Just what is the secret to a2 Milk™ and its incredible rise in the food industry?

 (photo credit: a2Milk)

From a nutritional point of view, it’s considered to be one of the most nutritionally complete food products that you can consume.

Readers of my blog will have heard of a2 Milk™ before, as I have written a few articles about it, and the science behind it.

I took on a 4-week challenge last year to see what all the fuss was about, with interesting results as you can find out here.

I’ve even written recipes using a2 Milk™, such as my dauphinoise potatoes, lasagne, red velvet gateaux, chocolate brownies and more!

More interestingly, I’d not seen them in mainstream supermarkets as they only had a small space on the shelf.

Today, their products are flying off the shelves, with more space given to them than ever before. So much is the demand, it can sometimes be hard to get hold of!

Why?

Being featured on mainstream TV

Since I first heard of a2 Milk™ back in March 2015, they’ve featured on mainstream TV with Food Unwrapped, and have also conducted and produced a report which sheds light on the parallels between gluten intolerance and A1 intolerance and how it may not be lactose intolerance causing the symptoms that people report they are suffering from.

It has given a fascinating insight into how our guts are affected by the A1 protein and the symptoms it causes.

Before I carry on, I will say that a2 Milk™ is NOT suitable for anyone suffering with a cow’s milk protein allergy! This is still dairy, and it still contains milk protein!

You can click here for guidelines to check whether a2 Milk™ would be suitable for you.

(DISCLAIMER – If you have any doubt, please consult a Health Care Professional before attempting to try this milk)

Why is a2Milk™ different?

Cow’s milk originally contained only the A2 protein, and no A1. Over the years, due to human domestication of cows, the A1 protein is found far more prominently, with regular cow’s milk made up of a mixture of A1 and A2 protein.

With a2 Milk™, the cow’s DNA is checked and only cows naturally producing A2 are selected. To put it in simple terms, it’s like someone who has blonde hair, and someone who has brown hair.

So, do you love milk, but it doesn’t love you?

If you’ve ever experienced any of these symptoms, it’s possible that the A1 protein found in most cow’s milk could be the cause:

• Bloating
• Cramping
• Skin problems
• Trouble digesting
• Discomfort

As I’ve explained previously, the new studies have shown that A1 protein which is found in most cow’s milk can be difficult for many people to digest. Our guts find it a challenge to break the protein down into individual amino acids, and because of this, it remains as a protein fragment. It is this, which causes the problems people associate with milk.

How so?

Well, in people who struggle to cope with this, it is this protein fragment that causes the bloating, discomfort, cramping and trouble digesting as it slows down the speed at which the protein moves through our digestive system.

But it doesn’t stop there. It can also show up as eczema in some people. It can also cause blocked noses and phlegmy coughs, as it causes our bodies to make too much mucus as a side effect.

The side effects for me

I’ve suffered with IBS for years, and struggle to control my symptoms at times. When I completed the 4-week challenge last year, it was a real eye opener for me. I had found something that would actually help, and improve how I was feeling. It was a total revelation! I’ve not looked back, and will only use a2 Milk™.

Now, with a son who suffers with a very severe dairy allergy, I know that this milk would never be suitable for him.

But, through trying it myself, for my own gut issues, I can say that it truly does make a difference.

Gone are the days where I have a seriously bloated tummy coupled with bad cramps, to the point where I look several months pregnant and end up in extreme discomfort! Trust me when I say they are very unpleasant symptoms.

Why is it so popular?

Aside from all the benefits of not causing the symptoms as mentioned above, people are now becoming far more astute to the nutritional content of the foods they consume.

For those that are able to tolerate dairy, there’s a multitude of health benefits that it brings to the table as it contains the following:

• Vitamin A - essential for good vision and a healthy immune system
• Vitamin B12 - maintains healthy nerves and red blood cells
• Vitamin C - essential for maintenance of blood vessels, muscles and bones
• Vitamin D - assists with the absorption of calcium and phosphorus
• Vitamin E - prevents damage to cell membranes by acting as an antioxidant
• Riboflavin - releases energy from foods
• Folate - essential for cell division and correct development of tissue
• Calcium - essential for healthy teeth and bones
• Magnesium - essential for skeletal development
• Potassium - essential for fluid balance, muscle contraction and heart function
• Zinc - essential for fighting infection and wound healing

Add to this, the fact that a2 Milk™ tastes like milk ‘used to’, and is great to cook with, and you have a winning combination.

I for one have it as a permanent fixture in my fridge!

With all of these facts, it’s not hard to see why it is so very popular!

You can see what other people think with the testimonials featured on the a2 Milk website where there is a mix of adults who have avoided milk for years due to the symptoms it caused. There's also a video of a little boy who suffered with unpleasant symptoms when consuming normal milk, but his mum found that a2 Milk didn't cause any symptoms for him. It makes for interesting reading and backs up my claims too!

Have you tried it? Has it made a difference for you? What do you think?