Cheese And Upset Stomachs: What's The Connection?

Dairy products like cheese are known to cause stomach pain and discomfort. In fact, according to the National Institutes of Health, digestive disorders affect up to 70 million Americans. If you experience stomach pain after eating cheese, you may be lactose intolerant. Lactose intolerance occurs when your body doesn't produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. Symptoms of lactose intolerance, including nausea, cramps, bloating, and diarrhea, can occur within 30 minutes to two hours of consuming cheese. Additionally, cheese is high in fat, which can slow down or speed up the movement of food through your digestive tract, leading to constipation or diarrhea. However, not everyone experiences digestive issues with cheese, and moderate consumption of dairy products may even help prevent constipation.

Lactose intolerance

Cheese is a dairy product that contains lower amounts of lactose, the sugar found in milk. Lactose intolerance occurs when your small intestine doesn't produce enough of the enzyme lactase to digest milk sugar. Lactose intolerance can cause digestive symptoms such as bloating, diarrhea, and gas after consuming foods or drinks containing lactose.

The signs and symptoms of lactose intolerance usually begin within 30 minutes to two hours after consuming lactose. The severity of symptoms depends on the amount of lactose consumed and the amount of lactase produced by the small intestine. Most people with lactose intolerance can manage the condition by limiting or avoiding lactose-containing foods.

Cheese contains lower amounts of lactose compared to milk, so consuming a normal portion of cheese may not always trigger lactose intolerance symptoms. However, overeating cheese can lead to stomach pain and other lactose intolerance symptoms. The more cheese you eat, the more lactose you consume in one sitting. If your intestines don't produce enough lactase, you may experience stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhea within 30 minutes to two hours after eating cheese.

Milk or mould allergy

Stomach pain from eating cheese could be related to a milk or mould allergy. If you suspect that you have an allergy, you should consult a doctor or allergist for a clinical diagnosis.

Milk Allergy

Milk allergy is an atypical immune system response to milk and products containing milk. It is one of the most common food allergies, affecting around 2% of children in the U.S. Cow's milk is the most common cause of milk allergies, but milk from other mammals, such as sheep, goats, and buffalo, can also trigger a reaction.

The allergic reaction usually occurs soon after consuming milk, ranging from mild to severe symptoms. Mild symptoms may include itching or tingling around the mouth, lips, or tongue, while more severe symptoms can include anaphylaxis, a severe, life-threatening reaction. Other severe symptoms include shortness of breath, difficulty swallowing, a rash, a drop in blood pressure, and loss of consciousness.

To diagnose a milk allergy, an allergist may perform a blood test or a skin prick test. Treatment for milk allergy involves avoiding milk and milk products, and in some cases, carrying an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) to treat severe allergic reactions.

Mould Allergy

A mould allergy is an abnormal reaction by your immune system to mould, a type of fungus that exists almost everywhere. Mould allergies can cause minor symptoms such as itchy eyes or a rash, or more severe symptoms like breathing difficulties.

Mould allergies can be triggered by airborne mould spores or by ingesting mould in certain foods, including some types of cheese, mushrooms, fermented foods, wines, and products containing vinegar.

To diagnose a mould allergy, a healthcare provider will take a complete medical history and perform a skin and/or blood test. Treatment options include avoiding mould, taking medications such as antihistamines or nasal steroids, or undergoing immunotherapy to reduce sensitivity to mould.

Dairy intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a common condition, particularly among certain ethnic groups such as Asian Americans, African Americans, Mexican Americans, and Native Americans. It can be congenital or developmental, with some people being born with a complete lack of lactase production, while others develop a deficiency later in life. The condition can also be primary, secondary, or tertiary, with the latter being the most common form, where lactase production decreases sharply by adulthood.

While there is no cure for lactose intolerance, symptoms can be managed through dietary changes. Lactose-intolerant individuals can experiment with different dairy foods to determine which ones cause fewer symptoms. Hard cheeses, yogurt, and lactose-free or lactose-reduced milk products are generally well-tolerated. Additionally, consuming dairy products in smaller amounts or with other foods may help reduce symptoms. For those who struggle to find dairy products that don't cause issues, calcium supplements or lactase pills/drops may be recommended to ensure adequate calcium intake.

It is important to note that dairy intolerance is different from a milk allergy. A milk allergy is an immune response to milk proteins, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms of a milk allergy can include mild reactions such as rashes, hives, itching, and swelling, as well as severe reactions like trouble breathing and loss of consciousness.

High-fat content

Cheese is a great source of calcium, fat, and protein. However, it is also high in calories, saturated fat, and salt. The high-fat content in cheese can cause indigestion, which includes symptoms like nausea and bloating.

Fatty foods, such as cheese, stimulate contractions in the digestive tract. This can slow down the emptying of the stomach and worsen constipation, or it can speed up movement, leading to or worsening diarrhea. The effect depends on the type of fat and the individual's tendency towards constipation or diarrhea.

When experiencing indigestion, it is recommended to consume low-fat foods and eat small meals throughout the day, reducing pressure on the stomach. High-fat foods like butter, ice cream, red meat, and cheese should be avoided. Fried foods should also be avoided as they can cause similar issues to fatty foods.

If you are experiencing an upset stomach, it is best to stick to simple foods that are easy to digest, such as white rice, white bread toast, and clear broth. Dairy products like milk, cheese, and ice cream are hard for the body to digest due to their high-fat content and should be avoided.

IBS

Stomach pain from eating cheese is typically related to lactose intolerance, a milk or mould allergy, or eating too much cheese. If you have an intolerance to lactose, a sugar found in milk, you will likely experience stomach pain, gas, bloating, and diarrhoea within 30 minutes to two hours after eating cheese. This is because your intestines do not produce enough lactase, the enzyme that breaks down lactose.

If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), you may also experience discomfort after eating cheese. While there is no cure for IBS, avoiding certain foods may bring some relief. Cheese is one of the major culprits of discomfort for some IBS sufferers due to its lactose content, high-fat content, or high histamine content. However, harder cheeses like cheddar or parmesan are lower in lactose and may be better tolerated by those with IBS.

High-fat foods can slow down digestion, causing gas to travel more slowly through the gut, which could create more cramping and pain. This can also lead to diarrhoea for people with bile acid issues. Bile is released when we eat to help emulsify fats, but issues with bile acid reabsorption can trigger diarrhoea.

Aged cheeses such as blue cheese, cheddar, or parmesan are higher in histamine, which can trigger gut symptoms or allergy symptoms in sensitive individuals. However, cheese can be a good source of protein and key nutrients like calcium for people with IBS. It can also be a way to put on weight for those who want to do so.

Overall, while cheese may trigger IBS symptoms, it may be okay in small portions for many people with this condition. You don't need to go completely dairy-free, but it's important to monitor your tolerance and make adjustments as needed.

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