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Donkey milk contains lactose – and not a small amount. With about 6–7 g of milk sugar per 100 ml, it contains more than cow's milk, which contains around 4.7 g. Donkey milk is therefore not a low-lactose alternative. What this means for people with lactose intolerance and what you should look out for is explained here.
What lactose intolerance means
Lactose is the natural sugar in milk. For the body to utilize it, it must be broken down in the small intestine by the enzyme lactase. If the body produces too little lactase, it is called lactose intolerance. How much milk sugar someone can tolerate varies greatly from person to person.
Important: Lactose intolerance is not an allergy. In a milk protein allergy, the immune system reacts to proteins. In lactose intolerance, however, it is exclusively about the milk sugar. Both should be diagnosed by a doctor so that you know what you need to look out for in everyday life.
How much lactose is in donkey milk?
Donkey milk is one of the types of milk with a comparatively high lactose content. This also explains its mild, slightly sweet taste. Comparison per 100 ml:
| Type of milk | Lactose per 100 ml (approx.) |
|---|---|
| Donkey milk | 6–7 g |
| Cow's milk | 4.7 g |
For a glass of 200 ml of donkey milk, this means around 12–14 g of lactose. You should know this amount if you need to keep an eye on your lactose intake.
Why the statement "less lactose" is incorrect
In many texts on the internet, you read that donkey milk contains less lactose than cow's milk and is therefore well suited for lactose intolerance. This is factually incorrect. The values from scientific literature show the opposite.
Formulations such as "gentle", "easy to digest" or "ideal for intolerance" also do not provide reliable information. How your body reacts to a food depends on you – not on a marketing promise. We therefore deliberately refrain from such statements.
What this means for your everyday life
If you have been diagnosed with lactose intolerance, the same applies to donkey milk as to any other food containing lactose:
- Talk to professionals: Your doctor or a nutrition professional can assess whether and in what quantity foods containing lactose are suitable for you.
- Know the quantities: Use the information on the lactose content as a guide. For donkey milk, this is about 6–7 g per 100 ml.
- Read the label: Ingredients and allergens are always listed on the label. There you will also find information on storage and preparation.
- No self-experimentation: Do not try to find out how much you can tolerate on your own, but consult with a professional.
What makes donkey milk unique
Apart from the lactose issue, donkey milk is a light milk: per 100 ml, it provides about 35–45 kcal, usually less than 1 g of fat, about 1.5–1.9 g of protein and around 60–90 mg of calcium. It naturally contains lysozyme and lactoferrin, two protein components that are frequently mentioned in research.
Donkey milk is rare because a donkey gives only about 1–2 liters of milk per day in addition to the milk for its foal. Scientifically, it is primarily studied because of its composition. You can learn more about this on our page Donkey Milk in Research.
Powder and cheese also contain milk components
In addition to liquid donkey milk, there is also freeze-dried donkey milk powder. During this process, water is removed from the milk, while the milk sugar remains. If you mix 10 g of powder with 90 ml of water, you get about 100 ml of donkey milk – with a lactose content in a similar range as liquid donkey milk.
Donkey cheese is also made from donkey milk; around 25 liters of milk are needed for 1 kg of cheese. Always check the label to see exactly which ingredients and allergens a product contains. If you need to keep an eye on your lactose intake, this information is your most reliable source.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is donkey milk suitable for lactose intolerance?
This cannot be stated generally. Donkey milk contains about 6–7 g per 100 ml, which is more lactose than cow's milk. Please discuss with your doctor whether and how much is suitable for you.
Is there lactose-free donkey milk?
Donkey milk naturally contains lactose. Our donkey milk and our donkey milk powder are not lactose-free.
Why does donkey milk taste so mild?
The relatively high milk sugar content provides a slightly sweet note. Together with the low fat content, this results in a mild, light taste.
Is lactose intolerance the same as a milk allergy?
No. Lactose intolerance is about milk sugar, while a milk protein allergy is a reaction to proteins. Both should be clarified by a doctor.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. If you have health questions, please contact your doctor.
