Yogurt and Lactose Intolerance

by Sam Malone

Lactose intolerance does only mean having the unfavorable and discomforting symptoms that it brings along with it but also missing out on some of your favorite foods like ice cream and other milk products. There are some milk products that can be had by people with lactose intolerance. Yoghurt is one such product that is the exception. So the question really is can lactose intolerant people eat yoghurt? The answer is yes. Yoghurt does contain lactose but it also contains bacterial cultures that create the enzyme lactase needed to break lactose into simple sugars that make it easy to digest and be absorbed in the blood stream.

Some bacterial species can actually be good for you like, probiotics. These bacteria provide benefits to the digestive tract as well as other organs and they don’t cause any infections. Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most familiar forms of the probiotic species which works on improving the digestive system and is also responsible for converting milk into yoghurt. Although some studies show that yoghurt with probiotics for lactose intolerance works well for digestion, there is another review article published by ‘The Journal of Family Practice’ which states that most research done on lactose intolerance and probiotics show no correlation between symptomatic relief with the use of probiotics.

Yogurt has many varieties to it like flavored yogurt, plain yogurt, low fat yoghurt and Greek yoghurt.  Although plain yogurt and Greek yogurt are both made with the probiotic lactobacillus acidophilus, the latter is making waves in the yogurt world. The benefits of Greek yogurt are multifold. It contains twice as much protein as compared to normal yogurt, this makes you feel full and satisfied. Greek yogurt has also low sodium levels as compared to plain yogurt, more and more yogurt companies are looking for ways to lower the sodium levels to make it healthier. Apart from these benefits, it is low in carbohydrates as well with only 9 grams of carbs, plain yogurt on the other hand has 15 to 17 grams per cup. Greek yogurt is also low in lactose levels and because it contains lesser carbohydrates, it is much easier on the stomach making it apt for lactose intolerance. Creamily rich in texture, Greek yoghurt is made a bit differently from plain yogurt. The whey is removed here and with it goes the water, leaving only the thick creamy bit behind. Greek yogurt is getting more and more popular not only because of its low lactose levels but also because of its smooth and rich taste.

Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.


Warning: The reader of this article should exercise all precautionary measures while following instructions on the home remedies from this article. Avoid using any of these products if you are allergic to it. The responsibility lies with the reader and not with the site or the writer.
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