Yak Milk: Nutritional Value, Functional Activity, and Current Applications

Area of Science:

• Zoology
• Nutritional Science
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Yaks inhabit the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, a unique high-altitude environment.
• Yak milk possesses distinct nutritional and bioactive properties compared to cow milk.
• Growing research interest focuses on yak milk's health-promoting potential.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current research on yak milk's nutritional composition and functionality.
• To elucidate the mechanisms of action for yak milk's bioactive components.
• To highlight yak milk's potential as a source of nutritional and functional substances.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing scientific studies on yak milk.
• Analysis of nutritional composition data.
• Examination of research on bioactive components and their functional properties.

Main Results:

• Yak milk is rich in nutrients and contains bioactive components with demonstrated antioxidant, anticancer, antibacterial, blood pressure-lowering, anti-fatigue, and constipation-relieving effects in vitro or in animal models.
• The mechanisms underlying these functional properties are being elucidated.
• Yak milk products are briefly introduced.

Conclusions:

• Yak milk possesses significant nutritional value and diverse functional properties attributed to its bioactive components.
• Further research, particularly human clinical trials, is necessary to confirm these health benefits.
• Yak milk holds considerable potential for development and utilization as a functional food ingredient.