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Donkey milk is a food and not a treatment for diabetes. For your planning, one thing is especially important: donkey milk contains about 6 to 7 g of carbohydrates per 100 ml in the form of lactose – rather more than cow’s milk. If you have diabetes, please discuss your diet with your doctor or diabetes care team.
Foods do not treat diseases
You may sometimes read online that donkey milk regulates blood sugar or has “antidiabetic properties.” We cannot confirm such claims. Foods do not treat diseases, and statements linking a food to the treatment or prevention of a disease are not permitted in the EU.
Diabetes is a medical condition that requires medical supervision. Diet is an important part of this – but it is tailored individually as part of your treatment. Donkey milk can play a role in this, if at all, only as a normal food.
Carbohydrates in donkey milk: the figures
The carbohydrates in donkey milk come almost entirely from lactose, which is natural milk sugar. For planning with carbohydrate units (1 CHO ≈ 10 g of carbohydrates) or bread units (1 BU ≈ 12 g), these calculated guidelines apply:
| Quantity | Lactose (approx.) | CHO (approx.) | BU (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 ml | 6–7 g | 0.6–0.7 | 0.5–0.6 |
| 200 ml | 12–14 g | 1.2–1.4 | 1.0–1.2 |
| 250 ml | 15–17.5 g | 1.5–1.75 | 1.25–1.5 |
These figures are estimates. Donkey milk is a natural product whose composition varies. The carbohydrate information on your product’s label is the authoritative source.
Lactose is sugar – even without added sugar
Donkey milk is not naturally sugar-free. Lactose is a sugar and counts fully toward your carbohydrate calculation – even if nothing has been added to sweeten it. Because donkey milk has a mild and slightly sweet taste, this is sometimes underestimated.
For comparison: cow’s milk contains around 4.7 g of lactose per 100 ml, while donkey milk contains about 6 to 7 g. Donkey milk therefore contains more lactose than cow’s milk, not less. If you switch from cow’s milk to donkey milk, you should recalculate the carbohydrates.
Donkey milk in an individual meal plan
Whether and in what quantity donkey milk fits into your diet is best decided together with your treatment team. You can bring the following points to this discussion:
- Carbohydrate content: about 6 to 7 g per 100 ml, according to the label.
- Combinations: Muesli, porridge, or smoothies add carbohydrates from the other ingredients.
- Powder: 10 g of donkey milk powder plus 90 ml of water makes about 100 ml of milk. The carbohydrate content is shown on the packaging.
- Fat and energy: about 35 to 45 kcal and usually less than 1 g of fat per 100 ml.
It can be useful to record the quantity you use for a while – for example in your diet or diabetes diary, if you keep one. This way, you will have concrete information to discuss with your treatment team at your next appointment. When using the powder, it is better to weigh it than to measure it by eye, so that your calculation is accurate.
Never change your treatment on your own because of a food. If you are unsure, ask.
What research is investigating
Donkey milk is primarily investigated scientifically because of its composition – for example, its protein profile or components such as lysozyme and lactoferrin, which occur naturally in milk. Such studies do not prove that it has an effect on diabetes. If you come across “studies show…” somewhere, ask yourself exactly what was investigated, in whom, and what the results were – and whether the statement is permitted for a food at all. You can find an overview of the research topics on our page Donkey milk in research.
Frequently asked questions
Can I drink donkey milk if I have diabetes?
This can only be answered individually. Please discuss it with your doctor or diabetes care team and take the carbohydrate content shown on the label into account.
How many CHO are in a glass of donkey milk?
A 200 ml glass contains about 12 to 14 g of lactose. This calculates to around 1.2 to 1.4 CHO.
Is there a glycemic index for donkey milk?
We do not have a value that we can give you as reliable. Therefore, rely on the carbohydrate information and the recommendations of your treatment team.
Is donkey milk powder calculated differently?
When mixed (10 g of powder plus 90 ml of water), it corresponds to about 100 ml of donkey milk. You can find the exact carbohydrate values on the packaging.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. If you have health-related questions, please contact your doctor.
