INTESTINAL NITROGEN AND ELECTROLYTE MOVEMENTS FOLLOWING FERMENTED MILK INGESTION IN MAN

The present study focuses on the digestion and absorption of milk and fermented milk (FM) reflected by gastro-ileal N and electrolyte moveme nts in six healthy volunteers. The N and electrolyte content of the in testinal effluents were analysed both at the beginning of the jejunum and in the distal ileum. The gastric half-emptying time of the liquid phase was significantly (P < 0.05) shorter for milk (35 (SE 2) min) th an for FM (60 (SE 2) min). The N balance showed that 58 and 50% of ing ested proteins, milk and FM respectively were absorbed between the sto mach and the proximal jejunum and that 91 and 90% respectively were ab sorbed between the stomach and the terminal ileum in 240 min. Evaluati on of mineral absorption indicated that 44 and 67 % of Ca was absorbed in the duodenum after milk and FM ingestion respectively, and 41 and 11% of Ca disappeared between the jejunum and the ileum respectively. With regards to N and Ca intestinal availability, the present study co nfirms that FM products represent an interesting source of N as well a s minerals for man. This confers on FM a beneficial effect compared wi th milk especially for lactase (EC 3.2.1.108)-deficient subjects and c hildren with persistent diarrhoea.