The science and the tradition
Mare's Milkwhat the research says
Mare's milk has been prized for centuries across the steppes of Central Asia, where it is drunk fresh and fermented as koumiss. Researchers are now studying what makes it distinctive. This page is a plain-language summary of what the published literature reports, and where the evidence is still emerging.
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A milk close to human milk
Reviews describe mare's milk as having a composition similar to human milk, with a lighter fat and protein profile than cow's milk.
Source: Xue et al., Frontiers in Nutrition, 2023. Values vary with breed and lactation stage.
What researchers are exploring
Each area below is labelled with the type of evidence behind it, so you can judge it for yourself.
Close to human milk
Reviews note that the chemical composition of mare's milk is similar to human milk, which is why researchers have been interested in it for infant feeding. It is not a replacement for breast milk or infant formula, and any change to a baby's diet should be discussed with a paediatrician.
Source: Czech Journal of Animal Science →Naturally protective proteins
Mare's milk contains lysozyme and lactoferrin, which act together as a natural antibacterial pair. Lysozyme has also been suggested to support wound healing. These findings come from laboratory research, not from trials in people.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition →Koumiss research
Much of the published health research is on koumiss, fermented mare's milk, studied in cells and mice for gut, immune and metabolic effects. These studies cannot be applied directly to mare's milk powder.
Source: Frontiers in Nutrition →Immunity and gut support
A review of camel and mare milk in medical practice reports that mare's milk may strengthen immunity and support gut health, and concludes that randomised clinical trials are needed before it can be considered a reliable option.
Source: Review by Kazakhstan researchers →Photos
Life on the steppe where our herds live.
Watch & learn
Short videos on how to prepare and enjoy our products.
What we can say, and what we can't
Mare's milk is a traditional food with an interesting composition. But the reviewers note that much of the health research is on fermented koumiss, that testing has been limited to cells and animals, and that allergies and contraindications have not been adequately studied. We would rather show you the research honestly than overpromise.
References & further reading
Published reviews and research papers about mare's milk.
AGATA LIFE
Our mare's milk powder
Mare's milk powder from the steppes of Kazakhstan.
Produced in Kazakhstan by SaumalBioTech LLP, an ISO 22000:2018 certified manufacturer. View certificates