Buffalo Milk · Heart
Buffalo Milk and Cholesterol: How Much It Has & Who Should Limit It
Buffalo milk has about 19 mg cholesterol per 100 g versus about 10 mg in whole cow milk, so about 49 mg per glass. Per gram of fat it actually has slightly less (about 2.8 mg versus 3.1 mg), because it simply has twice the fat. For blood cholesterol, its saturated fat (about 4.6 g per 100 g, 12 g per glass) matters more than its dietary cholesterol. People with high LDL cholesterol should keep portions small or choose toned milk.
Quick take
- 19 mg vs 10 mg cholesterol per 100 g (buffalo vs cow).
- ~49 mg per glass of 250 ml.
- Saturated fat (~12 g per glass) is the bigger issue.
- High LDL? Smaller portions or toned milk.
“Buffalo milk raises cholesterol” is a common worry. The numbers give a more precise answer.
The ghee version of this question: is ghee good for cholesterol?
Cholesterol in buffalo vs cow milk
| Buffalo milk | Whole cow milk | |
|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol per 100 g | 19 mg | 10 mg |
| Per 250 ml glass | ~49 mg | ~26 mg |
| Saturated fat per 100 g | 4.6 g | 1.9 g |
| Cholesterol per gram of fat | ~2.8 mg | ~3.1 mg |
So buffalo milk’s fat is not “more cholesterol-rich”; there is simply more fat in each glass.
Dietary cholesterol vs blood cholesterol
For most people, the cholesterol you eat has a smaller effect on blood LDL than the saturated fat you eat. A glass of buffalo milk carries about 12 g of saturated fat, which is a meaningful share of the daily limit many guidelines suggest. That is the number to watch.
Who should limit buffalo milk
- People with high LDL cholesterol or heart disease.
- People advised to lose weight (weight loss).
- Anyone whose doctor has set a saturated-fat limit.
Easy swaps
- Toned or double-toned milk for the daily glass.
- Skim the malai after boiling.
- Keep buffalo milk for curd or chai in small amounts (buffalo milk for tea).
And buffalo ghee?
Ghee is concentrated fat: our buffalo ghee tests at 224 mg cholesterol and 71.4 g saturated fat per 100 g. A teaspoon (about 5 g) gives about 11 mg cholesterol and 3.6 g saturated fat, so portion is everything (A2 ghee fatty acids, how much ghee per day).
Sources & references
Frequently asked questions
Does buffalo milk have more cholesterol than cow milk?
Yes per glass: about 19 mg versus 10 mg per 100 g. Per gram of fat, buffalo milk has slightly less.
Is buffalo milk bad for high cholesterol?
Its saturated fat (about 12 g per glass) can raise LDL, so people with high cholesterol should limit portions or choose toned milk.
How much cholesterol is in a glass of buffalo milk?
About 49 mg in a 250 ml glass.
Is buffalo ghee high in cholesterol?
Our buffalo ghee tests at 224 mg per 100 g, about 11 mg per teaspoon.
A teaspoon goes a long way
A2 Farmer Buffalo Bilona Ghee — A2A2 confirmed by PCR, 99.76% milk fat, hand-churned and glass-packed. From ₹799.
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