Lactose

Technical Name : β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-glucose

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

Lactose has a subtly sweet taste

Usage Tips

  1. Lactose can be applied in diverse food products including bakery goods, confections, dry mixes, dairy foods, dried vegetables, snacks, and infant formula.
  2. It can also be used in bakery goods for enhancing browning and reducing sweetness.

Description

Lactose is the sugar found in milk. It is a disaccharide, meaning it is made up of two sugar molecules namely glucose and galactose. The name comes from (lac) which is a Latin word for milk and the suffix (ose) means sugar. In the intestine, lactose is transformed by lactase, an enzyme, into glucose and galactose, both simpler sugars, which are used by our body for energy and various functions. Some of the high-lactose foods include ice cream, soft-serve frozen yogurt, ricotta cheese, protein powders, energy bars, puddings/custards. Although a natural sugar, many people have difficulty in absorbing lactose in the body and become intolerant to it. As a result, they have diarrhea, gas and bloating after eating or drinking dairy products. This is known as lactose intolerance.

Health benefits

 

  • Lactose supports the growth of friendly bacteria needed to fight undesirable organisms and promote health in the human intestine. (1)
  • It aids the absorption of calcium and phosphorus in the body.(1)

Selection Guide

While buying lactose tablets/ sachets make sure to check the "use by" date.

Note

People who are lactose intolerant may experience gas, bloating and diarrhea on lactose consumption.(2)

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