“Yogurt with live cultures can contribute to gut health” is one of the 10 evidence-based conclusions made by the YINI board about the health effects of yogurt… learn more below
Choose yogurt for improved lactose digestion
Dairy products vary in the amount of lactose they contain. A reduced level of lactose is found in yogurt containing the two active bacterial cultures L. delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus. These live bacteria produce lactase which breaks down some of the lactose in yogurt.
The bacteria survive their passage through the gut and the bacterial lactase helps further with digestion of lactose in the small intestine.
Unlike milk, yogurt’s semi-solid state benefits lactose digestion by slowing transit through the gut.
“In countries where lactose maldigestion is common, consuming yogurt as part of one’s normal diet can reduce the risk of suffering from it.” – Dr Widjaja Lukito
References:
- Rozenberg S, Body JJ, Bruyère O, et al. Effects of dairy products consumption on health: Benefits and beliefs – a commentary from the Belgian Bone Club and the European Society for Clinical and Economic Aspects of Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Diseases. Calcif Tissue Int 2016;98:1–17.
- Suchy FJ, Brannon PM, Carpenter TO, et al. NIH Consensus Development Conference Statement: lactose intolerance and health. NIH Consens State Sci Statements 2010;27:1–27.
- Muehlhoff E, Bennett A, McMahon D. Milk and dairy products in human nutrition. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. 2013.
- Savaiano DA. Lactose digestion from yogurt: mechanism and relevance. Am J Clin Nutr 2014;99(5 Suppl): 1251S–5S.
- Bailey RK, Fileti CP, Keith J, et al. Lactose intolerance and health disparities among African Americans and Hispanic Americans: an updated consensus statement. J Natl Med Assoc 2013;105:112–27.
