Hot weather may prompt increased consumption of cold drinks and ice cream treats. However, sugary, milk-based drinks and treats can present a big problem for those with lactose intolerance. Between 30 and 50 million Americans have lactose intolerance, which can turn any hot weather treat made with milk into a painful stomachache. The resulting diarrhea may keep a person close to the bathroom and missing out on the hot weather fun.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactase is a type of sugar found in milk and milk products. Lactose is the enzyme that the body produces to digest lactase, breaking it down into energy that is used by the body. The lactase is not properly digested when there is not enough lactose in the body. Lactose intolerance symptoms include stomach cramps and bloating, gas, nausea and diarrhea that occur between 30 minutes to two hours after ingesting milk products.
Hot Weather Treats
Iced drinks consumed during hot weather often contain milk products and a large amount of sugar. High levels of sugar can cause dehydration, especially in hot weather. Diarrhea experienced by lactose intolerant sufferers can also increase dehydration, while the stomach cramps symptomatic of lactose intolerance can be worsened by the ice cold temperature of a hot weather drink. High-sugar frozen dairy treats may also produce the same results.
Post-Workout Milk
A 2007 study performed by S.M. Shirreffs, et al studied the effects of milk as a post-exercise rehydrating drink during warm weather. The study's authors found that subjects who drank milk after exercising in warm weather stayed rehydrated for an hour after consumption, as compared to their counterparts who drank water or a sports drink and whose rehydration status sank again after one hour. However, milk may not prove to be a warm weather rehydrating drink for those who are lactose intolerant because of the resulting diarrhea.
High-Lactose Foods
While dairy products are high in calcium that is needed for bone growth, most are also high in lactose. Some high-lactose foods include milk, ice cream, ice milk and sherbet, milkshakes, iced blended drinks, coffee creamer, yogurt, pudding and custards, butter, milk chocolate and lunch meats. Diets that limit or remove high-lactose foods should include calcium-rich foods such as almonds, tofu, sardines, shellfish, beans, dark green leafy vegetables and calcium-fortified drinks and foods. Iced treats can be made from fruit juices or soy, rice or almond milks.
