Yes. Yogurt is a type of predigested food that contains sugars, proteins and fats, broken into simple forms.
Lactose maldigesters and lactose intolerants can consume yogurt because the lactose in yogurt is digested more efficiently than any other dairy sources. Why? Yogurt is a form of fermented milk that contains live bacteria, Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus, at least 108 live microorganisms per gram of yogurt. These bacteria produce their own lactase, which breaks down some of the lactose contained in yogurt. Live cultures in yogurt improve digestion of lactose in yogurt in individuals with lactose maldigestion. This claim is, moreover, approved by the European Food Safety Authority. Therefore, for lactose maldigesters and intolerants, yogurt is an easy way to have dairy and digest lactose.
Sources:
- Commission CA. Codex standard for fermented milks. Food and Agriculture Organization United Nation Roma 2003:1-5.
- Efsa Panel on Dietetic Products N, Allergies. Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to live yoghurt cultures and improved lactose digestion (ID 1143, 2976) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. EFSA Journal 2010;8:n/a-n/a.
- Savaiano DA. Lactose digestion from yogurt: mechanism and relevance. Am J Clin Nutr 2014;99:1251S-5S.
