Kefir may promote lactose tolerance in intolerant people
For lactose-intolerant adults, drinking fermented milk either eliminated or drastically reduced symptoms related to lactose intolerance. Researchers think that microbes in this fermented milk - called kefir - possess the enzyme that is necessary to digest lactose.
Kefir is a little known, and slightly more expensive, alternative to milk. It contains a multitude of bacteria that may help break down lactose in the digestive tract.
Kefir tastes slightly tart and has the consistency of liquid yogurt. To manufacture kefir, producers add clusters of starchy carbohydrate - kefir grains - that contain healthy bacteria. These carbohydrate grains are left to ferment in milk. The grains are filtered out while the live cultures remain.
Past studies have shown that fermented dairy products such as yogurt improve lactose digestion. Participants in the current study reportedly had little or no symptoms associated with lactose intolerance after eating yogurt and kefir. Flatulence was the most frequently reported symptom. Kefir reduced flatulence frequency by more than half, compared with milk.
Breath hydrogen levels were also significantly lower after consuming kefir than after drinking milk. Flatulence is the biggest complaint among lactose-intolerant people and breath hydrogen is indicative of excessive gas in the digestive tract.
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