Over the Easter weekend we will consume tens of millions of Easter eggs. The chocolate egg has been associated with the holiday for more than one hundred years. While eating chocolate in moderation is fine for most people, there is a subsection of the population that could be putting their health at risk by indulging in the sweet treat.
A geneticist has warned that people with an “anti-chocolate” gene may experience uncomfortable symptoms this Easter – including diarrhoea, nausea and stomach bloating.
Dr Yiannis Mavrommatis, nutrigenetics expert at MyHealthChecked, revealed how the lactose intolerance gene, known as MCM6, can make people extremely unwell.
It is estimated that around seven million UK adults are currently living with an undiagnosed intolerance to lactose – a sugar found in dairy.
Dr Mavrommatis explained: “MCM6 – the lactase gene – often has a variation that affects the activity of lactase, which in turn affects the ability to break down lactose.
“Biologically, lactose intolerance is the norm: lactase activity is high during infancy when milk is the only source of nutrients but it drops progressively as we age.”
Symptoms
The symptoms of a lactose intolerance can be unpleasant and even painful.
“The main symptoms of lactose intolerance are diarrhoea, abdominal bloating and/or pain, nausea and vomiting, and flatulence, “ Dr Mavrommatis said.
According to the NHS it can also lead to longer lasting symptoms including a rash (eczema), headaches, joint pain, feeling tired, and finding it hard to concentrate.
Dr Mavrommatis added: “What may surprise people however, is the timing of the manifestation of such symptoms.
“Because activity of the enzyme lactase decreases during our lifetime, it is common to develop lactose intolerance later in life.”
Symptoms will worsen depending on how much lactose is consumed.
Dr Mavrommatis continued: “The severity of intolerance symptoms is usually proportional to the amount of dairy consumed.
“Some people who are lactose intolerant may be able to consume small amounts of dairy without any noticeable symptoms.”
If you are lactose intolerant, foods to avoid include:
- Milk
- Butter
- Cheese
- Cream
- Yoghurt
- Ice cream.
However, many processed foods also contain lactose such as cereals, bread, crackers, cakes, biscuits, and pastries, sauces and salad dressings, and diet and protein shakes.
Luckily, there is still a way to enjoy Easter eggs if you are lactose intolerant.
Isabela Ramos, nutritionist at MyHealthChecked, shared the types of chocolate that are safe to eat.
“Thankfully, there are types of chocolate which contain minimal lactose, particularly dark chocolate due to its higher cocoa content, so lactose intolerant individuals who aren’t sensitive to other chocolate components may enjoy it without adverse effects,” she said.
“For someone who is lactose intolerant, they can focus on lactose-free or low-lactose alternatives for traditional Easter foods.
“This includes dairy-free chocolate eggs, vegan truffles and sorbet or dairy-free ice cream.
“To mitigate the effects of lactose intolerance, individuals can also try lactase enzyme supplements before consuming lactose-containing foods.”
To further boost your gut health she advised eating variety of plants including avocado, broccoli, kale, lentils, leeks, cabbage, nuts fruits as blueberries, passion fruit and raspberries.
