Many people have had the experience of having an upset stomach and even diarrhea as soon as they drink milk. What's going on here? Today, let's take a look at this question and understand the science behind it.
First of all, we need to understand that milk is a nutritious drink that contains a lot of protein, fat, minerals and vitamins, especially calcium and vitamin D. However, milk also contains a special type of sugar – lactose. The digestion of lactose relies on lactase, an enzyme in the human intestines. Lactase breaks down lactose into simple sugars, which can be absorbed and utilized by the body.
However, there is a subset of people who do not have enough lactase in their bodies, a condition known as lactose intolerance. People who are lactose intolerant will remain in the intestine after ingesting milk because lactose is not sufficient due to the lack of lactase. This unbroken lactose is broken down by bacteria in the intestines, producing large amounts of gases and organic acids, resulting in an imbalance in the intestinal environment, which in turn causes diarrhea, bloating and other uncomfortable symptoms.
In addition to lactose intolerance, intestinal dysfunction is also one of the causes of diarrhea after drinking milk. Intestinal dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, such as irregular diet, excessive mental stress, intestinal flora imbalance, etc. In this case, the intestinal tract's ability to absorb and utilize lactose is reduced, and symptoms of intolerance are predisposed.
In addition, an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota may also lead to diarrhea after drinking milk. The intestinal microbiota refers to the state of balance between the various microorganisms in the intestine. When this balance is disrupted, some harmful bacteria can multiply, disrupt the intestinal environment, affect the digestion and absorption of lactose in the intestines, and thus trigger diarrhea.
So, for people who are prone to diarrhea after drinking milk, how should they deal with it? First, try drinking milk in small amounts and often to allow your gut to get used to lactose intake. Secondly, you can choose specially processed milk, such as lactose hydrolyzed milk or lactose-low milk, which has been partially or completely broken down in lactose and is more easily absorbed by the intestines. In addition, maintaining a balanced diet and eating more foods rich in probiotics can help maintain the balance of intestinal microbiota and improve the intestinal digestion of lactose.
In conclusion, diarrhea after drinking milk may be related to lactose intolerance, intestinal dysfunction, and intestinal microbiota imbalance. Understanding these scientific principles, we can choose the right milk products according to our physical condition and lifestyle habits, maintain intestinal health, and enjoy the nutritional benefits of milk.