Effects of lactose-free and low-lactose dairy on symptoms of gastrointestinal health: A systematic review

Abstract

Lactose intolerance can be the result of, or aggravated by, deficiency of β-galactosidase in the gastrointestinal tract, and is characterised by, e.g., diarrhoea, abdominal pain, bloating, flatulence, and nausea. This review examines the response to lactose-free milk and dairy products and health-related outcomes and consolidates a total of 23 studies on ≥90% hydrolysed dairy products (n = 10), lactose-free dairy products and whole dairy products (n = 10), lactose hydrolysed, lactose-free and whole dairy products (n = 2), and mildly hydrolysed and lactose-free milk (n = 1). Fourteen reported consumption of low-lactose or lactose-free milk, and four reported fewer symptoms of gastrointestinal..