In This ArticleView AllIn This ArticleWhat Is A2 Milk?Nutrition FactsIs it Healthier?
In This ArticleView All
View All
In This Article
What Is A2 Milk?
Nutrition Facts
Is it Healthier?
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Photo: Getty Images
Milk is well-known for being abone-building beveragethat perfectly complements some freshlybaked cookies. Many folks are used to seeing milk options that include terms like organic, lactose-free and grass-fed. But when taking a stroll down the dairy aisle, you may notice newcomers—specifically, dairy milks marketed as A2 milk. Naturally, seeing a unique label like “A2” begs curious minds to wonder what exactly A2 milk is and whether it is a healthy choice.
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A2 milk may sound like a new-wave, trendy milk option. But this natural dairy milk is just like the regular milk you know and love, but with one slight variation regarding the protein in this beverage.
Casein and whey are the two major proteins found in dairy milk, with casein making up approximately 30% of the protein content, per a 2021 review published inThe Journal of Nutrition. Most cows in the U.S. produce milk containing two types of beta-casein, called A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein. Both varieties of this protein are packed with amino acids and will nourish the body. But for some, drinking cow’s milk with A1 casein can cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to certain peptides that are produced when this protein is digested, per the 2021 review.
A2 Milk Nutrition
Dairy milk is known for being a health-supporting drink that results in a silly white milk mustache after it is gulped down. According to the2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, most adults in the U.S. should aim to include three servings of dairy daily to reap all of the benefits that milk and other dairy foods offer.
A2 milk is dairy milk and, as such, is loaded with important vitamins, minerals and macronutrients.
According to theUSDA, 1 cup of regular 2% dairy milk contains the same amount of most nutrients listed above, except vitamin A (30% DV) and vitamin D (18%) due to fortification.
Is A2 Milk Healthier Than Regular Milk?
Both A2 milk and regular milk can be delicious and nutritious liquids to splash onto your cold cereal and add to your smoothies and coffee drinks. Both will provide you with almost the exact amounts of macronutrients and micronutrients and offer a satisfying taste many know and love. According to the 2021 review, there does not appear to be any cardiovascular advantage to choosing A2 milk over regular.
Remember that the only difference between A2 milk and regular milk is the variety of beta-casein protein found in the beverage. Regular milk contains both A1 and A2 beta-casein, while A2 milk only contains A2 beta-casein. When it comes to nutrients, both regular and A2 milks provide almost equal amounts of nutrients, meaning that one does not appear to have a nutritional advantage over the other.
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The Bottom Line
A2 milk is a variety of dairy milk that may be easier to tolerate, particularly if your body does not tolerate A1 beta-casein. For those who love the taste of dairy milk and are not lactose-intolerant, but experience tummy trouble after enjoying this classic nutritious beverage, A2 milk may be a nice solution. Both regular and A2 milk are nutritious choices that fit into an overall healthy diet. If you tolerate A1 beta-casein, there does not appear to be an overwhelmingly convincing reason to choose A2 milk over the traditional variety.
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