Lactose is a major solid component of human milk and an important source of energy for the infant
Holsinger, V. H. (1996). Handbook of Milk Composition,edited by Robert G. Jensen. Academic Press, San Diego, 1995, 919 pp., $89.95. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1006/jfca.1996.0035
. It has a low sweetness level and a lower risk of causing dental caries
Moynihan, P. J. (2002). Dietary advice in dental practice. British Dental Journal. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4801628
compared to other carbohydrate sources, an interesting feature for young child formulas. Lactose-containing infant formula has demonstrated significantly higher calcium absorption in infants, compared with lactose-free formula
Abrams, S. A., Griffin, I. J., & Davila, P. M. (2002). Calcium and zinc absorption from lactose containing and lactose-free infant formulas. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/76.2.442
. When lactose is not fully digested, it reaches the ileum, where it also supports the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut, as has been shown in a clinical trial where the addition of lactose to infant formula significantly increased the growth of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli compared to lactose-free formula
Francavilla, R., Calasso, M., Calace, L., Siragusa, S., Ndagijimana, M., Vernocchi, P., Brunetti, L., Mancino, G., Tedeschi, G., Guerzoni, E., Indrio, F., Laghi, L., Miniello, V. L., Gobbetti, M., & De Angelis, M. (2012). Effect of lactose on gut microbiota and metabolome of infants with cow’s milk allergy. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1399-3038.2012.01286.x
. Furthermore, lactose contains specific β-1,4-glycosidic linkages, similar to cellulose and chitin
Navarro, D. M. D. L., Abelilla, J. J., & Stein, H. H. (2019). Structures and characteristics of carbohydrates in diets fed to pigs: A review. In Journal of Animal Science and Biotechnology. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40104-019-0345-6
, which may support the reduction of the risk of pathogenic infection by support of the growth of lactose-utilizing bacteria, i.e. via selective pressure
Holsinger, V. H. (1996). Handbook of Milk Composition,edited by Robert G. Jensen. Academic Press, San Diego, 1995, 919 pp., $89.95. Journal of Food Composition and Analysis. https://doi.org/10.1006/jfca.1996.0035
.