Cow Urine Unsuitable For Human Consumption, Contains At Least 14 Types Of Harmful Bacteria: Veterinary Research Body

Urine samples from healthy cows and bulls contained at least 14 types of harmful bacteria, a new study has found. These bacteria include Escherichia coli, which can cause diarrhoea and vomiting.

Cow urine, which several people believe possesses miraculous properties, is unsuitable for direct human consumption, new research suggests. This is because it contains potentially harmful bacteria. The study describing the findings was conducted by the Bareilly-based ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI). This is India’s premier animal research body.

According to the new study, published in the online research website ResearchGate, buffalo urine is more effective on certain bacteria.

Some of the bacteria found in cow urine

Urine samples from healthy cows and bulls contained at least 14 types of harmful bacteria, an IANS report said, citing the study. These bacteria include Escherichia coli, a gram-negative bacteria which can cause diarrhoea, stomach pain, nausea and vomiting.

Quoting Bhoj Raj Singh, the lead researcher, the report said that statistical analysis of 73 urine samples of cows, buffaloes and humans suggests that antibacterial activity in buffalo urine was far more superior than that of cow urine. He explained that buffalo urine was significantly more effective on bacteria such as Staphylococcus epidermidis and Erwinia rhapontici.

Staphylococcus epidermidis can cause nausea, vomiting, and stomach pain, and result in bone infections. Erwinia rhapontici is a plant pathogen.

Singh said that the researchers collected urine samples of three types of cows: Sahiwal, Tharparkar and Vrindavani. 

According to the United States National Institutes of Health (NIH), Vrindavani is a composite breed developed by crossbreeding taurine dairy breeds with native indicine cattle, or humped cattle.

The study was conducted between June and November 2022. The findings indicate that a sizable proportion of urine samples from apparently healthy individuals carry potentially pathogenic bacteria. 

Singh also said that in no case can urine be recommended for human consumption, and that the team is conducting further research on whether distilled urine contains infectious bacteria, as claimed by some people.

Many Indian market suppliers sell cow urine without the FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) trademark.