Lactose Intolerance
If you’re lactose intolerant, yogurt can cause stomach pain. Yogurt is made from cow’s milk, which contains lactose, a complex sugar that the body can’t absorb. The small intestine can secrete an enzyme called lactase, which breaks down lactose, allowing it to be digested.
Some people begin to lose their ability to digest lactose when they reach adolescence or adulthood, because they naturally begin to make less lactase. When you don’t have enough lactase, the lactose is not digested and causes stomach pain, gas, bloating, cramping and diarrhea, according to Mayo Clinic.
For some people with lactose intolerance, yogurt is easier to handle than milk, because the live and active cultures in yogurt help break down lactose, making it easier to digest. If one brand of yogurt is causing problems, it may be worth experimenting with new yogurt products. For example, Greek yogurt typically has less lactose than plain yogurt, according to the Journal of Diary Research. You may find that you can tolerate a small serving or even an entire container of your favorite brand.
There are also lactose-free yogurts available, as well as plant-based alternatives that contain no lactose.
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