The key difference between A2 milk and lactaid is that A2 milk is a variety of milk that lacks a form of beta-casein milk protein called A1 while lactaid is a variety of milk which lacks lactose.
Some people may have a problem drinking regular milk. They may get symptoms such as abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhea, and gas, etc. due to intolerance of lactose and milk proteins. Lactaid and A2 milk are two varieties of milk which provide alternatives for people who may have milk intolerance to digest. A2 milk lacks A1 milk protein, while lactaid lacks lactose.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is A2 Milk
3. What is Lactaid
4. Similarities Between A2 Milk and Lactaid
5. Side by Side Comparison – A2 Milk vs Lactaid in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What is A2 Milk?
A2 milk is a variety of cow’s milk which contains only A2 protein. Casein is a milk protein. There are several types of casein, and beta-casein is the second most prevalent among them. Beta casein exists in two forms as A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein. Therefore, A1 and A2 beta caseins are two genetic variants of beta-casein. They differ from each other by one amino acid.
Figure 01: A2 Milk
Regular milk has both A1 and A2 beta-casein proteins. A1 protein is associated with digestive problems in some people. Sometimes it may take a longer time to digest both A1 and A2 proteins together. This slow rate of digestion may cause gastrointestinal inflammation and symptoms like gas and abdominal pain. Hence, A2 milk contains only A2 type milk protein and provides relief for people who are suffering from protein intolerance.
What is Lactaid?
Lactose intolerance is the incapability to digest lactose in dairy products, especially in the milk. This arises due to the lack of lactose digesting enzyme called lactase in the small intestine. Some people do not produce enough lactase. In order to overcome lactose intolerance, there is a variety of milk called lactaid, which is lactose-free milk.
Figure 02: Lactaid
Lactaid has lactase to predigest the lactose. Hence, people who suffer from lactose intolerance can consume lactaid without any symptoms. Lactaid has a slightly sweeter taste. It is made from 100% real dairy; hence it is safe to consume.
What are the Similarities Between A2 Milk and Lactaid?
- A2 milk and lactaid are two versions of milk.
- They are different from regular milk.
- Both taste similar to regular milk and to each other.
- Nutritionally, A2 milk and lactaid are pretty much equal to regular milk.
- Both can be more expensive than regular milk.
- A2 milk and lactaid provide alternatives for people who may have milk intolerance to digest.
What is the Difference Between A2 Milk and Lactaid?
A2 milk contains only A2 beta-casein protein while lactaid is a lactose-free milk. So, this is the key difference between A2 milk and lactaid. A2 milk lacks A1 beta-casein milk protein, while lactaid lacks lactose. Therefore, A2 milk is a relief for the people intolerant to milk protein, while lactaid is a relief for the people intolerant to lactose.
Below tabulation summarizes the difference between A2 milk and lactaid.
Summary – A2 Milk vs Lactaid
Both A2 milk and lactaid are two varieties of milk. Both are easier to digest. A2 milk lacks A1 beta-casein milk protein. It contains only A2 beta-casein protein. Thus, it prevents gas, bloating and diarrhea associated with protein intolerance. On the other hand, lactaid is a lactose-free milk. Lactase is added to predigest lactose. A2 milk is a relief for protein intolerance while lactaid is a relief for lactose intolerance. Thus, this summarizes the difference between A2 milk and lactaid.
Reference:
1. “What Is A2 Milk?”. Consumer Reports, 2020, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “IMAG0583” By Joe Loong (CC BY-SA 2.0) via Flickr
2. By BlackCab – Self-photographed (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia