We are always curious about breast milk and we often wonder what does colostrum taste like? Read this article to know more.
What is colostrum?
Colostrum is the first milk produced from the mammary glands of mammals, including humans, immediately after they give birth. The production continues for 3 to 4 days after delivery, and then the regular milk or mature milk starts to come in. The production of colostrum begins in the last stages of pregnancy and may sometimes leak from the nipples even before delivery, which is considered normal.
Colostrum is thick, sticky, clear, or yellow in color and more concentrated than regular milk. Your breasts make only 1 to 4 teaspoons of colostrum per day, but it is sufficient for your baby’s little tummy. It provides complete nutrition for the newborn and offers protection from infections.
What Does Colostrum Taste Like?
Colostrum has a higher sodium content than regular milk, which makes it taste slightly salty. It also has a lesser amount of lactose which is the sugar present in milk, making it less sweet than regular breastmilk.
Composition and Benefits
For Babies
Colostrum’s composition consists of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, oligosaccharides, vitamins, minerals, and anti-microbial compounds. It has a higher content of proteins and vitamins A, E, and K in comparison to regular milk. Its protein content satiates the baby’s hunger and also helps your baby gain weight. It is nutrient-dense and packed with tissue/musculoskeletal repair and growth factors. This aids in tissue regeneration wound healing, and the growth and development of the baby.
It is also rich in antibodies that provide passive immunity to the baby. This helps the baby fight off infections and diseases, and it is also very protective for the delicate digestive systems of newborns. Babies are born with a permeable gut lining which makes them susceptible to infections. Colostrum seals and strengthens the lining and protects against infections, pathogens, and later-life health issues like food allergies and asthma.
Colostrum functions as a laxative, making your baby pass their first stools, thus getting their digestive system going. It helps treat diarrhea and strengthens the gut lining in both babies and adults, also helps prevent jaundice in newborns, and helps their little body to excrete waste products effectively. It regulates blood sugar levels, body temperature, metabolism, vascular function and helps prevent upper respiratory tract infections.
For Adults
The colostrum that bovines produce is available commercially as a dietary supplement as it offers a host of health benefits. Athletes and bodybuilders consume it to build lean muscle mass, burn fat, increase strength and stamina, accelerate injury healing, increase energy levels and boost immunity. It also has anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
It protects the gastrointestinal tract from the effects of certain drugs like NSAIDs (Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) which are long-term drugs prescribed for those suffering from osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Take home
It is of no wonder that given its astounding benefits, colostrum has earned sobriquets like ‘liquid gold’ and ‘superfood.’ New mothers do their babies a lifetime of good by breastfeeding their babies this amazing natural food.
