Lactose-free milk: benefits and harms, what does it mean

Products that do not contain milk sugar are quite useful and popular. The benefits and harms of lactose-free milk are important information that everyone should know, especially a diabetic or a person with lactase deficiency.

What is lactose-free milk

Any milk contains vitamins, minerals and nutrients. One of the main beneficial ingredients is milk sugar - lactose. But according to statistics, more and more people have recently been observed whose bodies are lactose intolerant. The reason for this is the absence of the lactase enzyme. The use of such products becomes completely banned, otherwise you can harm the body.

For people with lactase deficiency, conventional dairy products are not suitable. In this regard, for a long time they have been producing a lactose-free product that does not harm health, and even more benefits the body.

Lactose-free milk production technology

The product is manufactured today in many countries of the world. In order to obtain products that are as close as possible in composition and taste, but without milk sugar, you have to make a lot of efforts.

Technologies for obtaining lactose-free milk.

• Breaking down lactose into enzymes... To obtain lactose artificially, yeast or milk mushrooms... Ready-made lactose is added to milk. Thus, the milk fat index is reduced several times. Lactose contains 90-96%. According to its properties, such milk cannot be called completely lactose-free, therefore the label may appear on the package - "low lactose content".
• Fermentation method... In this way, lactose-free milk is obtained thanks to a ferment with a special composition.
• Membrane filtration... This method is one of the new, it was used only since 2000. The products are obtained through membrane ultrafiltration, as a result of which the lactose index is reduced to 0.01%. A significant part of lactose is destroyed by hydrolysis, and the remainder is neutralized by the lactase enzyme.

Composition and calorie content of lactose-free milk

Lactose-free milk has the same health benefits as regular milk sugar. Rich in vitamins and minerals.

100 g of the product contains:

• protein - 3.5 g;
• fat - 1.5 g;
• carbohydrates - 2.5 g.

Caloric content is only 40 kcal.

Nutrients and vitamins are the main components of lactose-free milk, namely:

• vitamin A - increases the performance of the body, improves vision, improves the condition of the skin;
• vitamins B2, B3 - accelerate metabolic processes in the body, establish a redox reaction;
• vitamin B12 - has a beneficial effect on the nervous system, improves blood circulation in the vessels;
• vitamin D - helps in the absorption of calcium.

In addition, lactose-free milk is rich in:

• potassium;
• phosphorus;
• calcium;
• protein.

Why is lactose-free milk useful?

The main advantage of using lactose-free or low-lactose milk is the ability to obtain the same benefits as from ordinary dairy products, while keeping the body condition stable in case of lactose intolerance.

Lactose-free products have a milder taste and do not cause allergies. Fully assimilable by the body ensures safe use. The product does not bring harm, if you do not abuse it.

Is it possible to drink lactose-free milk for allergies

In the manufacture of dairy products, milk is subject to many processing processes - cow protein breaks down into lactic acid, peptides, which are quite well absorbed by a person prone to allergic reactions. Drinking such milk is much healthier.

Low-lactose dairy and fermented milk products contain a low lactose index, which is quite acceptable for use by people with lactase deficiency, but subject to a small amount.

Lactose-free milk for breastfeeding

If the infant is lactase deficient, lactose-free dairy products will be beneficial to the nursing mother. But in this case, it is necessary to drink lactose-free milk according to the testimony of a doctor. Often, many people confuse lactase deficiency with cow protein intolerance. In the second case, the use of any cow's dairy products is strictly prohibited, since it is harmful to the health of the child.

Lactose-free formula for children

Recently, many children have been born whose bodies cannot digest milk sugar. Often this phenomenon is short-term, but for this period it is important to provide the baby with the correct and most useful nutrition. That is why lactose-free milk has been developed for such children, which is not harmful, but, on the contrary, is very useful for consumption. On its basis, baby food is made, which has fully or partially split lactose.

Many mothers prefer this particular diet due to the absence of fermentation processes in the intestine after consumption. And this relieves the baby from abdominal discomfort, makes him feel good.

List of mixtures, manufacturers of which produce a line of special lactose-free food:

• "Nutrilon";
• Bellakt;
• "Pepti";
• "Grandmother's basket";
• "Nan".

Also with a low percentage of lactose, you can buy:

• "Nutrilak";
• "Humana".

It is worth noting that eating foods without milk sugar does not harm the child and adult body. Rather, on the contrary, it is very useful, since it allows you to keep the body in good shape.

Is lactose-free milk good for your diet?

For those who are struggling with excess weight, according to nutritionists, the use of lactose-free milk will be especially beneficial. It is lower in calories than foods containing milk sugar. No more than 30% carbohydrates, only 15 calories per 100 g. Sitting on a lactose-free diet can significantly reduce weight without harm to the body.

Following a lactose-free diet in 7-10 days, you can lose more than 5 kg. It should be noted that fermented milk products without milk sugar are better absorbed by the body. Often, bodybuilders and bodybuilders are on such diets.

Lactose-free milk will be an excellent replacement for regular cow milk for gastritis. Due to its special properties, it gently and gently affects the digestive system.

Lactose-free milk for diabetes

Cow's milk contains enough sugar in its composition, so it is harmful to use for people with diabetes. Experts recommend using lactose-free milk and fermented milk products for diabetes. Thus, the body receives a sufficient amount of useful vitamins and minerals without harm to health.

Potential Harm of Lactose-Free Milk

Lactose-free milk is practically harmless. The only point: if a person is lactose intolerant, and he consumes milk with a low content of it, you may feel unwell. Indeed, in this case, dairy products must be completely lactose-free.

Lactose-free milk producers

There are many healthy lactose-free products on the market today. However, until recently, Valio was the only supplier of such products. The Finnish manufacturer launched this line because the majority of the population is suffering from hypolactasia. In Russia, this manufacturer has become quite popular and was recognized as the best in the production of lactose-free dairy food.

Over time, a study was carried out, which confirmed the quality and benefits of Valio products. In the composition, the lactose content was less than 0.01%. Other brands had a much higher indicator - 4.8%.

However, due to the sanctions, this brand was not imported into the territory of Russia for a long time, but later in the country its own production of lactose-free goods appeared. Already today, many brands can be found on store shelves that produce milk with similar properties. Based on consumer reviews, it can be noted that such products are of quite good quality.

Manufacturers of lactose-free products in Russia:

• the “Clever” trade mark in Ivanovo produces hydrolyzed formula for children;
• the Laktovit brand produces milk with a low lactose content;
• the company from Voronezh "Arla Natura" produces lactose-free cheeses;
• The Stavropol Dairy Plant produces milk with a low lactose content of 0.5 to 3.5%.

However, besides this, there are other useful substitutes for cow's milk - soy and almond. They are a good substitute as they do not contain milk sugar.

Conclusion

The benefits and harms of lactose-free milk are information that a person with diabetes or lactase deficiency should have. Thanks to modern technologies, there is no need to give up dairy products, having a disease that makes their use prohibited. Experts recommend replacing cow's milk with lactose-free milk. Similar properties of this product are able to fully compensate for the lack of vitamins and microelements necessary for the body.