Does Dairy Cause Inflammation? Here’s What You Are Missing Out on!
The first response you get when dealing with face or body inflammation is to leave dairy. Most people believe dairy is one of the biggest culprits triggering a direct inflammatory response. Is dairy responsible for inflammation, or is it just a myth? There have been arguments on the same topic that can confuse people.
If you are experiencing inflammation, you speculate your food first to see what may be causing it. Most people assume dairy might be triggering their direct inflammatory response. This article will deeply analyze dairy and its response to our bodies.
Let’s begin!
Does Dairy Cause Inflammation?
Contrary to what most people say, dairy does not cause inflammation but reduces it. If you are wondering how to reduce inflammation, you must see the food you are eating. If you are eating too many inflammatory foods, you are bound to experience inflammation.
Dairy alone cannot cause inflammation until and unless you are milk-allergic or lactose intolerant. However, combining dairy foods with other substances can trigger your direct inflammatory response. On the other hand, fermented dairy foods are popular for their anti-inflammatory effects soothing your stomach instantly. Determining what else you could be having that can cause inflammation is essential.
If you are experiencing chronic inflammation, it can be due to some unhealthy habits. Smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol are the biggest contributors to chronic inflammation. Are tomatoes inflammatory? This is a debate for another day, but some vegetables may also cause inflammation.
When to Avoid Dairy?
In most cases, dairy is not responsible for inflammatory responses in your body. However, it can trigger a few people’s inflammatory responses if they have some underlying conditions.
Here are a few conditions in which you should avoid dairy:
1. Dairy with Saturated Fats
Dairy with saturated fats is readily available, and we enjoy it in our meals. Coconut oil, cream, cheese, and whole milk are some examples of saturated fats. In our daily lives, we use a lot of saturated fats in our meals, which don’t cause inflammation.
It is not unhealthy to eat saturated fats, but excess of it can trigger a natural inflammatory response in your body. High-fat dairy can become harmful if you don’t control its intake, increasing the fat content in your body. Hence, you must avoid dairy with saturated fats if you are prone to inflammation.
2. Milk Allergic
Quite a few people don’t have a good relationship with milk. As soon as they consume milk, they start feeling sick and nauseous. Casein is a protein in milk that a few people can be allergic to. It increases the gastric response triggering bloating and causing diarrhea in some cases.
See a doctor if you have a milk allergy, which can be mild or fatal. Milk allergy can attack your immune system, causing inflammation. You can explore plant-based or nut milk options if you have a milk allergy.
3. Lactose Intolerance
Lactose intolerance is also like a dairy allergy in people, which does not allow them to digest it very well. The lack of enzymes restricts some people’s bodies from breaking down sugar in dairy. It can cause mild diarrhea, indigestion, gas, and bloating.
Lactose intolerance is not life-threatening but can cause a severe stomach bug. Hence, it is best to avoid dairy and use other natural substitutes. Dairy does not cause inflammation in lactose intolerant people, but other adverse reactions. Hence, it is best to consume less dairy or avoid it completely.
Why Does Having Dairy Soothes Inflammation?
Many people like to have dairy daily to improve their health and reduce inflammation. Fermented dairy is the best for inflammation as it helps calm and soothe it.
Here are a few reasons why having dairy helps:
● Improves Gut Lining
We all know why having milk is important; it is a great source of calcium and protein. However, fermented dairy foods like yogurt greatly improve gut lining and repair it. They are a source of good bacteria that helps in providing digestive support.
One of the benefits of having fermented foods is that it helps in enhancing the immune response. Hence, it allows you to fight inflammation and any other health concerns. Having a few grams of yogurt or other fermented foods at least once a day is advisable.
● Soothes Inflammation
If you think milk or dairy products cause inflammation, you are mistaken. Dairy products have proteins that help soothe inflammation and support your body’s inflammatory response. Having milk with other anti-inflammatory foods can help your body heal faster. Ensure milk with other anti-inflammatory foods, such as fruits, vegetables, lean meat, etc., to combat inflammation.
Final Verdict
Inflammation can happen for various reasons; even some foods can cause it. However, most people think dairy is the biggest culprit and cut it out first. While only some people can benefit from cutting out dairy, it is only the case for some. If you are not milk-allergic or lactose intolerant, dairy can benefit you.
