabolic diseases " said Charles Benbrook from Johns Hopkins University in the US.
In addition grassmilk also has the highest average level of a valuable heart-healthy fatty acid conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) -- 0.043 g/100 g of milk compared to 0.019 g/ 100 g in conventional milk and 0.023 g/100 g in organic the researchers said.
Daily consumption of grassmilk dairy products could potentially improve health trends the study noted.
Besides metabolic and cardiovascular benefits omega-3 fatty acids and CLA is also beneficial for pregnant and lactating women infants and children.
Various forms of omega-3 fatty acids play critical roles in the development of eyes the brain and the nervous system.
Adequate omega-3 intakes can also slow the loss of cognitive function among the elderly.
For the study the team analysed over 1 160 samples of whole grassmilk taken over three years from on-farm bulk tanks prior to any processing.
--IANS
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