Cheddar cheese makes up a part of the average American diet. The flavor of cheddar cheese varies according to the age of the cheese. Younger cheeses taste milder, while aged cheddar has a much sharper flavor. Various types of cheddar cheese are used to garnish some pizzas, sandwiches, hamburgers and pasta dishes, or may be eaten on their own as a snack. While many people consume cheddar cheese without digestive issues, some, people may develop abdominal pain and gas.
Nutrients in Cheddar Cheese
Cheddar cheese contains a number of nutrients, some of which can affect your digestive health and potentially cause a distended abdomen. The cheese provides a source of protein, with 1 oz. containing about 7 g of the nutrient. Cheddar also provides several beneficial nutrients, including vitamins A, D, B-2 and B-6, as well as the minerals calcium, phosphorus and selenium, Cheddar also contains fats -- 9.4 g per 1-oz. serving -- including almost 6 g of saturated fat. Cheddar provides a source of milk sugars, including 0.07 g lactose -- the sugar responsible for the side effects in some people.
Lactose
Cheddar cheese contains a small amount of lactose that is difficult to digest for some people. Lactose is a type of disaccaride -- a two-part sugar made by linking together the simpler sugars galactose and glucose. Once ingested, an enzyme called lactase breaks down lactose from cheddar cheese within your digestive tract, giving rise to separate galactose and glucose sugars, which are then absorbed through your intestinal wall and into your bloodstream. Your body can then utilize and convert these sugars into a source of fuel for your cells and tissues, though lactose may cause unpleasant side effects, like a distended abdomen.
Gas Pain Due to Lactose
Eating cheddar cheese, or other foods containing lactose, can lead to painful gas pain for some people. Since the breakdown of lactose relies on the presence of the enzyme lactase within your digestive system, those who produce little or no lactase cannot properly digest foods that contain lactose. This condition, called lactose intolerance, can cause gas pain, bloating, flatulence or diarrhea that develop soon shortly after eating.
Avoiding Gas Pain
You can help control lactose intolerance and prevent gas pain after eating cheddar cheese through dietary modifications or drugs. One simple way to avoid gas pain after eating cheese is to avoid lactose by choosing lactose-free cheese products instead of regular cheddar cheese. You also can take over-the-counter tablets that contain lactase before you eat cheddar cheese. They will stimulate the proper breakdown of lactose in your digestive tract.
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