Camel milk consumption patterns and perceptions in the UAE: a cross-sectional study

Camel milk has been consumed for centuries due to its medicinal and healing properties. The present study aims to investigate the consumption patterns of camel milk and perceived benefits and risks among adults in the United Arab Emirates. A self-administered online questionnaire was developed in En...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Journal of nutritional science (Cambridge) Vol. 11; p. e59
Main Authors:	Cheikh Ismail, Leila, Osaili, Tareq M., Mohamad, Maysm N., Zakaria, Hala, Ali, Aaesha, Tarek, Asma, Ashfaq, Alizeh, Al Abdouli, Mohamed A., Saleh, Sheima T., Daour, Rameez Al, AlRajaby, Radhiya, Stojanovska, Lily, Al Dhaheri, Ayesha S.
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01-01-2022
Subjects:	Arabic language Attitudes Consumer behavior Consumers COVID-19 Cross-sectional studies Dietary Surveys and Nutritional Epidemiology Food safety Health benefits Knowledge Lactose Milk Nutrition Nutritional value Pandemics Pathogens Questionnaires Social networks United Arab Emirates Unpasteurised milk Unpasteurised milk Food safety United Arab Emirates Nutritional value Knowledge Health benefits
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Summary:	Camel milk has been consumed for centuries due to its medicinal and healing properties. The present study aims to investigate the consumption patterns of camel milk and perceived benefits and risks among adults in the United Arab Emirates. A self-administered online questionnaire was developed in English and Arabic languages and was completed online by 852 adults. Socio-demographic characteristics, camel milk consumption patterns and perceived knowledge of the benefits and risks of camel milk were investigated. About 60 % of the participants have tried drinking camel milk, but only a quarter (25⋅1 %) were regular consumers. The most consumed camel milk products after fresh milk were yoghurt and flavoured milk. The most popular additions to camel milk were honey, turmeric and sugar. Most consumers had less than one cup of camel milk per day (57⋅0 %). Camel milk consumers preferred it over other types of milk due to its nutritional value (66⋅4 %) and medicinal properties (39⋅3 %). Among consumers, 58⋅4 % reported consuming unpasteurised camel milk. Reasons included the belief that it is fresher (87⋅2 %), better for the immune system (41⋅6 %), and higher in nutrients (39⋅2 %). Overall, participants had inadequate knowledge about the health benefits of camel milk (7⋅11 ± 5⋅3 out of 25). Males and camel milk consumers had a significantly higher knowledge about the health benefits of camel milk compared to females and non-consumers (P < 0⋅05). Although positive perceptions were common, misperceptions appear to be prevalent among non-consumers. Consuming unpasteurised camel milk is a major public health concern, thus national regulations are essential.
Bibliography:	ObjectType-Article-1 SourceType-Scholarly Journals-1 ObjectType-Feature-2 content type line 23 These authors have contributed equally to this work and share first authorship.
ISSN:	2048-6790 2048-6790
DOI:	10.1017/jns.2022.55