Wonders of a2 milk (review + giveaway c/d 5 July)

Eddie, sipping milk, "Mummy, I am going to be very strong!"

As soon as you or someone in your family get digestive problems, everyone around starts nodding wisely and saying the milk may be the culprit. Often after this self-diagnosis people cut out the milk altogether, without bothering to find out if they're truly lactose-intolerant, hence depriving themselves of many life's pleasures, from a creamy custard to a luxurious ice cream, from a yogurt to a curry.
I read with great interest that "for 20% of us, milk doesn't seem to agree with our system, triggering unpleasant digestive symptoms.  Many people who have this reaction decide they must be lactose-intolerant, though only 5% are medically diagnosed.  Instead, they often choose to cut milk out of their diets without ever seeing a doctor, and more alarmingly nearly 40% of parents don’t let their children try milk either.  But what they don’t know is that many of them have an altogether different problem – and it’s one that can be solved without giving up all the delicious benefits of dairy.
Not all milk is the same
There are different types of proteins in Milk including ones called A1 and A2. Regular dairy cows produce milk that contains both the A1 and A2 protein.
Studies show that the A1 protein breaks down more slowly in the body, and for some people this can lead to uncomfortable symptoms that are similar to those of lactose intolerance. But for many of these people, the problem isn't lactose (which is the sugar in milk) at all – the A1 protein could be the issue".

I confess I haven't heard of a2 milk until recently, yet once I read about it, I have easily spotted it in the local Waitrose.
A2 Milk Company has selected 20 farms in the Shropshire, Cheshire and North Wales regions and identified cows from existing herds that naturally produce milk containing only the A2 protein and no A1 protein (It's a hereditary thing & yes they are called a2 Cows).
They say: "Now a2 Milk is available in the UK market, and so far we have around 3,000 certified A2 cows producing pure a2 milk for us, mostly Friesians and Holsteins. They are milked separately from the other cows on the farm, and the milk they produce is pure, natural and delicious. The only difference is that it's missing the A1 protein that maybe causing trouble for so many people!"

My little man is a fussy eater, but he is happy to drink milk, both cold from the fridge and warm with a bit of honey before bedtime. He likes to tell me that milk makes him grow healthy and strong.
It is well known that calcium in milk is essential for healthy bones and teeth. It contains vitamins and minerals, and has a lot of health benefits for both children and grown-ups.

According to Dr Hilary Jones, an NHS GP and medical presenter on well-known shows like ITV's Daybreak,
“Milk is the nearest thing you can get to complete nutrition in a glass. It’s a great sustainer and concentration booster for children at school. It is much healthier than any fizzy drink, and it’s an excellent post-exercise recovery food, as it has a balance of protein, carbohydrates, water and micronutrients"

What did we think of a2 milk?
To be honest, I couldn't guess which one is which, when I did a blind test with a2 and standard milk. A2 milk is tasty, as it is, or added to tea and coffee.

A cup of coffee with a2 milk

If you use it with a coffee maker to make a cappuccino or latte, it comes frothy and light.
As none of us have dairy problems, we only tested it for taste. I think if someone in the family cannot consume a1 milk, this milk is a solution, and can be used by the whole family.
All in all, a delicious milk, which will benefit people who have health issues with A1 protein.
Have you tried a2 milk?

For more information, visit A2Milk website.

Disclosure: I received some vouchers to try a2 milk and review on my blog. All opinions are mine.

A2 milk have kindly offered a prize for my blog readers - a month's supply of a2 milk (in vouchers). Please enter, using a Rafflecopter form, and good luck!

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The giveaway will close on 5 July midnight (from the 4th to the 5th).

a Rafflecopter giveaway (link removed as expired)