Newcastle upon Tyne, UK—Is organic milk more nutritious than its conventional counterpart? New research suggests the answer is, “Yes.”

A team of experts from Newcastle University in the United Kingdom analyzed 196 published articles papers about the nutritional quality of milk. The group determined organic milk contains 50% more beneficial omega-3 fatty acids than conventional milk. This literature review is published in the February issue of the British Journal of Nutrition.

Studies showed that about 17 ounces of organic milk offers about 16% (39 mg) of one’s recommended daily intake of long-chain omega-3s while conventional milk offers only 11%. The higher levels of omega-3s in organic milk are linked to the outdoor grazing and low concentrate feeding of cows.

Researchers found organic milk is not only higher in omega-3s, but also in levels of fat-soluble vitamins such as vitamin E and carotenoids as well as 40% higher CLA amounts.

Although few studies have been done on organic and non-organic meats, researchers note that with the current positive effects of organic products, the need is present for more research to be done to fully understand other nutritional compounds of farm animals.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine Online, 3/31/16