While many of us can eat them without concern, these foods cause discomfort for some. You may be lactose intolerant Lactose is the natural sugar found in milk and dairy products. To digest lactose, your body produces an enzyme, called lactase, in the cells that line the small intestine.
Lactase breaks down the lactose in foods so that they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.
This condition is called lactose intolerance. The most common symptoms of lactose intolerance include abdominal pain, nausea, gas, bloating and diarrhea. Symptoms usually appear from 30 minutes to 2 hours after consuming a food or drink containing lactose. Not all adverse reactions to milk or dairy products are due to lactose intolerance, so it's important to consult your physician if you develop symptoms after consuming dairy products. A simple test will confirm whether or not you are lactose intolerant.