Fermented milk

Related Terms

Actimel?, arerra (Ethiopia), augat (Ethiopia), ayib, ayran, bifidobacteria, bifidobacteria-fermented milk (BFM), Bifidobacterium, buttermilk, casein phosphopeptides, Causido?, cultured dairy foods, cultured dairy products, cultured milk products, dadhi, dahi (India), Enterococcus, ergo (Ethiopia), fermented dairy product, Gaio?, ititu (Ethiopia), kibe (Ethiopia), koumus, LactoT, Lactobacillus, Lactobacillusacidophilus, Lactobacillusbulgaricus, Lactobacilluscasei, Lactobacillushelveticus, Lactobacillusjohnsonii, Lactobacillusparacasei, Lactococcuslactis, Lactococcuslactiscremoris, Leuconostoc lactotripeptides, Leuconostocmesenteroidescremoris, matzoon, mazoni, probiotic, ropy milk, Streptococcusbulgaricus, traditional butter, traditional fermented curd, verum, yoghurt, yogurt.
Note: Kefir, a specific type of fermented milk, is not covered in this monograph. Yogurt is not covered in detail in this monograph.

Background

Fermented milk is made when bacteria change lactose (the sugar in milk) into lactic acid, which causes the tangy taste.
Fermented milk has calcium, protein, phosphorus, and riboflavin (or vitamin B2) and may improve nutritional status in children.
Bacteria present in fermented milk increase and balance the flora in the gut. These bacteria may decrease stomach problems, improve immunity, and shorten infections.
Fermented dairy foods have less lactose than milk and therefore are commonly used by lactose-intolerant people.
Fermented milk has been studied for allergies, diarrhea, infections in the gut, and improving immune function.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


According to limited research, drinking fermented milk may help with allergies. Further research is needed in this area.

 B


According to limited research, drinking fermented milk may help with allergies. Further research is needed in this area.

 B


Specific types of fermented milk have helped to prevent antibiotic-caused diarrhea. Fermented milk has been given to children recovering from acute diarrhea and to children that lacked proper nourishment and had diarrhea. Further studies are needed in this topic.

 B


Specific types of fermented milk have helped to prevent antibiotic-caused diarrhea. Fermented milk has been given to children recovering from acute diarrhea and to children that lacked proper nourishment and had diarrhea. Further studies are needed in this topic.

 B


Ferment milk may have activity against Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacterium that may cause stomach ulcers. Drinking fermented milk regularly may decrease inflammation in the stomach caused by Helicobacter pylori. Further research is necessary to determine a conclusion.

 B


Ferment milk may have activity against Helicobacter pylori, which is a bacterium that may cause stomach ulcers. Drinking fermented milk regularly may decrease inflammation in the stomach caused by Helicobacter pylori. Further research is necessary to determine a conclusion.

 B


Certain types of fermented milk may improve the immune system's ability to respond quickly. In poorly nourished people, the elderly, and children, fermented milk may help improve immune system function. Further research is needed in all age groups.

 B


Certain types of fermented milk may improve the immune system's ability to respond quickly. In poorly nourished people, the elderly, and children, fermented milk may help improve immune system function. Further research is needed in all age groups.

 B


Fermented dairy foods are commonly used by lactose-intolerant individuals. In fermented milk, lactose is broken down to glucose and galactose by bacteria. Further studies are needed to confirm this.

 B


Fermented dairy foods are commonly used by lactose-intolerant individuals. In fermented milk, lactose is broken down to glucose and galactose by bacteria. Further studies are needed to confirm this.

 B


Fermented milk may stop the growth of bacteria that causes stomach disease. Antibacterial effects of fermented milk become stronger when combined with gastric juice. Limited research has shown that regular use of fermented milk may decrease bacteria in the nose and throat but not in the genital area. Further research in this area is required.

 C


Fermented milk may stop the growth of bacteria that causes stomach disease. Antibacterial effects of fermented milk become stronger when combined with gastric juice. Limited research has shown that regular use of fermented milk may decrease bacteria in the nose and throat but not in the genital area. Further research in this area is required.

 C


Limited research has shown that women taking fermented milk have a reduced risk of breast cancer in women. Further research is needed to arrive at a conclusion.

 C


Limited research has shown that women taking fermented milk have a reduced risk of breast cancer in women. Further research is needed to arrive at a conclusion.

 C


Regular intake of a specific type of fermented milk may decrease the risk of heart disease. More evidence is needed to arrive at a firm conclusion.

 C


Regular intake of a specific type of fermented milk may decrease the risk of heart disease. More evidence is needed to arrive at a firm conclusion.

 C


Some research suggests that fermented milk may help alleviate long-term constipation. More studies are needed to determine whether fermented milk helps with constipation.

 C


Some research suggests that fermented milk may help alleviate long-term constipation. More studies are needed to determine whether fermented milk helps with constipation.

 C


There is conflicting evidence on whether fermented milk helps reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels. Higher-quality research is needed before any conclusion may be reached.

 C


There is conflicting evidence on whether fermented milk helps reduce total and LDL cholesterol levels. Higher-quality research is needed before any conclusion may be reached.

 C


Limited research has shown that fermented milk products may lower blood pressure, while other research had conflicting results. Further research is necessary for a conclusion to be reached.

 C


Limited research has shown that fermented milk products may lower blood pressure, while other research had conflicting results. Further research is necessary for a conclusion to be reached.

 C


Fermented milk may help alleviate certain symptoms of IBS (a disorder of the stomach). More research in this area is needed.

 C


Fermented milk may help alleviate certain symptoms of IBS (a disorder of the stomach). More research in this area is needed.

 C


Limited research showed that fermented milk was beneficial for human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which is a rare disease involving inflammation of nerves. Further research is required.

 C


Limited research showed that fermented milk was beneficial for human T cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) myelopathy/tropical spastic paraparesis (HAM/TSP), which is a rare disease involving inflammation of nerves. Further research is required.

 C


Limited research showed that children were better nourished after consuming fermented milk. Further research is needed.

 C


Limited research showed that children were better nourished after consuming fermented milk. Further research is needed.

 C


Limited research has shown that intake of large amounts of fermented milk decreased ulcer (stomach lining damage) risk, while intake of large amounts of regular milk increased this risk. Further studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Limited research has shown that intake of large amounts of fermented milk decreased ulcer (stomach lining damage) risk, while intake of large amounts of regular milk increased this risk. Further studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that fermented milk may reduce the risk of pouchitis. Pouchitis is an inflammation of the intestinal pouch made after colon removal in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Further research is necessary before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that fermented milk may reduce the risk of pouchitis. Pouchitis is an inflammation of the intestinal pouch made after colon removal in ulcerative colitis (UC) patients. Further research is necessary before conclusions can be made.

 C


Early research suggests that drinking fermented milk during pregnancy may prevent vaginal infections and therefore prevent infection-caused preterm labor. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be reached.

 C


Early research suggests that drinking fermented milk during pregnancy may prevent vaginal infections and therefore prevent infection-caused preterm labor. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be reached.

 C


Fermented milk may prevent radiotherapy-associated diarrhea. Further research is needed.

 C


Fermented milk may prevent radiotherapy-associated diarrhea. Further research is needed.

 C


Certain fermented milk may improve quality of sleep in elderly people. Further research in this area is required.

 C


Certain fermented milk may improve quality of sleep in elderly people. Further research in this area is required.

 C


Early research suggests that fermented milk may treat and reduce flares of ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestine). Further research in this area is necessary.

 C


Early research suggests that fermented milk may treat and reduce flares of ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the large intestine). Further research in this area is necessary.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To treat allergies, 100 milliliters of heat-treated fermented milk has been used by mouth daily for eight weeks. Also, 200-400 milliliters of fermented milk taken by mouth once daily for 30 days.
For heart disease prevention, 450 milliliters of Gaio? was taken by mouth daily for eight weeks.
To treat constipation, 100 grams of fermented milk was taken daily for two weeks
To treat diarrhea, 250 milliliters of fermented milk was taken by mouth daily for two weeks.
To treat Helicobacter pylori infection, 100 milliliters of fermented milk was taken by mouth once daily for 14 days. Another fermented milk preparation (125 grams) was taken by mouth twice daily for three weeks and then once daily for 13 weeks.
To treat high cholesterol, 200 grams of fermented milk product (Gaio?) was taken by mouth daily for six months.
For high blood pressure, six test tablets (12 grams) containing powdered fermented milk were taken by mouth daily for four weeks. Also, 150 milliliters of fermented milk was taken by mouth daily for 21 weeks.
For immune function, 90 grams of fermented milk was given through a feeding tube for 12 weeks. Also, 200 milliliters of fermented milk (Actimel?) was taken by mouth daily.
To treat irritable bowel syndrome, fermented milk was taken by mouth for four weeks.
To treat lactose intolerance, 480 milliliters of fermented milk was given by mouth once.
To treat postmenopausal bone loss, fermented milk was given by mouth daily for one week. Also, 220 milliliters of fermented milk was given by mouth for two days.
To reduce chemotherapy side effects, 150 milliliters of a fermented milk product was given by mouth daily.
To improve sleep quality in the elderly, 100 grams of fermented milk was taken by mouth daily for three weeks.
To treat ulcerative colitis (UC), 100 milliliters of fermented milk was taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks, in addition to UC medications.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Since fermented milk may alleviate allergies, it may increase the effect of other antiallergy agents.
Since fermented milk has antibiotic properties, it may increase the effect of other antibiotic drugs.
Since fermented milk fermented may reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea, it may increase the effect of other antidiarrheal drugs.
Fermented milk may lower blood pressure and may increase the effects of other agents that lower blood pressure.
Fermented milk may lower cholesterol levels and may increase the effects of other cholesterol-lowering agents.
Fermented milk may have effects against cancer (especially breast and colon cancer), and therefore may increase the effect of certain anticancer agents.
Fermented milk contains calcium and may increase serum calcium levels. Caution is advised if also taking other calcium supplements.
Fermented milk may slow gastric emptying. Caution is advised if taking other agents that slow gastric emptying.
Fermented milk may irritate the stomach and therefore may increase the irritation caused by drugs that irritate the stomach.
Fermented milk may increase function of the immune system and therefore may interact with drugs that alter the function of the immune system.
Fermented milk may improve sleep, and this may help increase the effects of other agents that improve sleep.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

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Puch F, Samson-Villeger S, Guyonnet D, et al. Consumption of functional fermented milk containing borage oil, green tea and vitamin E enhances skin barrier function. Exp.Dermatol 2008;17(8):668-674.
Silva MR, Dias G, Ferreira CL, et al. Growth of preschool children was improved when fed an iron-fortified fermented milk beverage supplemented with Lactobacillus acidophilus. Nutr.Res 2008;28(4):226-232.
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Yang YX, He M, Hu G, et al. Effect of a fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium lactis DN-173010 on Chinese constipated women. World J Gastroenterol. 10-28-2008;14(40):6237-6243.
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