Lactose: where it is contained, benefits and harms

Milk sugar, or lactose, is a natural food source. Its use begins from the first days after birth. Lactose is found in dairy products and is considered a popular carbohydrate. However, in the body of some people, the enzyme lactase, which promotes the breakdown and absorption of milk sugar, is absent. This leads to unpleasant manifestations. With the so-called lactase deficiency, indigestion is noted.

What is lactose in food

Carbohydrates are added in industrial food production:

  • of bread;
  • sauces;
  • sausages;
  • sweets;
  • margarine;
  • infant formula.
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Saccharide contains lactic acid products

It is known that matter gives energy. Other useful properties include:

  • participation in calcium metabolism;
  • improvement of nervous regulation;
  • beneficial effects on the heart and blood vessels;
  • creation of intestinal microflora;
  • protection of teeth from caries.
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With lactase deficiency, milk intolerance is observed. After its use, indigestion occurs.

Attention! The first signs of lactase deficiency occur with the introduction of complementary foods. In adults, the severity of the pathology is distinguished.

Carbohydrates are found naturally in dairy products. The hidden content of milk sugar is also called:

  • bakery products;
  • sausages;
  • jam (industrially manufactured);
  • sweets and desserts;
  • canned food;
  • fast food;
  • spices in powder form;
  • instant food;
  • yoghurts;
  • cocoa;
  • mashed potatoes;
  • milk chocolate;
  • ketchup;
  • mayonnaise;
  • cakes and pies;
  • sauces;
  • confectionery;
  • sweeteners;
  • flavor enhancers;
  • nutritional supplements;
  • puddings;
  • nut butter;
  • breadcrumbs;
  • margarine.
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Attention! Some food groups, such as fruits, do not contain lactose.

Is there lactose in fermented milk products?

Carbohydrates are good for your health. It is known that lactose is found in fermented milk products:

  • serum;
  • cottage cheese and sour cream;
  • cheese;
  • butter;
  • kefir;
  • condensed and goat milk;
  • cocktails and ice cream;
  • yogurt;
  • infant formula.

The lactose level in dairy products varies. For example, hard cheese, butter, low-fat cottage cheese do not contain significant amounts of carbohydrates.

The benefits of foods that contain lactose

Carbohydrate saccharide is an organic natural compound. All dairy products contain it. Lactose is not absorbed by the body, but is broken down into galactose and glucose. Due to its beneficial properties, carbohydrate is added to various food components.

Important! Some experts recommend replacing the substance with herbal counterparts, which is sometimes associated with the negative effects of milk sugar on the body.

The following carbohydrate benefits are known:

  • improvement of problem intestinal microflora;
  • positive effect on the nervous system;
  • prevention of vascular and heart pathologies;
  • increased immunity;
  • normalization of calcium metabolism;
  • participation in the assimilation of ascorbic acid and B vitamins.

Harm of lactose-containing foods

Carbohydrate can provoke the following effects when consumed in case of intolerance:

  • flatulence and diarrhea due to the accumulation of lactose in the intestine and fluid retention;
  • release of decay products due to rapid absorption by the intestines, which is manifested by the appearance of signs of allergy;
  • development of putrefactive processes due to the creation of an optimal environment for pathogenic organisms.
Attention! Lactase deficiency can be both congenital and acquired.

The analysis of characteristic symptoms allows one to suspect a pathology. Soon after consuming lactic acid products, flatulence occurs, and loose stools are noted. Clinically, carbohydrate intolerance can be detected using simple laboratory tests.

What foods are high in lactose

Lactic acid food is a natural source of the beneficial component. The substance contains:

  • milk;
  • kefir;
  • cheese;
  • cottage cheese;
  • condensed milk.
Important! A significant amount of lactose includes milk.

Contraindications to lactose

In some people, the enzyme lactase is not enough. Sometimes it turns out to be ineffective. Thus, the carbohydrate is not broken down into its constituents, which provokes the appearance of characteristic signs. In case of individual intolerance, the use of products containing the substance may be contraindicated.

Important! Pathology has several degrees of severity. Often, undesirable reactions occur only after consuming whole milk.

Table of lactose in dairy products

The list of foods with lactose includes different foods. The milk sugar content is shown in the table:

A significant carbohydrate content is observed in powdered milk.

Products containing milk sugar differ in different values ​​of the indicator. This should be taken into account in case of lactase deficiency.

Rules for the use of foods with lactose

Lactase intolerance occurs in every fourth person in Russia. It is noteworthy that in Asia the figure reaches 90%.

Insufficient breakdown of milk sugar has several options. In most cases, intolerance refers specifically to whole milk. This means that you can eat other foods that are natural or artificial sources of lactose.

Useful Tips

Natural yogurt helps to increase the enzymes that break down milk sugar. This allows you to minimize and smooth out the consequences of lactase deficiency. The medical solution to pathology consists in the use of special drugs.

Conclusion

Lactose is found in foods that are both natural and artificial sources of carbohydrate. Its industrial use is due to the beneficial properties of the substance.

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