A group of nomads from the north Telangana region have arrived in north coastal Andhra with a herd of donkeys and are doing brisk business selling donkey milk at Rs.2000 per litre, that they claim has medicinal value for newborn babies.
As reported in today’s Times of India, A woman spotted with a pair of donkeys and surrounded by milk buyers at Sivajipalem, explained that 20 more people had arrived in the district few days ago from Adilabad district of Telangana with 15 pairs of donkeys to sell donkey’s milk that is believed to be a remedy for curing asthma and any respiratory problems in newborns.
Can drinking donkey’s milk help you to stay in shape? ‘Yes’, says a new study.
Researchers have found that donkeys’ or asses’ milk works wonders on waistlines. And, with high quantities of omega-3 oils and calcium, it may be better for the heart and help keep energy levels up throughout the day, says the study.
High levels of calcium that make it good for your bones add to its health-giving properties. In experiments, it is found that cow’s milk and donkey milk provided the same amount of energy but the latter caused more weight gain as it raised metabolism.
In the study, Italian scientists gave rats either cows’ milk or asses’ milk to drink on top of their usual food. While those given cows’ milk became heavier than normal rats, those drinking asses’ milk put on less weight.
They also had lower levels of blood fats and other fats that can damage the arteries and the heart. And their mitochondria — the tiny batteries that power cells — were super-charged, turning food into energy at a fast pace.
Taken together, this suggests that the consumption of asses’ milk should be encouraged, the researchers told the International Congress on Obesity in Istanbul. Previous Italian research has suggested that asses’ milk is a good alternative to cows’ milk for children with allergies. However, those who are keen to give asses’ milk a try may have to be patient. Although popular in Victorian times, it fell out of fashion and is not believed to currently be on sale anywhere in Britain, according to the Donkey Breed Society.
Asses’ milk also happened to be the secret lotion in Cleopatra’s beauty armoury.