If you have lactose intolerance, the milk sugar, lactose, can cause digestive distress. Lactose-free milk contains the enzyme lactase, which breaks down lactose. The lactase in lactose-free milk removes between 70 to 100% of the lactose, breaking it down into the simpler sugars galactose and glucose. Except for the addition of lactase and the resultant decrease in lactose content, lactose-free milk is identical to regular milk.
Alternative
If you have lactose intolerance and cannot digest lactose, lactose-free milk gives you an alternative to forgoing milk entirely. Lactose intolerance occurs when your body gradually stops producing lactose as you age. Most people develop lactose intolerance between the ages of 2- and 5-years-old. According to Dr. Alan Greene, about 80 percent of people over the age of 3 develop lactose intolerance worldwide, although only about 15 percent of Caucasians develop the disorder. Babies do not typically develop lactose intolerance, as their bodies need to be able to digest the lactose in breast milk.
Variety of Options
Lactose-free milk comes in a variety of options, so you aren't stuck with only one type of milk if you cannot tolerate lactose. Lactose-free versions of fat-free, 1%, 2% percent and whole milk are all available. You can also choose organic lactose-free milk, which is produced from cows that did not receive any antibiotics or synthetic hormones. Other lactose-free dairy products made using lactose-free milk, are also available for lactose-intolerant individuals. These can include lactose-free cheese, yogurt and ice cream.
Home Use
Lactose-free milk can be used for any purpose that regular milk is used for, including as an ingredient in recipes, such as salad dressings, sauces and desserts. Lactose-free milk is sometimes described as sweeter than regular milk because the simple sugars glucose and galactose stimulate the taste buds that detect sweetness more than lactose does. Some brands of lactose-free milk have a longer shelf life than regular milk, so you can store them for longer periods of time.
Considerations
Despite the benefits of lactose-free milk for people with lactose intolerance, individuals without this disorder may want to include at least some regular milk in their diet. The body may stop producing lactase if you stop consuming products with lactose, so you may lose your ability to drink regular milk or eat dairy products containing lactose if you switch entirely to drinking lactose-free milk.
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