[사진 출처 = 픽사베이]
A study found that adults with lactose intolerance (the inability to digest lactose) drink milk to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which milk cannot be digested due to a lack of lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose.
On the 23rd, in the scientific journal Nature Metabolism, Dr. Chi Chi-bin’s team at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in the U.S. discovered this relationship by tracking the genotype, milk intake, intestinal microorganisms, and blood metabolites of about 12,000 South American residents. revealed.
The research team explained the background of the study, saying, “Although milk is frequently included in people’s diets, the relationship between type 2 diabetes and milk consumption is controversial and varies depending on the population group.”
The research team analyzed the lactase genotype of 12,653 participants in the Hispanic Community Health Study and Latino Study, surveyed the food and drinks consumed per day twice, and followed them for the development of type 2 diabetes for an average of 6 years. did.
Lactase is usually secreted in large quantities in newborns, but decreases as the baby grows. It is presumed that mammals developed this lactase secretion mechanism in relation to the weaning period.
Some adults have the lactase persistent genotype (AA/AG), which means they continue to secrete lactase, allowing them to easily digest dairy products such as milk even as adults.
On the other hand, most adults with the lactase non-persistent genotype (GG) show symptoms of lactose intolerance, in which they cannot properly break down and absorb lactose due to lactase deficiency. Typical symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and nausea.
According to the research team, people with lactase intolerance decreased their risk of type 2 diabetes by about 30% for each additional cup of milk consumed per day.
The risk of type 2 diabetes is reduced when adults with lactose intolerance consume milk.
However, in adults with the lactase persistent genotype, there was no significant association between milk intake and type 2 diabetes risk.
The research team believes that milk’s diabetes prevention effect is related to intestinal microorganisms.
When adults with insufficient lactase secretion increased their milk intake, the types and numbers of Bifidobacterium, a beneficial bacteria, increased in the intestinal microbial community. Accordingly, it has been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
The research team said, “These results suggest that milk consumption can affect the composition of people’s gut microbiota and blood metabolites depending on their lactase genotype, and may especially prevent type 2 diabetes in people with insufficient lactase secretion.” .
2024-01-23 12:12:55
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