"When you look at the difference between camel's milk versus cow's milk, the macronutrient content is quite similar -- carbohydrates, proteins, and fats," said registered dietitian Susan Dopart.
The author and nutrition expert took a hard look at camel milk nutrients, weighing against commonly consumed low fat cow's milk. She found a few key differences.
First, camel's milk has a short shelf life -- half that of cow's milk. And then there's cost.
"With cow's milk being $5 a gallon, camel's milk [is] $145 a gallon," said Dopart.
Actually, camel milk is sold for $18 per 16 ounce bottle, clearly a bit pricey.
Desert Farms, the first camel milk retailer in the United States, touts quite a few benefits. Sold raw and pasteurized, it is a good source of Vitamin B1 and potassium.
The camels raised on American Amish-Mennonite farms are GMO, preservative and hormone free.
A handful of small studies suggest this milk might help with some diseases.
One small study gave type 1 diabetics camel's milk for about a year. It was observed that test subjects reduced their insulin dose by quite a bit.
"Camel's milk has an insulin and an insulin-type protein," said Dopart.
That is a benefit for this reason:
"In America, there's a carbohydrate intolerance. Because we are taking in approximately 200 more grams of carbohydrate per day than we need," said Dopart.
USC Nutrition student Farah Alrajaan says camel products are a staple in the Middle East.
"In places like Dubai, they have like brands called Camel-licious. And they have camel milk chocolate, camel milk kefir, regular camel milk," said Alrajaan.
Taste wise, Dopart says it's probably an acquired one but Alrajaan gave it a thumbs up.