Fermented milk = sugary drink! 100 ml contains 12 grams of sugar

Sweet and sour taste good? Does lactic acid bacteria protect the intestines? Many people like to drink a can of lactic acid bacteria beverage to aid digestion when they are constipated. However, a survey by the Tung Foundation found that the average sugar content of commercially available fermented milk beverages is about 12 grams per 100 c.c., which is equivalent to 2.4 sugar cubes. Drinking a can of 60% of the products exceeds the daily sugar calorie requirement, which may make people fatter the more they drink.

In 2015, the Tung Foundation conducted a survey on 20 fermented milk beverage products on the market. It found that for 12 of the products, drinking a whole bottle would exceed the daily sugar intake standard. (Photography by Luo Huiwen)

WHO: Daily sugar intake should not exceed 5% of total calorie intake

Too much sugar! Obesity, metabolic syndrome, and cancer

Lin Yanting, a nutritionist from the Food Nutrition Group of the Tung Foundation, said that the World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that each person's daily sugar intake should be 5% of total calorie intake. Taking 2,000 calories per day as an example, the daily sugar intake should not exceed 100 calories (equivalent to 25 grams of sugar or 5 sugar cubes).

However, the Tung Foundation conducted a survey in 2015 on 20 fermented milk beverage products on the market and found that 16 of the products had an average added sugar content of 12g/100cc, which is higher than the 12g/100cc of carbonated beverages. In addition, if we do not break down the sugar content per hundred cc and calculate it by total volume, there are 12 products in total. Drinking a whole bottle will exceed the daily sugar intake standard.

For example, every 471 ml bottle of BIDO active lactic acid bacteria fermented milk (original flavor) is equivalent to consuming 56.5 grams of sugar or 12.6 sugar cubes. Even the BIDO active lactic acid bacteria fermented milk original flavor Light, which is certified as a "healthy food", contains 34.8 grams of added sugar in 300 ml, which is equivalent to 7.7 grams of sugar cubes.

Nutritionist Lin Yanting said that fermented milk drinks are not the same as fermented milk, and the government should formulate more stringent product labeling regulations. (Photography by Luo Huiwen)

Xu Huiyu, director of the Food Nutrition Group of the Tung Foundation, said that long-term and excessive intake of sugar will increase the incidence of obesity, fatty liver, dental caries, metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and cancer, and will also lead to endocrine disorders and negative emotions such as depression and mania. For children, excessive consumption of sugar can lead to sugar addiction, hyperactivity, inattention and other sugar addiction syndrome, so it is better to eat less.

Fermented milk ≠ fermented milk beverage! Don't be stupid and confuse

In addition to the high sugar content, the survey also found that 16 products were labeled as "fermented milk" but were actually "fermented milk drinks" with milk content less than half that of real fermented milk. One of the products is called "lactic acid yogurt", which not only makes it difficult to tell whether it is fermented milk or yogurt, but its milk content is less than 35%. What people drink is not lactic acid bacteria, but sugar water and various artificial additives that may not be necessary.

According to the Republic of China National Standard CNS3058 formulated by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the milk content of "fermented milk" must be above 90%, and the number of live bacteria per milliliter must exceed 10 million; while the milk content of "fermented milk beverage" is 35% to 45%, and it is made by adding sugar and flavoring, and the number of live bacteria per milliliter only needs to be above 1 million.

In this regard, Director Xu Huiyu stated that the current labeling regulations for "fermented milk" and "fermented milk beverages" are unclear and there is no penalty. She called on the Ministry of Health and Welfare to include this in the regulations for mandatory product labeling. Violators can be fined, which will alert businesses and provide the public with a clearer reference for purchasing.

Fermented milk drinks replenish good bacteria in the body? Eat fresh fruits and vegetables

The Tung Foundation also reminds the public to pay attention to their intestinal health. Instead of drinking fermented milk drinks, it is better to consume more high-fiber fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts and soy products. This can create an environment for the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and reduce bad bacteria. At the same time, they can also absorb a variety of nutrients to make the body healthier.