Sweet acidophilus milk typically is well-tolerated by people who are lactose intolerant, but you should talk with your doctor before consuming the beverage. Sweet acidophilus milk is milk that has had the bacteria acidophilus added to it. Sweet acidophilus milk is similar to yogurt but not as thick, making it easy to drink. Most of the lactose in the milk is converted into lactic acid and is tolerated by most people who are lactose intolerant.
Lactose Intolerance
Everyone is intolerant to lactose to some degree, but only people who develop symptoms are clinically diagnosed as intolerant, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. Lactose is a sugar found in dairy products that requires lactose, a digestive enzyme, to break it down into more simple sugars so the body can absorb it. If your body doesn’t create enough lactase, you will not be able to digest the lactose, causing the undigested sugar to enter the colon. In the colon, harmless bacteria interact with the lactose, causing increased gas, bloating and diarrhea. While symptoms don’t’ cause harm to the digestive system, they can be embarrassing.
Sweet Acidophilus Milk
Acidophilus is a common probiotic used to prevent and treat digestive symptoms and conditions. Probiotics are helpful bacteria that might help prevent yeast infections, prevent eczema in children, alleviate diarrhea while taking antibiotics, treat irritable bowel syndrome and kill off harmful bacteria in the intestines, according to MayoClinic.com. Sweet acidophilus milk is very low in lactose because the acidophilus converts the sugar in lactic acid, giving the milk a slightly tart taste, according to the University of Nebraska. Some brands add sugar to the product to restore sweetness.
Tolerance
Not everyone can tolerate the same amount of lactose. Even though sweet acidophilus milk contains less lactose than most other diary products, if you’re severely intolerant to lactose you might still develop symptoms. Symptoms can being within 30 minutes of ingesting the milk or can take up to two hours. If you’re unsure how your digestive will tolerate sweet acidophilus milk, take a lactase supplement to prevent symptoms. Discuss the use of lactase supplements with your doctor before using them.
Precautions
If you’re allergic to milk or have artificial heart valves, you should not consume acidophilus milk. A milk allergy can trigger systematic symptoms affecting most parts of your body that might lead to anaphylactic shock. Acidophilus might cause an infection in people with artificial heart valves, according to MayoClinic.com.
