Does Dairy Milk Cause Bloating? Uncover Some Potential Causes

What is bloating?

Bloating is a common condition where the stomach feels full, tight and sometimes overstretched. According to Dr Emma Beckett, occasional discomfort after eating is usually just your stomach and intestines doing their job as stomachs are designed to expand, especially after a big meal.

However, bloating can sometimes be very uncomfortable and severe, making it difficult to go about your day. If it does become disruptive, this guide offers some key and helpful points to consider about the cause of your bloating.

Can lactose intolerance make you bloated?

Lactose intolerance is when the body is not able to fully digest the sugar (also known as lactose) in milk. This can lead to bloating, gas, and stomach pain for some people.

However, not all bloating is due to lactose intolerance. Sometimes, it's about what else you're eating or when you're eating it. "A big myth about lactose intolerance is people think it's all in or all out," Beckett explains. Most of us can actually handle a bit of dairy. "Most people have a degree of lactose tolerance. A small amount of milk spread throughout the day or eaten with food may not give them symptoms. Lactose tolerance is a spectrum, and most of us have some lactose tolerance and can consume some milk or dairy."

Before cutting dairy milk out altogether, Beckett suggests trying a2 Milk® Lactose Free, which includes lactase to break down the lactose without altering the nutritional value of milk. "Trying a2 Milk® Lactose Free is the kind of step I'd love to see people doing before they straight up avoid milk because avoiding milk is very extreme and will have consequences for your nutrient intake," she says.

Does A1 beta-casein cause bloating?

A1 beta-casein, a protein found in ordinary cow's milk, can be harder to digest for some people, which might cause bloating and other digestive issues.

Dr Beckett suggests trying a2 Milk® as a potential alternative to see if it makes a noticeable difference. a2 Milk® comes from specially selected cows that naturally produce milk with only A2-type protein and no A1 protein, which may be easier on digestion than ordinary milk for some milk-intolerant individuals, when consumed as part of a healthy, varied diet.

Can a dairy allergy cause bloating?

People with a dairy allergy can experience severe symptoms after consuming milk, due to the way their immune system responds to it. As Dr Beckett explains, "It's important to distinguish that an allergy is generally more serious, and poses higher risks, than lactose intolerance." While those with a lactose intolerance primarily experience digestive issues, people who are allergic to dairy can experience broader symptoms.

If you do think you might have a dairy allergy, it's important to see a doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Other causes of bloating

There are many other possible causes of bloating other than dairy products. Bloating can also stem from eating habits such as eating too quickly or drinking carbonated beverages. Other causes include stress, constipation and other conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

With so many potential reasons, it can be very challenging to actually identify and eliminate problematic foods yourself. "Self-diagnosing is a real risk," Dr Beckett says. "When we self-diagnose, we don't get to the root cause of what's happening. We find connections that aren't really there or go for the simplest explanation. It's often not the thing we think we're cutting out."

This is why if you are experiencing persistent bloating, it is important to consult a healthcare professional to get to the root of the issue and find a solution that ultimately works for you.