Can people with stomach ulcers drink milk?

Overview of ulcers and acid reflux disease

Ulcer is a collection of symptoms and discomfort in the stomach as a result of indigestion. Many ulcer sufferers describe ulcers as stomach pain, flatulence, nausea and vomiting, and heartburn (heartburn).

Known in the medical world as dyspepsia, ulcers are a common digestive problem that can happen to anyone. However, this condition is more experienced by people who have problems with stomach acid.

Your stomach cells naturally produce acid. Gastric acid is actually useful for killing germs and helping the digestive process. However, excess stomach acid production can cause digestive problems.

Excess stomach acid can flow back up into the esophagus. If this happens continuously, this is called acid reflux disease (GERD). GERD sufferers generally often experience ulcer symptoms, especially abdominal pain and heartburn .

The good and bad effects of drinking milk for ulcer sufferers

Drinking milk has an effect on the digestive conditions of people with ulcers and acid reflux disease. This effect comes from three nutrients found in milk, namely calcium, protein and fat.

1. Calcium helps neutralize stomach acid

Calcium carbonate is one of the ingredients in antacids, drugs for stomach acid disease. Calcium is neutralizing stomach acid so it can prevent stomach acid from rising (reflux) into the esophagus.

Thanks to its high calcium content, milk is often considered a natural ulcer medicine. This is also what a group of researchers in South Korea tried to prove in their 2019 study regarding drinking milk and ulcer symptoms.

According to a study involving more than 11,000 respondents, high calcium intake is associated with a reduced risk of stomach acid reflux in men. Calcium intake also helps reduce the risk of esophageal irritation from stomach acid.

In addition, calcium is an essential mineral for muscles, including the esophageal sphincter muscle. People with GERD usually have a weaker esophageal sphincter. In fact, the sphincter prevents stomach acid from rising into the esophagus.

2. Protein helps reduce symptoms

The protein in the milk you drink is also useful for relieving stomach ulcers and stomach acid. A 2017 study found that people with GERD who ate a lot of protein had less symptoms.

This is probably because the protein stimulates the production of the hormone gastrin. Gastrin increases sphincter muscle movement and speeds gastric emptying. This can prevent food and stomach acid from rising back up into the esophagus.

However, gastrin can also increase stomach acid production, resulting in ulcer symptoms. In other words, experts haven't been able to fully conclude whether protein relieves ulcer symptoms or makes them worse.

3. Fat can worsen ulcer symptoms

Milk is a high-fat drink. One glass of milk (250 mL) whole milk can even donate 8 grams of fat to your body. Fat is actually good for the body, but ulcer sufferers must be more careful in consuming these nutrients.

Fatty foods are one of the triggers for ulcers and stomach acid. This is because fat relaxes the esophageal sphincter muscles. In fact, the esophageal sphincter should contract when you are not eating to prevent stomach contents from rising.

In addition, fat also takes longer to digest. This means that the gastric emptying time will be slower than it should be. As a result, stomach contents including the milk you drink are more likely to rise and cause ulcer symptoms.

Milk suitable for people with stomach acid

Milk can actually worsen the symptoms of stomach ulcers and acid reflux disease, but that doesn't mean you should completely stop drinking milk. You can still drink milk comfortably as long as you choose the right type of milk.

Here are some types of milk that you can consume.

1. Low-fat milk

There are different types of milk on the market, viz whole milk with whole fat content, low-fat milk (2% fat), and skim or fat-free milk. Milk that is suitable for people with stomach acid is one that contains 0 - 2.5% fat.

Free or low fat milk can be buffer while for the stomach. Solution which is buffer not easily affected by changes in pH (acidity level) of the environment. So, your stomach will not get more acidic.

2. Almond milk

Almond milk is considered suitable for people with acid reflux because of its alkaline nature. Almonds have a pH of 8.4. This value is classified as alkaline and higher than the pH of cow's milk which is 6.8.

The pH value is believed to neutralize stomach acid. Even so, further research is needed to ensure that the content of almond milk is really safe for people with ulcers and stomach acid.

3. Soy milk

Soy milk can be a safe choice for people with stomach acid because it is low in fat. One glass of soy milk (200 mL) contains only 5 grams of fat, lower than cow's milk by type whole milk.

Milk is a drink with a myriad of benefits. However, sufferers of ulcers or stomach acid disease do need to be extra careful in choosing the type of milk that is suitable for their digestive conditions.

Low-fat milk or milk alternatives may be safer options for your stomach. However, if your stomach still feels uncomfortable after drinking milk, you should consult your doctor for a solution.