Many people today suffer from lactose intolerance. In fact, according to Boston Children’s Hospital, between 30 million and 50 million Americans are considered lactose intolerant.
This condition is present when the body can’t properly digest lactose, which is the type of sugar that’s found in milk. It happens when the body lacks the lactase enzyme, which is responsible for breaking down lactose into simpler sugars.
People who are lactose intolerant frequently experience abdominal cramping and bloating when they consume milk or dairy products, and may also experience loose stools.
The condition can develop later in life, or it can be congenital, and it affects people of all different ethnicities, including both South and North Indians. People who experience symptoms when they consume dairy products can take a lactose tolerance test, which is a common diagnostic tool that measures your body’s ability to digest lactose.
Below, we’ll discuss lactose intolerance in more depth, as well as the important role that dahi can play in solving it.
Lactose Intolerance in Different Populations
While lactose intolerance is a condition that affects people from all over the world, it is more common in some parts of the globe and among some populations. For instance, it’s more common among South Indians, with a higher prevalence in Pondicherry and Trivandrum.
In North India, there is a lower incidence of lactose intolerance. This is possibly because their descendants were dairy farmers and, as a result, were more used to consuming dairy products. This, in turn, could have made them more lactose tolerant.
The prevalence of lactose intolerance can vary greatly among different populations, including the East Indians of Trinidad and South American Indians. It’s less common in Mexico, with an estimated prevalence between 70% and 80%.
Boston Children’s Hospital says that more than 90% of Asian-Americans suffer from lactose intolerance, with 80% of Native Americans and African-Americans also suffering from it.
In the U.S., lactose intolerance is least prevalent among people whose heritage is from Northern Europe.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Lactose intolerance can cause a lot of discomfort and even pain in extreme cases. Some of the common symptoms include bloating, diarrhea and flatulence when consuming dairy products.
How severe the symptoms are depends a lot on each individual’s tolerance as well as the amount of lactose that they consume. People who also have irritable bowel syndrome, for instance, tend to have more severe symptoms when they consume dairy products.
People who believe they might be lactose intolerant can be officially diagnosed. This is often done by going through a trial period of not consuming any lactose in their diet — or significantly reducing their dairy consumption. There are also lactose tolerance tests available that can shed more light on whether you are affected by the condition.
Managing Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is something that can definitely be managed, though it does take some vigilance.
The most straightforward way of managing lactose intolerance is to avoid consuming foods that contain lactose, or at least limiting your consumption as much as possible. To do this, you must read all food labels clearly and monitor your symptoms after you consume different foods.
Luckily, there are many dairy alternatives available on the market today. Milk, yogurt and other products that are traditionally made with dairy are available in different varieties that use almond milk, coconut milk and even soy milk as the base.
There are even lactose-free dairy products available, such as milk, yogurt and even ice cream.
Individuals who are lactose intolerant might be able to consume dairy products if they take lactase enzyme supplements, though these might not work for everyone. Some individuals may also benefit by gradually increasing their lactose intake over time, as long as they are under proper medical supervision.
It’s always important to talk with your doctor about what the best options for you might be, and to monitor the signs and symptoms you experience after consuming different products.
The Problem of Undigested Lactose
When the body is unable to properly digest lactose, it can cause many uncomfortable symptoms, including diarrhea, gas and bloating. If you are deficient in the lactase enzyme, you unfortunately may not be able to digest lactose properly, which can lead to these symptoms and more.
It’s not just a comfortability problem, though. Lactose intolerance can also result in your body not properly absorbing certain nutrients such as vitamin D and calcium.
This is why it’s so important to first identify whether you are lactose intolerant, and then manage it properly if you indeed are affected by the condition.
Dahi: A Natural Solution
If you’re in search of a natural alternative for managing your lactose intolerance, then look no further than dahi.
Also known as curd or Indian yogurt, dahi is a fermented dairy product that contains live cultures. These beneficial bacterias help your body to naturally digest lactose.
Over many years, it’s been proven that dahi can help improve the body’s ability to properly process lactose in individuals who are considered lactose intolerant. So, not only will the product provide you with a tasty way to consume dairy, it will also actively work to improve the functioning of your body’s natural processes.
How Dahi Works
The reason why dahi works in this way is that the live bacterial cultures that it includes actually produce lactase, which is the enzyme that breaks down lactose and which lactose intolerant individuals lack.
What this means is that the lactase that dahi includes helps your body digest lactose, which in turn reduces the symptoms of your lactose intolerance. This is why dahi is considered a natural alternative to taking lactase enzyme supplements.
People who don’t like to take pills, or generally just want a more natural alternative to their lactose intolerance, should definitely consider incorporating dahi into their diet.
Benefits of Dahi
Those who are looking for both a natural and cost-effective solution for managing their lactose intolerance should consider starting to consume dahi. The fermented dairy product can help to improve lactose intolerance and reduce the uncomfortable symptoms of it.
In doing so, dahi can help your body properly absorb the nutrients it needs. Not only that, but it’s a rich source of calcium, protein and many other essential nutrients.
Consume Dahi to Help Improve Lactose Intolerance
People of many different ethnicities and from many parts of the world are affected by lactose intolerance. Those who have it often experience many uncomfortable symptoms when they consume dairy products.
If you’re lactose intolerant, you can take lactase enzyme supplements to help reduce the symptoms or avoid consuming dairy products altogether.
A more natural solution is consuming dahi, a fermented dairy product common in India that helps to manage lactose intolerance. By incorporating dahi into your diet, you can improve your lactose intolerance, reduce the associated uncomfortable symptoms and improve your overall digestive health.
