Vegans and vegetarians represent two categories of individuals, united by the attention they pay in their diet to plant-based foods.
The number of consumers following a vegan diet has increased significantly in many industrialized countries, and it is likely that their influence on the food industry will continue to grow.
Why do people enter this vegan universe?
The choice encompasses various motivations, some do it for ethics, others for health reasons.
The substantial difference between the two types of diet is simply that those who follow a vegan diet consume only plant-based foods, while those who adopt a vegetarian lifestyle sporadically include some animal-derived foods, such as milk and eggs.
By now, even commercially, there is a boom in vegan food and it is a real trend. There are numerous vegan restaurant signs or venues that simply offer a vegan menu.
No less widespread 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 lactose intolerance extensively. As we well know, lactose is the sugar present in milk, so consequently, a diet that excludes foods of animal origin (including, precisely, milk and derivatives such as butter, but also bakery products, crepes, cheesecakes, or a simple croissant) will certainly not include the presence of this sugar, which is so much detested by those who are intolerant.
This is how all those products that boast the veg label, such as vegan cookies, vegan cream, and numerous quick vegan main courses, can provide a guarantee for the lactose-intolerant.
Moreover, for those with a sweet tooth, it is now possible to find as a dessert, when eating out, a nice slice of vegan tart, a tasty vegan croissant, or even sugar-free vegan sweets. But be careful not to overdo it!
So-called veganism, therefore, is also suitable for those who are lactose intolerant.
And for those who cannot give up milk?
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In addition to the well-known “lactose-free milk,” a good and tasty possibility is represented by the plant-based alternative: soy, almond, hazelnut-based drinks... they are tasty and healthy! And let us not forget that, especially from soy milk, you can also obtain ice creams, creams, and yogurt. |
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Can a vegan diet help the intestines of lactose-intolerant people?
Since lactase, an enzyme present in the intestine, can have a secondary deficiency (we discussed this in this article), it can be restored after a period of following a diet like the vegan one, which helps in the reconstitution of the intestinal mucosa and its microbiota (or what is commonly known as intestinal microflora, represented by the set of beneficial microorganisms).
Numerous studies, in fact, indicate that the gut microbiota plays an important role in human health. The diet, among other things, is a factor strongly linked to the microbiota.
According to recent scientific studies, there is evidence supporting the clinical relevance of the effect of the vegan diet on the gut microbiota, but further investigations will be needed.
Do you think you are lactose intolerant? Discover the most common symptoms in this article and the examination 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”.