If you usually have breakfast with a nice cappuccino, latte or other drinks made up of milk and coffee mixed together, perhaps in the morning you may have noticed some digestive heaviness, bloating or other intestinal problems.
Yet, for millions of Italians, cappuccino and brioche are an indispensable ritual. But what really happens in our body after that first creamy sip of the morning?
You have probably never associated these disorders with the consumption of your favorite drink, but the time may have come to do so.
Often, in fact, it is not just a question of lactose or acidity: the way we combine foods can also influence digestion and general well-being.
Is combining milk and coffee in the morning for breakfast or at other times of the day really a good idea? We asked nutritionist Flavio Pettirossi.
Here’s what he told us:
Let’s start by saying that over the years, the enzyme responsible for splitting lactose tends to decrease and for some people this could cause bloating and gastrointestinal problems. If milk is then consumed in association with coffee (acidic drink), the mixture is heavier as it considerably lengthens the digestive process (up to 3 hours).
Translated into practice: if after a cappuccino you feel “bloated” or sleepy, it’s not just your impression. The body is actually working harder to break down breakfast.
Many adult people already struggle to digest milk in itself and when coffee is added to this, the situation tends to become more complicated, making the work of the stomach and intestines harder.
Especially people suffering from colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome, should try to avoid this combination.
A valid alternative could be to drink the coffee alone and consume the milk (or vegetable drink) at least half an hour apart: in this way, smoother digestion is promoted.
But is there a solution to this problem which, let us remember, not everyone notices?
Surely, if you can’t do without this solution for breakfast, you could avoid making it even heavier by not adding overly elaborate croissants or biscuits. Traditionalists, who cannot give up cappuccino or latte macchiato, could replace cow’s milk with a drink of plant origin such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, etc., thus making breakfast lighter and more easily digestible. Furthermore, this last solution is also excellent for those who are lactose intolerant and would not like to give up a good cappuccino.
Needless to say, the classic bar breakfast consisting of cappuccino and croissant is certainly not a good choice to start the day, as Doctor Pettirossi had always explained to us in a previous article.
Remember: breakfast doesn’t have to be heavy to be rewarding. Even a light and balanced meal can give the same boost — without weighing down the stomach and intestines.
