Buyer protection
Contents
- Misconception 1: “Donkey milk contains less lactose than cow's...
- Misconception 2: “Donkey milk powder is lactose-free”
- Misconception 3: “Freezing changes the lactose content”
- Misconception 4: “Donkey milk is particularly easy to digest”
- Misconception 5: “Because it resembles breast milk, it is...
- What is actually true instead
- Frequently Asked Questions
There are many claims about donkey milk and lactose – often well-intentioned, but factually untenable. The most important correction upfront: donkey milk contains about 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml, which is therefore more than cow's milk. In this fact check, we go through five common misconceptions and explain what is actually true.
Misconception 1: “Donkey milk contains less lactose than cow's milk”
This statement is read often – but it is not true. Donkey milk contains about 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml. Cow's milk is around 4.7 g. Donkey milk is therefore more likely to be among the lactose-rich types of milk.
By the way, this is not a disadvantage for the taste: The milk sugar provides the slightly sweet, mild note that many appreciate about donkey milk. However, for people who have to limit their lactose intake, this figure is important.
Misconception 2: “Donkey milk powder is lactose-free”
This is also not true. In freeze-dried donkey milk powder, the water is removed from the milk – the milk sugar remains intact. The powder therefore contains the lactose in concentrated form.
If you mix 10 g of powder with 90 ml of water, you get about 100 ml of donkey milk. The lactose content of this mixture therefore corresponds approximately to that of liquid donkey milk. You will always find the ingredients and nutritional values on the label.
Misconception 3: “Freezing changes the lactose content”
Some assume that milk changes fundamentally through freezing. However, no milk sugar is removed during freezing. Frozen donkey milk still contains lactose after thawing.
For storage: Keep donkey milk frozen at −18 °C and thaw it slowly in the refrigerator at 2–7 °C. Please also pay attention to the instructions on the label.
Misconception 4: “Donkey milk is particularly easy to digest”
Phrasings such as “easy to digest,” “gentle on the stomach,” or “better tolerated” appear in many texts. They are not robust. How a person reacts to a food depends on many individual factors – in the case of lactose intolerance, above all on how much lactase the body produces and how much milk sugar is taken in overall.
What can be said factually: Donkey milk is a light milk with about 35–45 kcal and usually less than 1 g of fat per 100 ml. “Light” here refers to energy and fat – not to the question of how well you tolerate it.
Misconception 5: “Because it resembles breast milk, it is better tolerated”
Donkey milk is often compared with human breast milk. Such comparisons refer to individual characteristics of the composition. However, they say nothing about how an adult person with lactose intolerance reacts to donkey milk. And they are no argument for feeding babies: Donkey milk is no substitute for breast milk or infant formula.
What is actually true instead
- Donkey milk contains about 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml.
- It contains about 1.5–1.9 g of protein and around 60–90 mg of calcium per 100 ml.
- It naturally contains lysozyme and lactoferrin – as ingredients, not as a promise.
- Whether you can eat lactose-containing foods and in what quantity, you should best discuss with your doctor or a nutrition professional.
How donkey milk is scientifically investigated, we have summarized on our page Donkey milk in research.
Why such misconceptions persist so stubbornly
Many statements about donkey milk are passed from site to site on the internet without anyone checking the figures. In addition, donkey milk is rare: A donkey gives about 1–2 liters of milk per day in addition to the milk for its foal. What is rare and special is quickly imbued with additional properties.
We prefer to stick to verifiable values. The nutritional values we mention are common ranges from the specialist literature and are always to be understood as approximate values – milk is a natural product and fluctuates in its composition.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much lactose is in a glass of donkey milk?
In 200 ml of donkey milk, there are around 12–14 g of lactose. You will find the exact information on the label.
Does donkey cheese also contain lactose?
Donkey cheese is made from donkey milk. According to the label, you will find information about ingredients, nutritional values, and allergens on the respective packaging.
Can I combine donkey milk with lactase preparations?
This question belongs in a conversation with your doctor or your pharmacy. We cannot give a recommendation on this.
Why do others write that donkey milk is low in lactose?
Probably because the statement is often passed on unchecked. The usual values from the specialist literature show about 6–7 g of lactose per 100 ml.
Donkey milk is a food and not a medicine. For health questions, please contact your doctor.
