Is Yogurt Good for Stomach Aches?

Partly: yogurt may be tolerable during a mild stomach ache if you tolerate dairy, since live cultures in some yogurt help break down lactose. Yogurt is not a proven treatment for stomach pain, though, and it can make symptoms worse for some people. If you try it, start with a small amount and stop if you feel worse.

When might yogurt be a reasonable choice?

Yogurt can be a reasonable food to try when your discomfort is mild, you feel like eating and dairy usually agrees with you. It is not necessary to eat yogurt, and feeling better after eating it would not establish what caused the ache.

Stomach aches have many possible causes, so a food that feels comfortable in one situation may be unhelpful in another. For other gentle options, see the best foods for stomach aches.

If yogurt has previously caused you bloating, cramps or diarrhea, be cautious about trying it during an ache. More yogurt is not necessarily better, and there is no reason to keep eating it if it increases your discomfort.

How might yogurt affect a stomach ache?

Yogurt is made with bacterial cultures that ferment milk and break down some of its lactose, the sugar naturally found in milk. When yogurt contains live cultures, those cultures can also help break down lactose during digestion. That may make yogurt easier for some people with lactose intolerance to digest than milk, although tolerance varies.

This effect does not mean yogurt treats the cause of a stomach ache. An ache unrelated to lactose digestion may not improve, and yogurt still contains ingredients that can cause symptoms in some people.

Lactose-free yogurt may be an option if lactose tends to bother you, but it is not guaranteed to feel comfortable. It can still contain milk proteins, so it is not suitable for someone with a milk allergy.

What does the evidence say about yogurt for stomach aches?

No research is cited here that directly tests yogurt as a treatment for stomach aches. The ability of cultures to help break down lactose is not the same as proof that eating yogurt relieves abdominal pain.

The cause of discomfort matters, as do the type of yogurt and the person eating it. A product that one person tolerates may cause symptoms in another, and the presence of live cultures does not guarantee pain relief.

There is no established yogurt product, amount or eating schedule that can be recommended as a proven remedy for a stomach ache. Use it as a food you may tolerate, not as a substitute for identifying persistent or concerning symptoms.

How should you try yogurt for a stomach ache?

Choose plain yogurt made from pasteurized milk if you want to try it. A label mentioning live cultures can help you identify a product that contains them, but it does not promise that the yogurt will relieve your symptoms.

Start with a few spoonfuls rather than a large serving. Eat slowly and notice whether your discomfort stays the same, improves or gets worse. Stop if yogurt seems to trigger more pain, bloating or diarrhea.

If you usually have difficulty digesting lactose, check the label for lactose-free yogurt. Keep in mind that flavored products can contain other ingredients you may not tolerate, so a simple product can make it easier to notice your response.

Follow the package’s refrigeration and storage instructions, and do not eat yogurt that appears spoiled. If eating is difficult or you have lost fluids, the best drinks for stomach aches offers hydration options.

Who should avoid yogurt, and when should you see a doctor?

Avoid yogurt made from milk if you have a milk allergy; lactose-free dairy yogurt is not a safe substitute. If symptoms such as lip or tongue swelling, wheezing or trouble breathing occur after eating, seek emergency help because they can signal a serious allergic reaction.

Talk with a clinician if stomach pain keeps returning, does not improve, or is accompanied by fever, repeated vomiting or ongoing diarrhea. Frequent symptoms after dairy are also worth discussing rather than assuming that lactose is the only possible cause. Do not stop prescribed medication because of a stomach ache or replace medical care with yogurt.

Seek urgent medical care for severe or worsening abdominal pain, a hard or rigid abdomen, blood in vomit or stool, black stools, or signs of serious dehydration such as confusion or very little urine. Inability to keep fluids down also needs prompt medical attention.

During pregnancy, choose yogurt made from pasteurized milk, and seek prompt medical advice for significant abdominal pain. For a young child with stomach pain, vomiting or diarrhea, contact a clinician for guidance, especially if the child is not drinking normally or seems unusually sleepy.