Here’s Why We Love Lactose-Free Milk

Singapore is a fertile ground for buzzy food trends, but lactose-free milk is no trendy or fashionable matter! One of the most common food intolerances for Asians is lactose intolerance and for the longest time, people who had lactose intolerance simply resorted to soy milk or skipping milk altogether.

With lactose-free milk now available, options are expanding for lactose-intolerant drinkers—and regular drinkers too. That’s right, lactose-free milk is delicious and safe for everybody to drink! Here, we list out the reasons of what’s to love about lactose-free milk.

Lactose-free milk is even easier to digest than regular milk.

Lactose intolerance is caused by the deficiency of lactase, an enzyme found in the small intestine. People who do not produce enough lactase are not able to digest lactose (milk sugar) properly, so when this undigested lactose moves to the colon, it interacts with normal intestinal bacteria. This is the cause of symptoms such as abdominal cramps, bloating, nausea, farting and diarrhea.

To make lactose-free milk, lactase enzymes are added into the milk in order to break down the lactose sugar, a complex sugar, into other simple sugars. Since lactose is usually the cause of uncomfortable stomach symptoms, going for this option can also help regular drinkers to alleviate indigestion and gassy feelings.

Lactose-free milk is naturally richer and sweeter, without any added sugar.

Breaking down the lactose into something that the body can digest means it changes into simple sugars such as glucose and galactose. Some people may be more perceptive to this slight difference, as simple sugars can taste sweeter on the tongue, compared to complex sugars. Drinkers who would like to taste an added dimension and extra oomph to regular milk without having to go for sweetened flavours will certainly enjoy this type of milk.

However, rest assured that this taste is not caused by any added sugar. In fact, lactose-free milk has an interchangeable mouthfeel and aroma profile to regular milk—thus giving it a richer taste compared to other lactose-free alternatives such as soy milk or almond milk.

Lactose-free milk can be enjoyed by everyone in the family.

It’s obvious that lactose-free milk is beneficial to those who are lactose intolerant, but it can also serve other members in your family. As babies, our bodies produce lactase so that we can digest the lactose in our mother’s milk. As we grow older into adulthood and old age, our bodies produce less lactase, which is one of the reasons why elderlies in your family may tend to avoid milk. With this lactose-free option now available, every generation in your family, from grandchild to grandparent, can all enjoy the same milk together. Say goodbye to having to shop for specific types of milk for each family member!

Lactose-free milk has the same key nutrients as regular milk.

You won’t be sacrificing any of the important nutrients with lactose-free milk. It is still a great source of Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2, calcium, phosphorus and protein. It’s crucial that the body receives its calcium intake of 1,000 mg every day in order to maintain strong bones and good health, so you can be sure to get all your nourishment with lactose-free milk too.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190218-when-did-humans-start-drinking-cows-milk