Can you drink yogurt with stomach bloating?

Feb 27, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health
Disease description:

Recently, I've been experiencing some stomach bloating, but I feel like drinking yogurt. I'd like to ask the doctor, is it okay to drink yogurt when experiencing stomach bloating?

Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua

Gas in the stomach can be relieved to some extent by drinking yogurt in appropriate conditions.

Yogurt contains various probiotics, and moderate consumption can help improve the intestinal flora and promote gastrointestinal motility, thus helping to alleviate the condition of stomach bloating. However, if the bloating is caused by lactose intolerance, the lactose in yogurt may exacerbate symptoms. Additionally, some brands of yogurt may contain high levels of sugar or artificial sweeteners, which also might cause or worsen bloating. If the bloating is not caused by lactose intolerance and the digestive system responds well to dairy products, moderate yogurt consumption may help relieve gas.

Moreover, although yogurt is beneficial, excessive consumption is not recommended. Drinking too much yogurt may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract, leading to indigestion, which could worsen symptoms of stomach bloating. Also, avoid consuming yogurt that is too cold; it is advisable to let yogurt sit at room temperature for a while before drinking it to avoid irritating the stomach and intestines.

In addition to moderate yogurt consumption, patients experiencing stomach bloating should also control their intake of staple foods, eat smaller meals more frequently, avoid overeating, and refrain from consuming foods that are easy to produce gas, high in fat, or irritating.