Most of the sugar in milk is lactose. However, because some adults lack the enzyme lactase in their digestive fluids, the digestion, absorption, and utilization of lactose are affected, causing these people to experience stomach discomfort or even diarrhea after drinking milk, a condition known as "lactose intolerance". This is also a reason why many people do not drink milk. In this case, yogurt can be chosen as a substitute for milk without worrying about lactose.
Because yogurt contains lactic acid bacteria, the lactose in milk can be fermented by Lactobacillus into lactic acid. Lactose-intolerant individuals will not experience diarrhea symptoms when drinking yogurt, which perfectly solves the problem that some people may have when drinking milk. Special reminder:
However, it is worth noting that many yogurt drinks (not yogurt) are prepared from milk, water, and flavoring agents. Such products also contain lactic acid and can cause "lactose intolerance" symptoms. Which groups of people should drink more yogurt?
1. Those taking antibiotics
While antibiotics control pathogenic bacteria, they also suppress non-pathogenic bacteria. This can lead to loss of appetite, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and in severe cases, another infectious disease. Yogurt contains active Lactobacillus longum, which can help restore the balance of the gastrointestinal flora.
2. Patients with arteriosclerosis and hypertension
Some nutrition experts have found that yogurt contains a "milk factor" that can lower serum cholesterol in the human body. The lactic acid calcium in yogurt is easily absorbed by the human body. An experiment has been conducted where drinking 720 grams of yogurt daily for a week can significantly lower serum cholesterol. [Food Blog]
3. Cancer patients
During the fermentation process, the Bifidobacterium in yogurt produces acetic acid, lactic acid, and formic acid, which can inhibit nitrate-reducing bacteria and block the formation of carcinogenic nitrosamines, playing a role in cancer prevention. In some European countries with developed dairy industries, it is believed that "a cup of yogurt a day keeps breast cancer away" for women.
4. The elderly and the weak
The lactic acid bacteria in yogurt can break down the lactose in milk into lactic acid, making the intestinal environment acidic and inhibiting the growth of spoilage bacteria that thrive in neutral or alkaline environments. It also synthesizes essential nutrients for the human body such as vitamins B, folic acid, and vitamin E. Furthermore, it is rich in protein and vitamin A, which is very beneficial for the elderly and the weak.
5. Patients with osteoporosis
Yogurt contains lactic acid calcium, which is easily absorbed by the human body. This increases the patient's calcium intake and is beneficial for preventing and treating osteoporosis.