While fermented beverages are thought to be conducive to digestion and intestinal health, their purported health benefits could be overwhelmed by their excessively high sugar content, according to a study released by the John Tung Foundation yesterday.
The foundation tested 20 lactic acid beverages last month and this month that are frequently linked to promoting a healthy digestive system and smooth bowel movements, of which 16 were found to contain a higher sugar content than carbonated beverages, at an average of 12 grams per 100cc (g/100cc).
“Drinking a whole 471ml bottle of Bifido Yogurt Drink (比菲多活性乳酸菌發酵乳), which contains 12g of added sugar per 100cc, is equivalent to gobbling down 12.6 cubes of sugar,” foundation food and nutrition division director Sheu Hui-yu (許惠玉) told a news conference in Taipei.
Photo: Wu Liang-i, Taipei Times
Sheu said the sugar in a bottle of Yakult fermented milk equals about three sugar cubes.
However, the results reflected an improvement over a similar survey in 2006, which found the 16 fermented beverages had an average sugar content of about 13.5g/100cc, Sheu said.
“The recommended daily calorie and sugar intake for schoolchildren is 2,000 calories and 25g respectively, which can easily be exceeded by drinking two 100ml bottles of sweetened lactic acid beverages,” Sheu said.
Consumers who have turned to such beverages to help them lose weight or improve health might end up consuming far more sugar and calories than they realize, Sheu added.
Sheu advised people to opt for yogurts and fermented milk products, as they contain higher milk content and viable probiotic bacterial counts.
Makers of lactic acid beverages often add large amounts of sugar to cover the sour taste, nutritionist Cheng Han-yu (程涵宇) said.
“A healthier option to stimulate bowel movement would be sugar-free fermented milk, or fruits, such as pineapples and apples, drizzled with sugar-free yogurt,” Cheng said.
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