Cocoa feeding and human lactose intolerance.

On the basis of evidence of the suppressing effect of cocoa on human lactose intolerance, a feeding study was conducted on 35 subjects with a commercial chocolate-milk formula. Variables studied were breath hydrogen level (BHL), symptoms, and onset time. Data from repeated feeding were analyzed by paired t tests. The addition of cocoa significantly reduced BHL (p less than 0.005) as well as the symptom score of both bloating (p less than 0.05) and cramping (p less than 0.025). Individual lactose intolerance levels ranged from 5% (basal milk) to 12.5% with an average of 7.8% upon consumption of 250 mL milk. Having both plain and cocoa formulas contain sucrose and carrageenan led to a conclusion that the suppressive effect of cocoa observed was independent of the presence of sucrose and carrageenan. Ninety-five percent of the subjects responded positively (BHL greater than 17 ppm) to the plain and 51% to the cocoa formula.