Veganism (or vegetarianism) and lactose intolerance

The vegan and the vegetarian represent two categories of individuals, united by the attention they show within their diet, towards foods of plant origin .

The number of vegan consumers has significantly increased in many industrialized countries, and their influence on the food sector is likely to continue to grow.

Why do we become part of this vegan universe?

The choice includes several reasons, those who do it for ethics and others for a health issue .

The substantial difference between the two types of diet is simply that those who follow a vegan diet only consume foods of plant origin, while those who adopt a vegetarian style sporadically introduce some foods of animal origin, such as milk and eggs.

There is now a boom in vegan food on a commercial level and it is a real trend. There are numerous signs of vegan or local restaurants that simply offer a vegan menu.

No less common in supermarkets are dedicated food products, such as burgers, vegan salami and even vegan mayonnaise.

But why is this diet associated with lactose intolerance?

We have already discussed extensively about lactose intolerance. As we all know, lactose is the sugar present in milk, so consequently, a diet that excludes foods of animal origin (including milk and derivatives such as butter, but also pastry products, crepes, cheesecake or a simple croissant), surely will not include the presence of such sugar so detested by intolerants.

Here is how all those products that boast the veg brand , such as vegan biscuits, vegan cream and numerous fast vegan seconds, can ensure a guarantee for the lacto-intolerant .

Among other things, for those with a sweet tooth, today it is possible to find as a dessert, outside the home, a nice piece of vegan tart, a tasty vegan croissant or even vegan sweets without sugar. But be careful not to overdo it!

The so-called veganism, therefore, is also suitable for those who are lactose intolerant .

And for those who can't give up milk?

Can the vegan diet help the intestines of lactose intolerant people?

Since lactase , an enzyme present in the intestine, a secondary deficiency (we discussed it in this article ), can be restored after a period in which a diet such as vegan is followed , which helps in the reconstitution of the intestinal mucosa and of its microbiota (i.e. the commonly known intestinal microflora, represented by the set of beneficial microorganisms).

Numerous studies, in fact, indicate that the intestinal microbiota plays an important role in human health. Among other things, diet is a factor strongly linked to the microbiota.

According to recent scientific studies, there is evidence to support the clinical relevance of the action of the vegan diet on the gut microbiota, but further investigations will be needed.

Do you think you are lactose intolerant? Find out the most common symptoms in this article and the exam methods to find out with the breath test in this article and with the genetic test in this article .

Bibliography

• Ming-Wun Wong et al. (2018). "Impact of vegan diets on gut microbiota: An update on the clinical implications "
• Meike Janssen et al. (2016). "Motives of consumers following a vegan diet and their attitudes towards animal agriculture".