From a certain age, lactose only brings harm.
Adults should not overindulge in ice cream due to the age-related decrease in the production of the enzyme necessary for digesting milk sugar. This was stated by dietitian Anton Polyakov.
"In the overwhelming majority of cases, an adult does not have enough lactase enzyme to break down milk sugar – lactose. In principle, I would not recommend ice cream to adults as a food product, since it is not properly absorbed and causes irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to diarrhea syndrome and changes in stool quality. Since lactose is not broken down and absorbed by us, it begins to be processed by pathogenic microflora. Here, there is a possibility of growth of certain conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, which can again cause gastrointestinal symptoms," he explained.
The expert emphasized that it is especially dangerous to eat ice cream for those who have certain chronic diseases.
"People with carbohydrate metabolism disorders should naturally avoid ice cream. This applies to those with insulin resistance, type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Also, people with lactose intolerance, gastrointestinal diseases, and, of course, those with obesity do not need such products for obvious reasons," the doctor added.
Polyakov clarified that children produce lactase more actively. However, it is important to know the measure and consume this treat no more than once a week. Exceptions are made for those who have the aforementioned ailments.
Earlier, medical science candidate and dietitian Daria Rusakova stated that in the summer heat, to avoid overloading the body and maintain water-salt balance, the diet should consist of light products with high liquid content. Preference should be given to fresh vegetables and fruits, while heavy and salty foods should be avoided.
