Why does drinking milk on an empty stomach cause stomach pain?
Feb 24, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhou Chao
Introduction
Drinking milk on an empty stomach may cause abdominal pain due to the low temperature of the milk, which can irritate the gastric mucosa and lead to spasms of the gastrointestinal smooth muscle. It could also result from consuming a large amount of milk at once, suddenly overburdening the digestive system and causing indigestion. Alternatively, prolonged fasting may impair gastrointestinal function, leading to a lack of lactase in the intestines and resulting in lactose intolerance.
Stomach pain after drinking milk on an empty stomach may be caused by factors such as cold stimulation, indigestion, or lactose intolerance.
1. Cold Stimulation
On an empty stomach, the protective function of the gastrointestinal tract may be reduced. If the milk consumed is too cold, it can irritate the gastric mucosa and cause spasms of the gastrointestinal smooth muscles, leading to pain.
2. Indigestion
Drinking a large amount of milk at once may overload the digestive system, making it difficult to properly digest nutrients in milk such as proteins and calcium, resulting in indigestion and discomfort.
3. Lactose Intolerance
Prolonged fasting may impair gastrointestinal function, leading to insufficient production of lactase enzyme in the intestines. Without enough lactase, the body cannot properly digest and absorb lactose in milk, causing lactose intolerance and symptoms such as abdominal pain and bloating.
In addition, conditions such as acute gastroenteritis may also be responsible. To prevent severe pain, prompt medical attention is usually necessary. During treatment, it's important to strictly follow medical advice to avoid affecting therapeutic outcomes.
