A debate is raging across the scientific world about the effectiveness of camel milk in treating diabetes, with a Middle East company promoting its use and modern research claiming that there is no clear indication of its effectiveness.

Camel milk can be an effective remedy for diabetes as it contains high levels of insulin and helped sufferers of Type 2 diabetes by reducing their reliance on injections, published reports said citing Indian studies.

Even if the insulin in the milk did work, it would have to be taken in very specific quantities at certain times of the day otherwise people with diabetes would be at greater risk of low and high blood glucose levels, warned experts.

"Even if camel's milk is high in insulin, people with diabetes should not think that this could have benefits for their diabetes management,’’ a spokesman for Diabetes UK said. Unlike cow’s milk or buffalo’s milk, the camel milk tastes salty. The camel’s milk is also high in vitamin C and low in fat.

Camel milk is watery and the fat content in it is about two per cent while it is four per cent in cow's milk. It is lower in cholesterol and has five times more vitamin C than that of the cows. Researchers say the milk is also more digestible than cow's milk and suitable for those suffering from lactose intolerance, an allergic condition where the milk is puked out or passed out undigested.

Camel milk is already consumed in the Middle East, parts of Africa and India. It may soon be find its way on to the shelves of supermarkets across the UK as the European Commission has provisionally approved plans by two Middle Eastern camel farms to export the milk to Britain.

Camels produce only 13 pints a day compared to more than 50 that can be gained from cows. This probably explains why there are only a handful of camel milk firms around the world.

Camelicious, a firm based in United Arab Emirates is one of the leading marketers in the world. It is currently expecting an inspection from European health and hygiene inspectors to get clearance for exporting camel milk to European countries. Camelicious, however, produces only 5,000 litres of camel milk a day. It is less than even one per cent of Europe's daily milk consumption.

"It is a niche market,‘’ said Mutasher Al-Badry, deputy general manager of the Camelicious, "We don't expect to compete with cow's milk but we know there are lots of people who want to enjoy the health benefits of camel milk and we are confident that the EU will give us approval."