Does Cheese Cause Bloating?

Eating cheese may cause an upset stomach, poor digestion, gas or, in some cases, bloating. Cheese contains lactose, a natural sugar found in milk products, which can be difficult for some people to digest, which can cause bloating. Bloating can also occur after eating cheese if you have irritable bowel syndrome. While bloating is not a symptom, eating cheese may also affect those with a milk allergy.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance results when the body produces insufficient lactase, an enzyme, to digest lactose, or when the body has a problem absorbing lactose 3. In both cases, this leads to undigested lactose, which can cause:

• pains
  
• diarrhea
  
• gas
  
• bloating

A physical exam by a doctor, testing for abdominal bloating as well as tenderness and pain, is required to diagnose lactose intolerance 3. If you are lactose intolerant, consider eating non-dairy cheese substitutes or eating only hard cheeses, such as Parmesan, cheddar or Swiss, as they contain little lactose.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

High fat foods such as cheese can exacerbate IBS symptoms. While IBS can result from an illness, it is also often a chronic condition, so regularly avoiding high fat cheeses is important to avoid symptoms. If you must include cheese in your diet, look for low-fat alternatives, preferably ones that have been fermented or cultured, such as yogurt cheeses or cottage cheese. Cultured cheeses irritate your bowel less and the lower fat content is less likely to trigger IBS symptoms like bloating.

Milk Allergy

Milk allergies, particularly to cow’s milk, is more common in infants and small children, although it can also affect adults. Symptoms of an allergy can be mild to severe, manifesting as hives, or in extreme cases, anaphylactic shock. A blood test is needed to diagnose the condition, and while most children outgrow a milk allergy, in some cases it persists into adulthood. Unlike with lactose intolerance, a milk allergy is caused by the immune system’s overreaction to milk, rather than an inability to digest a natural sugar 3. Bloating is not typically a symptom of a milk allergy. If you believe you have a milk allergy, get an allergy test and avoid cheese and other milk products until the diagnosis is confirmed.

Other Potential Causes

While cheese can be difficult for many people to digest, look for other causes of bloating in your diet other than just cheese. In some cases, other food intolerances or IBS triggers can cause bloating as well, so cheese may not be the primary culprit. To be sure, eliminate cheese from your regular diet to see if the situation improves. If it does not, check that you have no other food intolerances and that your diet is high in dietary fiber. A diet high in dietary fiber can reduce the symptoms of IBS and slow down the passage of food through your digestive system, giving your body more time to break down foods for better absorption.