2023-06-22 12:28:07
The business with lactose-free foods is booming. Many consumers expect health benefits from this – even without lactose intolerance. You are wrong regarding that.
people with lactose intolerance cannot tolerate milk sugar. However, this is hidden in many foods, so the food industry has long since reacted. Lactose-free products can be found in almost every supermarket and for many product categories. And these are always a bit more expensive than the conventionally manufactured counterparts. This suggests to some people that foods without lactose are healthier, which is why many consumers buy them even though they are not lactose intolerant.
Sweets without lactose in demand
For example, there is an increased demand for sweets that are free of lactose or Gluten are, says Bastian Fassin, member of the executive committee of the Federal Association of the German Confectionery Industry, according to a report by the “Kölnische Rundschau”. It is doubtful whether the demand actually only comes from those consumers who actually have a lactose intolerance.
At least that’s how a report from the patient magazine “Hausarzt” might be interpreted, which points out that foods that are free of lactose or gluten do not have any health benefits if there is no intolerance. The authors criticize that such foods give the impression that they Health and well-being might increase, which is definitely not the case.
Lactose intolerance as a business model?
They do not contain fewer calories, nor do they offer any other benefits. “Lactose or gluten are not harmful substances. Healthy people do not benefit from buying foods labeled as lactose-free or gluten-free. However, the household budget is unnecessarily burdened because these products are comparatively expensive,” the “Bild am Sonntag” quotes the head of the European Foundation for Allergy Research, Prof. Thorsten Zubier.
Over the last few years, the impression has arisen that more and more people are affected by lactose intolerance. However, there is no reliable evidence for the increase. Last but not least, the increasing number of products on supermarket shelves mentioned above may have contributed to this assumption. It is estimated that between 15 and 20 percent of the population cannot tolerate lactose.
1687491740
#Eating #lactosefree #lactose #intolerance #health #benefits
