The composition of different foods, such as milk, can play a role in how your digestive tract handles the food. Some people have trouble digesting a compound known as lactose, which can be found in milk and other dairy products. As a result, dairy products can come with a full amount of lactose or have a reduced amount of this compound.
Lactose
Lactose is a sugar that is found in dairy products, including milk. Lactose is a disaccharide, which means that it is made up of two smaller sugar molecules linked together. These two sugars, KidsHealth.org says, are known as glucose and galactose. When you ingest milk or other dairy products containing lactose, your digestive tract has to break down the lactose before the sugars can be absorbed by your intestines. All cow milk or dairy products made with cow milk naturally contain lactose.
Lactose Intolerance
Most people are able to digest the lactose present in milk. Some people, however, are unable to break down lactose in their intestines. Lactose is broken down in the intestines by a protein known as lactase, but some people have little or no lactase active in their intestines. This disorder is known as lactose intolerance and results in people having trouble consuming milk with lactose in it. If you have lactose intolerance and drink milk with lactose, you may develop gas, diarrhea, nausea and abdominal cramping.
Reduced Lactose Milk
Because people with lactose intolerance are unable to properly digest lactose, there are many milk products that contain reduced amounts of lactose or that are lactose-free. These milk products are the same as regular milk but have had the lactase protein added to them, which causes the lactose to be broken down. These reduced lactose or lactose-free milks may be slightly sweeter than regular milk.
Considerations
Even if you have lactose intolerance, you may be able to consume milk with lactose. Drinking small amounts of milk at a time may help minimize your symptoms, the Food and Nutrition Service says, particularly if you consume food while drinking milk. Gradually increasing your milk consumption over time can help your body adjust to the lactose in milk. You can also purchase lactase supplements, which can be added to milk, to help break down the lactose.
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