Lactose-free and Dairy-free might sound similar, but they are different from each other. Some people refer this both things as the same, but they are not the same.
Key Takeaways
- Lactose-free means the product has no lactose, while dairy-free means the product has no dairy.
- Lactose-free products are made by removing lactose from dairy products, while dairy-free products are made without dairy ingredients.
- Lactose-free products are suitable for people who are lactose intolerant, while dairy-free products are suitable for people who are lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy.
Lactose-Free vs Dairy-Free
Lactose is a type of sugar that is found in milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body is unable to digest lactose properly, leading to symptoms such as bloating, gas, and diarrhoea. Dairy-free products are made without any dairy ingredients at all. This includes products such as milk, cheese, yoghurt, and ice cream, as well as other products that may contain dairy ingredients.
Lactose-Free is those products from which the lactose has been removed. Lactose is the milk sugar in the product. Lactose makes the product sweeter.
Dairy-Free products are made from plants or nuts. It is not made by any kind of milk product. These products are the best alternative for those who are allergic to dairy products.
Comparison Table
| Parameters of Comparison | Lactose-Free | Dairy-Free |
|---|---|---|
| Presence of lactase | No | Yes |
| Sweetness | More | Natural sweetness |
| Casein and whey | Yes | No |
| Milk product | Yes | No |
| Appropriate for milk allergic | No | Yes |
| Vegan | No | Yes |
What is Lactose-Free?
Lactose-Free is the most suitable alternative for those who cannot consume lactose. These people are often known as Lactose intolerant. These products are made from pure dairy products.
People with milk allergies cannot consume Lactose-free as it still carries milk products. Milk-allergic people should never consume these Lactose-free products as it can make them bloated.
Lactose intolerant people should consume lactose-free products, and they do not have to switch to dairy-free products as they can digest milk products.
A person who is lactose intolerant does not contain the enzyme which is needed to digest the lactose. The lactase gets into the colon area, and the lactose is broken down by bacteria.
What is Dairy-Free?
Dairy-Free are those products that do not contain any kind of milk product. It is only made from vegan products and nuts. These products do not contain casein or whey.
If milk allergies consume any kind of milk product, then the person might feel bloated. In severe cases, the person might get rashes, and some can have trouble breathing.
Dairy-free does not involve any cheese, butter, or cream. It is made from all other vegan products and does not has any milk from any animal.
These products are best suitable for milk-allergic people. These dairy-free products are vegan. There is no milk added to these products.
Main Differences Between Lactose-Free and Dairy-Free
- Lactose-free is not good for milk allergies, but Dairy-free is good for milk allergies.
- Lactose-free is not vegan, but Dairy-free is vegan.
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352385918300069
- https://www.nature.com/articles/pr2014159
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Sandeep Bhandari holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Computers from Thapar University (2006). He has 20 years of experience in the technology field. He has a keen interest in various technical fields, including database systems, computer networks, and programming. You can read more about him on his bio page.
