For some people, consuming dairy products such as milk, cheese, or yogurt leads to uncomfortable digestive issues — including bloating, gas, and diarrhea.
The reason lies in a natural sugar found in milk called lactose. Lactose is a type of carbohydrate — the natural sweetness present in all dairy products.
Problems begin when the body fails to digest this lactose properly. Normally, the small intestine produces an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose into simpler sugars that can be absorbed easily.
However, when the body doesn’t produce enough lactase, lactose remains undigested in the digestive tract. This leads to fermentation by gut bacteria, causing gas, bloating, cramps, and sometimes diarrhea — a condition known as lactose intolerance.
In simpler terms, lactase acts like a key that unlocks milk sugar so the body can use it. Without that key, lactose remains trapped in the system, triggering discomfort.
People with lactose intolerance can react differently to dairy — some may tolerate small amounts, while others experience severe symptoms even from a single glass of milk.
