Why does my stomach swell when I drink milk?

Everyone knows how much people like dairy products, especially young women and children. Female friends like yogurt because it has the effect of whitening and nourishing the skin, and children like the taste. However, there are also some problems when drinking milk, which is related to your own body or the quality of milk. Speaking of this, many people want to know why the stomach bloates after drinking milk?

Milk contains lactose, which is very unique and not found in other natural foods. This sugar has good nutritional effects (such as promoting mineral absorption, helping the beneficial bacteria in the large intestine, etc.), but it requires the small intestine to secrete a special "lactase" in order to digest and absorb it.

Unfortunately, some adults' small intestinal mucosal cells cannot secrete this lactase, or the lactase activity is low (this situation is more common), and they cannot digest and absorb lactose in milk well. After the undigested lactose enters the large intestine, it is fermented by the bacteria in the large intestine, producing gas (abdominal distension); and due to the increase in osmotic pressure, the water content in the large intestine increases (diarrhea), which in turn leads to discomfort, abdominal pain, etc. The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of reduced lactase activity, the amount of lactose intake, the accompanying food, the state of the intestine, and the individual's ability to perceive abdominal bloating rather than abdominal pain.

Genetic (DNA) research shows that humans 9,000 years ago, like other animals, could only digest and absorb lactose during the lactation period, and were unable to digest and absorb lactose at all after adulthood. But since then, something has changed in human DNA that allows adults to have lactase as well. This heritable change allows many adults to digest and absorb lactose. Simply put, people who are lactose intolerant carry the original gene (more common in Asians and Latin Americans), while people who can digest and absorb lactose carry the new gene that evolved (more common in Europeans).

Can lactose intolerant people drink milk? The answer is yes, but some special choices are required:

⑴ Do not drink fresh milk but drink yogurt

After fresh milk is fermented by lactic acid bacteria, most of the lactose is broken down by lactic acid bacteria, which can significantly alleviate the symptoms of people with lactose intolerance.

⑵Do not drink milk on an empty stomach

You can drink milk during meals or within 1 hour after meals, or you can drink milk with cereals (such as steamed bread, biscuits, bread, etc.) or meat and eggs. This can "dilute" the lactose concentration and alleviate symptoms of intolerance.

⑶ Drink milk in small amounts and frequently

You can start with a small amount (such as 50 ml) to allow the gastrointestinal tract to slowly get used to it, and then gradually increase the amount.

⑷Choose low-lactose milk

The so-called low-lactose milk is made by using lactase and other methods to break down lactose during the production process, so the lactose content is lower.

After having a certain understanding of why drinking milk causes bloating, I hope everyone can know that there are many things to pay attention to when drinking milk. And it is best not to drink milk on an empty stomach, which will cause some discomfort, especially for the stomach. And whether it is milk or anything else, you need to pay attention to the way you drink it. I hope everyone understands it well.