Eating ice cream will not cause you to become lactose intolerant, but eating ice cream can cause lactose intolerance symptoms. Your diet does not contribute to whether or not you will become lactose intolerant, but if you've been diagnosed with lactose intolerance and you eat ice cream, you will most likely develop digestive symptoms. Ice cream is made from cow's milk, which contains lactose. Lactose is a sugar primarily found in dairy products.
Lactose Intolerance
Your body cannot absorb most sugars in food without it first being digested by certain enzymes. Lactose needs the enzyme lactase to break the sugar down in a simple form that can easily absorb into the bloodstream. If you're deficient of lactase you will not be able to digest the lactose, leading to inflammation and irritation throughout your digestive tract. Undigested lactose can cause cramping, abdominal pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, gas and bloating.
Causes
Lactose intolerance is most commonly the result of aging. As you get older, your body stops making as much lactase. People who still produce enough lactase to digest normal servings of dairy are not considered lactose intolerant. Only if you develop symptoms from consuming dairy products are you considered intolerant. Other causes of lactose intolerance include digestive diseases, such as celiac disease and Crohn's disease. Injury or surgery to the stomach or intestines can cause temporary lactose intolerance. Viral infections such as stomach flu can cause temporary lactose intolerance.
Eating Ice Cream
Not everyone is intolerant to lactose to the same degree. You may be able to eat a certain amount of ice cream without developing any adverse reactions, while someone else may not be able to eat any ice cream. If you eat ice cream and develop lactose intolerance symptoms, you should talk with your doctor about using a lactase medication. Lactase supplements are available over the counter, and when taken during the first bite of ice cream can help prevent symptoms from developing.
Consideration
Some dairy manufacturers make lactose-free ice cream that is safe for consumption if you're lactose intolerant. During production the manufacturer adds lactase to the ice cream, converting the lactose into lactic acid. This process eliminates lactose from the ice cream. If you develop other symptoms aside from digestive complications, such as hives, shortness of breath or nasal congestion, you may have a milk allergy.
