Mooove over, cow’s milk — there’s a better dairy product for stronger muscles

Got milk?

We’ve all been led to believe that cow’s milk is best for strong, healthy bones.

But a new study — published in the journal Food Science and Nutrition — casts some doubt upon this well-trodden, bovine myth.

Researchers fed aging mice a drug used to induce sarcopenia — age-related muscle loss — and then supplemented diets with variants of goat or cow milk.

Not only did dairy supplementation alleviate loss of lean weight, but critically, only goat milk products (not bovine) significantly reduced fat weight.

Among the milks tested, low‑fat goat milk fortified with vitamin D and calcium (GFM) came out on top.

Sarcopenia afflicts 10–27% of older adults worldwide, often leading to falls, frailty and soaring healthcare costs.

Current prevention strategies lean heavily on resistance training and high‑protein diets.

Dairy is already in the mix, but this study suggests goat milk — especially low‑fat fortified forms — may offer superior anti‑inflammatory, gut health and muscle‑building benefits compared to conventional cow’s milk.

It’s not the first time goat milk has made the news as a buzzy health trend.

The residents of Sardinia, Italy — who routinely live past 100 — swear by goat milk as a longevity secret, thanks to its richness in potassium and stress‑relieving tryptophan.

Goat milk contains 33% more potassium — which is crucial for maintaining fluid balance, proper muscle function, nerve transmission and supporting heart health — per serving compared to cow milk.

It’s also easier to digest due to smaller fat globules and lower levels of the allergenic A1 casein protein.

Goat milk is less inflammatory and better tolerated by people with mild lactose sensitivity.

Plus, it’s naturally higher in certain bioactive compounds, like oligosaccharides and medium-chain triglycerides, which offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits.

You can find goat’s milk at most major grocery stores, including Whole Foods and Walmart.