Can Almond Milk Upset Your Stomach? 8 Best Milk for Stomach Problems

By - Aneeza Pervez

In the United States and elsewhere, almond milk is the most popular milk substitute. It is due to its relishing taste and lactose-free nature. It is also health-friendly and nutrient-dense. But, can almond milk upset your stomach?

Yes, almond milk can make your stomach condition worse. The health risks are from harmful chemicals and additives. Market almond milk may contain toxic elements that enhance its flavor and texture but are unhealthy for humans.

Here, I have provided a comprehensive guide about how almond milk affects the stomach and digestive processes. I’ll reveal all the facts about “can almond milk upset your stomach?” So, stay tuned!

Can Almond Milk Upset Your Stomach?

Almond milk is a good source of nutrients for human health. It is suitable for vegans, lactose-intolerant people, or people with weak or infected stomach walls. However, if you are allergic to nuts, you are more likely to upset your stomach.

Apart from these facts, disturbances in stomach or digestion after drinking milk may also be due to almond milk content, such as extra flavor, preservatives, or color additives. Some of these components may irritate the lining of the gut and cause stomach or digestion illness.

Among the harmful ingredients in manufactured almond milk is carrageenan. Carrageenan is the major responsible for all gastrointestinal disorders. Thus, it is important to buy carrageenan-free almond milk from the market.

Ingredients In Almond Milk That Can Worsen Your Stomach Health

Despite being a good choice for vegans and those with milk intolerance, almond milk can cause gut irritation due to chemically active irritants. You may find that almond milk sold in retail grocery stores contains synthetic chemicals that can harm your immune system and contribute to chronic disease.

On your store-bought ‘almond milk’ carton, you’ll find the following harmful ingredients that you should avoid:

Soy Lecithin

Soy lecithin is a natural food ingredient that you may find in a variety of foods. This agent acts both as a lubricant and an emulsifier in products. Moreover, it also serves as an antioxidant and flavor enhancer.

Processed soybeans produce soy lecithin. While soy presents no serious health risks, those sensitive to it may suffer some stomach problems. Yet, these illnesses are short-lived and can be recovered once the product is stopped.

Here are some of the soy lecithin side effects:

Some people may also experience intestinal side effects or allergic reactions, such as rash, itching, and difficulty breathing.

Guar Gum

Guar gum is commonly added to nut drinks, salad dressings, and soups as a food additive. It serves as a thickener and binding agent. Guar gum is derived from guar seeds.

Since it contains a large amount of fiber, it has been used as a laxative for centuries to absorb the excess moisture in the stool and soften it when constipated. Moreover, it can lower cholesterol and control blood sugar levels in the stomach and intestine.

The high soluble fiber content makes it an excellent source of dietary fiber for health and digestion. However, excessive intake can upset the stomach. Every person is different when it comes to diet tolerance. Here are a few side effects of guar gum:

After several days of use, these effects usually subside or go away altogether. If taken in high doses of guar gum or not enough fluids are consumed with the amount, this can lead to gastrointestinal blockages.

Dl-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate (vitamin E)

DI-Alpha Tocopherol Acetate is the synthetic form of vitamin E. It is used as a dietary supplement in nut milk and other beverages. It is derived from petroleum products.

Although vitamin E is helpful for stomach and gut health, its synthetic version is not good enough for stomach patients to use as its dietary source.

This synthetic source of the vitamin can raise blood toxicity, resulting in the irritation of cells. In particular, it results in stomach discomfort in the following ways:

Moreover, more than optimal consumption may result in prostate cancer, liver dysfunction, or skin infections.

As with natural vitamin E, synthesized vitamin E has an adverse effect because your body cannot process it. Experts recommend avoiding products that contain synthetic vitamin E.

Vitamin D2

During processing, vitamin D2 is added to nut milk as a dietary source. Vitamin D enhances calcium absorption by the bones. Fortified almond milk contains ergocalciferol, which is vitamin D2.

In general, synthetic vitamin D2 is very ineffective at treating any disease. Taking it for a prolonged period can exacerbate digestion problems and lead to stomach inflammation.

If you have a stomach illness, it may aggravate your symptoms.

Using vitamin D2 can result in the side effects listed below-

Vitamin A Palmitate

Vitamin A Palmitate is commonly used as an additive in foods as a dietary source of vitamin A. It is a synthetic form of vitamin A used to fortify almond milk.

However, it does not provide nutritional support to the body; instead, it can cause stomach irritation, congenital disease, and bone weakness. Furthermore, if consumed over time, it can cause hypervitaminosis.

You may also feel weird after ingesting vitamin A palmitate, including the following symptoms:

Carrageenan in Almond Milk and Stomach Health

Carrageenan is the food additive that is extracted from red seaweed (Chondrus crispus). The manufacturer adds it to their products despite its minimal nutritional value for its ability to stabilize and emulsify.

Indeed, carrageenan in almond milk is responsible for gastrointestinal entities. The Food and Drug Administration has mentioned that carrageenans must be labeled.

Today, carrageenan is used as a thickener in cheeses, yogurts, almond milk, soy milk, ice creams, and other processed foods to improve their texture and consistency.

Despite its benefits to manufacturing, many people experience severe stomach pain and illness after consuming products containing carrageenan. In some cases, using this product may result in stomach cancer or ulceration of the stomach lining.

Stomach Problems You May Experience After Drinking Almond Milk!

Can almond milk upset your stomach? It can! A lot of people report feeling strange after consuming almond milk.

Having stomach irritation after consuming almond milk is likely due to sensitivity to some of its components. Like people with soy intolerance, lactose-intolerant people may suffer severe side effects.

After drinking almond milk, people usually suffer from the following side effects:

Moreover, if you are suffering from IBS or other stomach disorders, it is advised to avoid the market’s almond milk as its ingredients can aggregate your stomach health. However, if you want almond milk, it is good to see its label before purchasing.

Can Almond Milk Cause Diarrhea In Babies?

No doubt, almond milk is nutrient-dense and provides essential benefits for adults. But it is not recommended as a mother milk alternative by health experts.

Almond milk is not recommended for babies under 12 months. The infant’s stomach is sensitive; thus, giving them processed or fortified dairy may result in stomach discomfort.

Moreover, added ingredients and preservatives in almond milk are not safe for a baby’s stomach health. Indeed, its high magnesium and fiber content leads to loose stool, bloating, as well as associated discomfort in babies. Also, it is hard to digest for babies. In severe cases, it can result in diarrhea.

Moreover, artificial flavors can irritate the stomach lining and result in GI irritation in the infant. No doubt, almond extract milk is a healthier alternative to cow’s milk. Yet, it cannot be used as a breast milk substitute.

Is Almond Milk Bad For Gastric?

Almond milk is anti-inflammatory and high in dietary fiber, which makes it an excellent remedy for gastritis. Furthermore, it is good for filling nutritional deficiencies due to gastritis.

Although its healthy stomach content is excellent, it may not be suitable for everyone.

Those who suffer from food allergies, such as tree nuts or lactose intolerance, are at higher risk of developing gastritis. Furthermore, almond milk can worsen your present stomach condition too.

To treat gastritis symptoms, you should use homemade almond milk together with other dietary foods. Also, stay away from ingredients that can worsen your state as well.

Related: How Almond Milk Affects Gastritis (In-depth Guide)

Some other Side Effects of Almond Milk

As well as disrupting stomach health and causing digestion issues, consuming unsafe almond milk or in large quantities can also lead to a variety of other mild to chronic conditions.

Some of these conditions include:

Homemade vs. Manufactured Almond Milk for Stomach Health

Homemade almond milk is primarily made of nuts, water, and other healthy ingredients. Hence, there is no irritant available that can cause harm to the lining of the stomach or intestines.

In fact, you will receive nutrient-rich content that promotes gut health and provides you with essential nutrients. Nonetheless, if you have a nut allergy, you might face some problems.

In contrast, manufactured milk may contain harmful ingredients, such as synthetic vitamin A, vitamin D, and colorants. Moreover, most almond milk brands contain carrageenan, which is associated with severe digestive issues.

Additionally, manufacturers use a lot of preservatives to ensure long-term shelf life. If manufactured milk is consumed over a long period, continuous exposure to chemicals may result in mild to severe stomach disorders.

So, if you love to drink almond milk, it is recommended to make a homemade version. However, if you want to purchase a healthy one from the market, you must examine its nutrients.

How Do You Make Almond Milk at Home?

To make almond milk at home, you’ll need a few kitchen items. Compared with other milk substitutes or manufactured milk, it is easy to prepare, enjoy, and has a lot of nutrients.

Here’s a recipe for almond milk that’s perfect for boosting energy and preventing indigestion. You can prepare it yourself and serve it to your friends and guests. Also, your toddler will not get sick from it. So here’s how it goes!

Ingredients

How Do I Make Almond Milk?

Best Milk for Stomach Problems

Milk is an essential source of nutrition that we cannot ignore. The milk in our diet plays a crucial role in our health. It is not advisable to end it from your diet.

Still, you should refrain from consuming too much milk. Drinking milk as part of a balanced diet will keep you healthy. Also, inspect the label before you buy milk.

In particular, for stomach health, you should avoid plant or animal milk that can harm you in any way! The following are milk options you can choose from with the help of your dietitian or gastroenterologist.

Final Words 

I’ve reviewed all your queries on “Can almond milk upset your stomach?” and concluded that your stomach might accept food that is easy for it to digest. In particular, if you suffer from stomach problems, you should take care in choosing your diet.

Healthy eating is the key to a long and happy life. Thus, it is better to prepare almond milk at home instead of consuming chemical milk from the market. It is less expensive and healthier.

Your health is your tummy! Take care of it!

FAQs

Is Almond Milk Hard To Digest?

Almond milk is free of any dairy product. It is 100% plant-based and provides good content of nutrients to its consumers. But, it may be hard to digest for people with a milk sugar allergy. But, people with a healthy stomach can digest almond milk with a few chances of bloating or constipation.

Is Almond Milk Bad For IBS?

Homemade almond milk is good for the health of irritable bowel syndrome. Since it contains high magnesium content and soluble fat, it helps the bowel’s regular movement and improves gut health. Thus, it is good for IBS patients.

Yet, some brands of manufactured milk may contain carrageenan that can make IBS symptoms worse.

Can Almond Milk Cause Gas?

Yes, almond milk may cause stomach and intestinal gas. This condition may occur when the stomach is unable to digest certain contents from the milk. Thus, its fermentation in the gut results in gas or bloating.

If you experience stomach gas after drinking milk, you should avoid it.

What Are The Symptoms Of Almond Allergy?

If you suffer side effects after drinking almond milk, you might be suffering from almond allergy (nut allergy). Following are the few signs and symptoms of almond or nut allergy:

Should I Completely Stop Drinking Almond Milk If I Have Stomach Problems?

It is not a good idea to drop milk from your life. If you are allergic to milk, you can go through its substitute or make a healthier one at home that might be good for your stomach health.

You can also limit your intake with the help of a dietitian or gastric expert.

Read related articles:

Does Almond Milk Cause Constipation?

Does Almond Milk Cause Acne?

Is Almond Milk Good for Diabetics?

Craving Milk During Pregnancy – What It’s Trying To Tell You!