Gujarat man sells donkey milk at ₹5,000 a litre: We ask experts if it is healthy to drink it

Once the symbol of unseen effort, donkeys are getting the last laugh! Their milk is now selling for a whopping 70 times the price of cow’s milk ₹5,000 a litre — as opposed to cow milk at ₹65.

Dhiren Solanki from Gujarat is leading this donkey milk revolution. He runs a farm with 42 donkeys in Patan district and reportedly earns ₹2-3 lakh a month by supplying this prized milk to customers in southern states, reported NDTV.

Before you become a rat in this race to acquire said milk, first, let’s understand from experts whether it is even healthy to drink donkey milk. According to nutritionist and integrated health coach Karishma Shah, no animal milk is.

“Animals have hormones. These external hormones when go into our bodies create disruptions within the hormonal system, sometimes even contributing to disorders like thyroid, and PCOS, which are governed by them,” Shah said. According to a 2022 study published in the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics, cow’s milk induces various gastrointestinal and systemic manifestations from birth to the elderly with various underlying mechanisms.

If you do choose to try donkey milk, moderation is key, explained dietician Shradha Singh, Regency Hospital. “There’s no established recommendation due to the lack of research on long-term effects.  However, one should always consult a dietician or a doctor for accurate guidance.”

Shah advises against experimenting with dairy products (Source: Freepik)

Donkey milk is naturally high in lactose, the sugar in milk, which can impact blood sugar levels. If you’re a diabetic planning to consume it, it is always best to consult your doctor to see if it fits your diabetes management plan.

People with lactose intolerance should also avoid it for the same reason. Additionally, pregnant or breastfeeding women and those with weakened immune systems should avoid it due to limited research on safety, warned Singh.

A significant concern with donkey milk is that it’s often not pasteurised, Singh said. Pasteurization is a heat treatment that destroys harmful bacteria that can cause foodborne illnesses. Unpasteurized milk carries a higher risk of contamination.

Shah advises against experimenting with dairy products, especially those that have not been a part of your diet since you were a child. “When you’re a kid or a teen, this milk helps you grow. What growing are we doing as adults,” she questioned.

Shah noted that these kinds of dietary fads are pretty common now but one must “stick to the basics.”

Disclaimer: The copyright of this article belongs to the original author. Reposting this article is solely for the purpose of information dissemination and does not constitute any investment advice. If there is any infringement, please contact us immediately. We will make corrections or deletions as necessary. Thank you.