Dietitian Explains Why Your Morning Brew Might Cause Bloating
A gastro dietitian based in London has provided a detailed explanation for why countless Brits experience uncomfortable bloating after their morning cup of tea or coffee. For many people, brewing that first hot drink upon waking is an automatic ritual, essential for facing early work starts, managing children, or simply enjoying a peaceful moment before the day begins.
However, the comforting morning cuppa might be the unexpected source of that bloated feeling. Olivia Molyneux, a practising gastro dietitian in London, has revealed that adding even a small splash of milk to your tea or coffee could be triggering bloating in some individuals.
The Role of Lactose in Dairy Milk
Olivia explained: "If you've ever felt bloated after your morning cuppa or your midday cappuccino, it might not actually be the drink itself, it could be that splash of milk." She clarified that black tea and coffee on their own typically do not directly cause bloating, although they can sometimes trigger other symptoms associated with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
The issue lies with regular cow's milk, which contains lactose. For those who are lactose intolerant, the lactose from a milky latte or multiple cups of tea with milk throughout the day is not fully digested. "Meaning it reaches the colon where it's then fermented and this can cause bloating," Olivia stated.
Understanding Lactose Intolerance
The NHS defines lactose intolerance as experiencing symptoms like stomach discomfort after consuming foods containing lactose, a sugar naturally present in dairy products. Beyond digestive issues, people may also experience non-digestive symptoms, including:
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Joint or muscle pain
These symptoms can often be managed by consuming smaller portions of lactose-containing foods or avoiding them entirely. Olivia, who shares gut health advice on her TikTok account @olivia_the_dietitian, emphasises the importance of professional guidance.
Seeking Professional Advice
She advises: "Before you go making any sudden changes to your diet, if you think you might be lactose intolerant, I always recommend working with a dietitian to guide you through that structured trial and reintroduction to make sure you're not cutting out foods unnecessarily."
In response to a viewer's question about bloating even after drinking water, Olivia highlighted that bloating can have multiple causes. She explained: "Super glad you found it interesting. There could be many reasons someone experiences bloating and to get to the root cause or help manage it, many factors like your individual medical, dietary and lifestyle factors would need to be assessed by a professional, such as a GP, gastroenterologist or specialist gastro dietitian."
This comprehensive insight underscores the need for personalised medical evaluation rather than self-diagnosis, ensuring that dietary adjustments are both safe and effective for managing digestive health.
