Published on: 5/21/2025
Can Dairy Consumption Lead to Constipation or Diarrhea?
Dairy can cause constipation or diarrhea, especially in people who are lactose intolerant or sensitive to cow's milk.
Explanation
Dairy products can affect bowel movements in different ways. For some people, especially those with lactose intolerance, consuming dairy can lead to diarrhea. This happens because their bodies cannot properly digest lactose, the sugar in milk, which can cause loose stools.
Cow's milk protein intolerance can lead both both diarrhea and constipation, particularly in children, although chronic diarrhea is more common than constipation
In summary, if you experience digestive problems after consuming dairy, it could be due to lactose intolerance or a sensitivity to cow's milk proteins. It's important to pay attention to how your body reacts to dairy and consult with a healthcare provider if you have concerns.
(References)
- Leszkowicz J, Plata-Nazar K, & Szlagatys-Sidorkiewicz A. (2022). Can Lactose Intolerance Be a Cause of Constipation .... Nutrients, 35565753.
- Iacono G, Cavataio F, Montalto G, Florena A, Tumminello M, Soresi M, et al. (1998). Intolerance of cow's milk and chronic constipation in children. The New England journal of medicine, 9770556.
- Rana S, Morya RK, Malik A, Bhadada SK, Sachdeva N, & Sharma G. (2016). A relationship between vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, .... Clinica chimica acta; international journal of clinical chemistry, 27642086.
Tell your friends about us.
We would love to help them too.
For First Time Users
What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?
We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.
Not sure about the cause of your current symptoms?
Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor’s Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.