The European Safety Authority (EFSA), who provide independent scientific advice on emerging and existing risks in food safety reviewed the research underpinning the role of Beta-casein variants in health and disease in 2009.

They concluded that regular cows’ milk digests differently from a2 Milk because it produces BCM-7 that causes changes in gastrointestinal function:

“Food derived peptides, including casomorphins can have different effects in the intestinal lumen and the intestinal mucosa, such as regulatory effects on gastro-intestinal motility and on gastric and pancreatic secretion”

 

They go further to say:

“More specifically, beta-casomorphins can interact with endogenous opioid systems in the gastrointestinal wall in neonates as well as adults”

This conclusively shows and EFSA accepts that A1 beta-casein and A2 beta-casein digest differently from one another.