9 Diseases Caused by Drinking Milk

3. Lactose Intolerance

You’ve probably heard someone tell you they’re “lactose intolerant”. Or maybe you’ve said it when you made a long speech about why you can’t drink milk. After all, 75 percent of the world’s population has lactose intolerance and there’s a 3 out of 4 chance you’re one of them.

Why drinking milk is bad for you: Lactose intolerance is a common disease in adults, though it can also affect children. Milk, which contains large amounts of lactose, is one of its major causes. Lactose is a natural sugar found in milk. Sadly, many people are unable to digest it. Lactose intolerance occurs when the body doesn’t produce enough lactase, an enzyme responsible for breaking down lactose.

Basically, you’ll end up with indigestion due to lactose intolerance. You’ll experience uncomfortable symptoms anywhere between 30 minutes and 2 hours after drinking milk. Watch out for bloating, abdominal cramps, flatulence, diarrhea, and vomiting.

How to prevent disease caused by milk: Milk is a good source of calcium, protein, magnesium, and other essential nutrients. But if you suffer from lactose intolerance, consider alternative sources for nourishment such as spinach, soy beans, and tofu. It would be best if you avoid other dairy products as well since they too contain lactose. Aged cheese and yogurt are exceptions to the rule. Fermentation breaks down some of the lactose found in these foods, making them easier to digest.