Does Almond Milk Cause Gas?
If you’ve recently switched to drinking almond milk, you may have noticed some digestive troubles. I certainly experienced more gas and bloating myself when I first introduced almond milk into my diet. This led me to ask: Does almond milk cause gas?
In this article, I’ll explore the connection between almond milk and gas in detail. I’ll cover the potential causes, look at the role ingredients like carrageenan play, examine if you might have an intolerance or allergy, and outline the benefits of drinking almond milk too.
Can Almond Milk Cause Gas?
For most people, drinking almond milk should not cause excessive gas or flatulence. The majority of individuals can consume almond milk without any issues.
However, some people may experience digestive troubles like bloating, gas, cramps, and diarrhea after drinking store-bought almond milk. There are a few potential reasons for this.
Almond Milk Intolerance
Some individuals may have an intolerance to almond milk, which triggers symptoms like gas, abdominal pain, and diarrhea when they drink it. Just like lactose intolerance with cow’s milk, some people’s bodies struggle to properly digest components in almond milk.
Allergies
In rarer cases, a person could have an allergy to almonds or another ingredient found in almond milk, which causes problems like excessive flatulence when consumed. Allergies can develop at any time, even if you’ve had almond milk before with no issues.
Carrageenan
Carrageenan, a common food additive used as a stabilizer in almond milk and other dairy alternatives, is known to provoke gastrointestinal inflammation, bloating, and gas production in some individuals. Carrageenan has been linked with stomach ulcers as well.
Other Stabilizers and Additives
Almond milk contains various stabilizers and additives like gellan gum, sunflower lecithin, locust bean gum, artificial flavors, and artificial sweeteners. Some people may react negatively to them and experience digestive discomfort like flatulence.
Allergy and Bloating
If your gas is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like hives, swelling, vomiting or difficulty breathing after drinking almond milk, you may have a food allergy.
Sugar Allergy
Some people develop an allergy to the high sugar content in store-bought almond milk. Added sugar, often in the form of cane sugar, makes up 2-3 grams per cup in many popular almond milk brands.
Almond Protein Allergy
Though almond milk contains little almond nutrition, the small amount of almond proteins present may trigger an allergic response in sensitive individuals. Tree nut allergies typically develop in childhood but can emerge later in life too.
Bloating from Fiber
While almond milk only contains about a quarter of an almond’s nutrients, its fiber content may still contribute to bloating issues. Fiber from almonds undergoes fermentation by gut bacteria in the large intestine, which produces gas as a byproduct.
Benefits of Drinking Almond Milk
Despite the potential for gassiness in some people, almond milk has many benefits that make it a nutritious choice of plant-based milk. Here are some of the top health perks of almond milk.
Good Source of Vitamin E
One cup of almond milk provides nearly 22% of your recommended daily intake of vitamin E. This powerful antioxidant helps fight inflammation and protect your cells against damage from free radicals. Vitamin E may lower your risk of chronic diseases like cancer and heart disease. It also promotes healthy bones, eyes and metabolism.
Calcium Content
While almonds themselves contain little calcium, calcium carbonate is added during almond milk production. One cup can provide around 37% of your daily calcium needs. This makes almond milk helpful for people avoiding dairy, such as vegans and those with lactose intolerance.
Low in Calories
Although almonds are high in fat and calories, commercial almond milk is very low in calories at just 39 per cup. Almond milk has a comparable fat content to low-fat dairy milk since it is watered down to achieve a 1% fat level.
Dairy-Free Alternative
For those withmilk allergies, lactose intolerance orfollowing a vegan diet, almond milk offers a tasty, plant-based alternative to dairy milk without any of the allergens or animal products.
Conclusion
For most people, moderate almond milk consumption will not lead to excessive gas, though some individuals may experience digestive troubles. If you develop concerning symptoms like hives or vomiting after drinking almond milk, see a doctor promptly as you may have a food allergy.
Despite the risk of flatulence, almond milk offers important nutritional benefits like vitamin E, calcium, and antioxidants while being low in calories and dairy-free. Try switching brands or making your own almond milk at home without additives if store-bought options cause discomfort. With an otherwise healthy diet, almond milk can be part of a nutritious regimen for many people.
