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Cheese is a dairy product that contains a sugar called lactose. Lactose is broken down in the small intestine by an enzyme called lactase. However, some people experience a decrease in lactase levels as they age, leading to lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance can cause gas, cramps, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Since cheese contains lactose, it can trigger these symptoms in people with lactose intolerance. Additionally, other ingredients used in the cheese-making process, such as rennet, may also contribute to gas and discomfort. While cheese is a common culprit, not all cheeses are equal in their lactose content, with harder cheeses like cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss being lower in lactose.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause of gas | Swallowing air, bacteria in the large intestine, lactose intolerance, milk allergy, or reaction to another ingredient |
| Symptoms | Cramps, bloating, burping, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, hives, itchy skin, chest pain, shortness of breath |
| Prevention/Treatment | Non-dairy replacements, soy-based cheese, lactase supplements, low-lactose cheeses (e.g. brie, feta, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, Swiss), reducing portion sizes |
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What You'll Learn
Lactose intolerance
There are three types of lactose intolerance, distinguished by different causes of lactase deficiency. Primary lactose intolerance, the most common type, occurs when lactase production decreases sharply by adulthood, often due to genetic factors. In secondary lactose intolerance, the small intestine reduces lactase production after an illness, injury, or surgery. This form is associated with conditions such as intestinal infection, celiac disease, bacterial overgrowth, and Crohn's disease. Finally, in rare cases, babies may be born with congenital lactose intolerance, caused by a complete lack of lactase production.
The symptoms of lactose intolerance usually appear within 30 minutes to two hours after consuming lactose-containing foods. To diagnose lactose intolerance, a healthcare provider may take a detailed history, perform a physical examination, and recommend dietary modifications or specific tests. The hydrogen breath test, lactose tolerance test, and stool acidity test (for infants) are commonly used to confirm lactose intolerance.
While there is no cure for lactose intolerance, symptoms can be managed through dietary changes and supplements. Most people with lactose intolerance can still consume some lactose without experiencing symptoms. Dietary adjustments may include reducing lactose intake, trying non-dairy replacements, or using lactase supplements. It is important to consult with a doctor or dietitian to ensure adequate nutrient intake, especially calcium and vitamin D, while managing lactose intolerance.
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Milk allergy
Dairy products, including cheese, contain a sugar called lactose. Most people produce an enzyme called lactase, which helps break down the lactose. However, some people's lactase levels decrease with age, making it difficult to digest lactose, leading to lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance can cause increased gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. As cheese contains lactose, it can be a culprit for gas and bloating in people with lactose intolerance.
Cheese may also cause gas due to a milk allergy. Milk allergies are an atypical immune system response to milk proteins, such as casein and whey. When a person with a milk allergy consumes milk, their immune system identifies the milk proteins as harmful and produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. These IgE antibodies then signal the immune system to release histamine and other chemicals, causing allergic symptoms. Milk allergy symptoms can range from mild to severe and typically occur soon after milk consumption. Mild symptoms include hives, itchy skin, and digestive issues like bloating and gas. However, milk allergies can also cause severe symptoms such as anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction characterised by constriction of airways and difficulty breathing.
It is important to distinguish between lactose intolerance and milk allergy. While both conditions can cause similar digestive symptoms, a true milk allergy involves the immune system, whereas intolerance does not. If you suspect you have a milk allergy or lactose intolerance, it is essential to consult a healthcare provider for testing and guidance. They may recommend avoiding dairy products or suggest non-dairy replacements to help manage your symptoms.
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Bacteria in the large intestine
Gas in the digestive system is often caused by swallowing air when eating or drinking, or as a byproduct of natural digestive processes in the intestines. The most common cause of gas is the bacteria in the large intestine that break down food during digestion. These bacteria are responsible for the expanding gas that can cause painful cramping sensations due to the pressure it exerts on the intestines.
Cheese is a dairy product derived from milk and contains a sugar called lactose. Most people produce an enzyme called lactase, which helps break down lactose in the small intestine. However, some people experience a decrease in lactase production as they age, leading to lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance can cause various symptoms, including gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhoea. As cheese contains lactose, it can trigger these symptoms in people with lactose intolerance.
In addition to lactose intolerance, some people may have a milk allergy, which can also cause gas and other allergic reactions. Furthermore, cheese contains bacteria that can be transferred to the human gut, influencing the intestinal microbiota and potentially impacting human health. These bacteria may contribute to the breakdown of food in the large intestine, leading to increased gas production.
Cheese is also a source of probiotics, which are considered "good bacteria" that can contribute to a healthy gut. Probiotics can help restore the balance between beneficial and harmful bacteria in the gut, which may become imbalanced due to various factors. Eating probiotic-rich foods like cheese can potentially improve overall health by fostering the growth of beneficial bacteria.
While gas is typically not a cause for concern, excessive gas or persistent discomfort may indicate an underlying health issue. If gas is accompanied by other symptoms or causes significant distress, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for guidance and an accurate diagnosis.
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Rennet
If you experience gas and cramping after eating cheese, but not with other dairy products, you may be reacting to an ingredient used in the cheese-making process, such as rennet. Rennet is an animal by-product used as a binder in most cheeses.
Cheese has been consumed by humans for millennia, dating back at least 4,000 years. However, many people have difficulty digesting it due to its milk content. Lactose, a sugar found in milk and most dairy products, can be challenging for some individuals to digest if their bodies do not produce sufficient lactase, an enzyme that breaks down lactose. This condition is known as lactose intolerance, and increased gas is one of its symptoms.
Lactose intolerance can develop as some people experience a decrease in lactase levels as they age. Symptoms of lactose intolerance, in addition to gas, include bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Switching to cheeses without lactose or using dairy substitutes, such as soy-based cheese, may alleviate these symptoms. Taking lactase supplements is another possible solution.
It is important to determine the cause of your gas and cramping to decide whether to switch to a different type of cheese or avoid it altogether. Consulting a healthcare professional or a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) before making dietary changes is recommended.
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High-lactose cheeses
Cheese has been consumed by humans for millennia, at least as far back as 4,000 years ago. However, many people have a difficult time digesting cheese, primarily due to its milk content. The most common cause of gas is swallowing air when eating or drinking, or as a byproduct of natural digestive processes in the intestines. The expanding gas can cause painful cramping sensations due to the pressure it exerts on the intestines. Other common symptoms of gas include bloating, burping, passing gas, and pain.
Lactose is a sugar found in milk and most dairy products, including cheese and ice cream. People who don't produce enough of the enzyme lactase have difficulty digesting lactose, which is known as lactose intolerance. Lactose intolerance can cause increased gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. Since almost all cheeses contain milk, lactose intolerance is a common cause of gas and cramping when consuming cheese.
Fresh cheeses tend to have higher levels of lactose, usually about 3-5%, as they are not aged for long. Examples of fresh cheeses include cheddar, parmesan, and gouda. Cheeses that are aged longer, such as cheddar, mozzarella, Pepper Jack, Colby Jack, Monterey Jack, Gouda, and Muenster, contain little to no lactose.
If you are lactose intolerant, you can try switching to a cheese with lower lactose content or a cheese that uses a dairy substitute, such as soy-based cheese. Taking a lactase supplement may also help reduce symptoms. In addition, most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate small amounts of lactose, so you may be able to manage your symptoms by gradually introducing small amounts of lactose into your diet and slowly increasing the amount.
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Frequently asked questions
Cheese contains lactose, a sugar found in milk and dairy products. Lactose intolerance is a common condition where the body cannot break down this sugar due to a lack of the enzyme lactase. This can cause gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Symptoms of lactose intolerance can include gas, bloating, nausea, abdominal pain, and diarrhea. These symptoms can vary in intensity and typically occur 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming dairy products.
Yes, there are many non-dairy cheese alternatives available, such as soy-based cheeses, that can be good substitutes for those with lactose intolerance.
Yes, another possible reason could be an allergy to milk proteins such as casein and whey. An allergy may cause similar symptoms to lactose intolerance, as well as hives, itchy skin, chest pain, and shortness of breath.
Yes, some cheeses are lower in lactose, such as brie, feta, mozzarella, cheddar, parmesan, and Swiss cheese. Additionally, reducing portion sizes may help alleviate symptoms.
