Lactose-free cheese

What is lactose-free cheese?

Almost every type of milk contains milk sugar, also called lactose. Lactose is a carbohydrate and occurs not only in milk itself but also in all products made with milk. Normally, lactose is broken down by the body, but in people with lactose intolerance, this does not, or only partly, happen. In this group of people, the body naturally builds too little lactase, which means that the milk sugar is not processed and yeast enters the intestine. For these people, eating cheese or consuming other milk products can lead to annoying gastrointestinal or intestinal complaints. A lactose-free cheese contains no lactose, or only a minute amount, which means it will not cause these complaints.

Breakdown of lactose in mature cheese

Lactose intolerance is less common with a mature cheese than with young, mild or fresh cheeses. This has to do with the ripening (maturing) of the cheese; the older the block of cheese, the less lactose remains inside it. The milk sugar is in time completely broken down, which also allows people with lactose intolerance to enjoy it. Most hard cheeses, such as crumbly Gouda cheese or Old Amsterdam, are completely lactose-free. Also, in most of the extra-mature cheeses, little to no lactose is present. If you notice that you are suffering after eating mild cheese, fresh cheese or cream cheese, try out if a mature, hard cheese remedies the problem. If so, then you know that lactose-free cheese can be something to choose in future!