Bloating is a condition in which our stomach feels swollen after eating. It is typically caused by an overabundance of gas creation or disturbance in the muscles of the digestive system. 

Bloating can cause a disturbance, inconvenience and a "stuffed" feeling. It can, likewise make the stomach look swelled, distended and larger than it's natural size.

Bloating VS. Water Retention

Bloating is entirely different from water retention, yet the two terms are usually used interchangeably. Set forth plainly, bloating includes unreasonable measures of solids, fluids or gas in the digestive tract, particularly the stomach.


Around 16–30% of individuals report that they consistently experience bloating, so this is normal. Although bloating is often brought about by specific ailments, it is regularly brought about by the eating routine we have.

In contrast, water retention occurs when excess fluids build up in the body's circulatory system and cause swelling in your extremities, such as your legs and feet may induce puffiness of the tissue directly below your skin and show within the face.  A diet high in sodium, carbohydrates and excess alcohol consumption can contribute to water retention. 

11 Proven Techniques to Beat the Bloat

Try Not to Overeat in One Sitting

Individuals who experience bloating regularly tend to eat heavy meals leading to increased food in the stomach. Subsequently, eating more modest dinners can be extremely helpful.

Identify Food Allergies and Intolerances

When you eat food sources that you are allergic to, it can cause an abundance of gas creation, bloating and different indications.

Common intolerance include intolerance to:

Lactose: Lactose narrow mindedness is related to numerous stomach related problems, including bloating.

Fructose: Fructose allergy can prompt bloating.

Eggs: Gas and bloating are common indications of egg hypersensitivity.

Wheat and gluten: Many individuals are hypersensitive to gluten, a protein in wheat, spelt, grain and some different grains.

Food hypersensitivities and bigotries are the usual reasons for bloating. Basic wrongdoers incorporate lactose, fructose, wheat, gluten and eggs.

Consider taking a Food Intolerance test to help you identify foods that trigger the bloat.

Try Not to Swallow Air and Gases

There are two wellsprings of gas in the stomach related framework. One is gas delivered by the microorganisms in the gut. The other is air or gas that is gulped when you eat or drink. The primary causes are carbonated refreshments like pop or bubbly beverages.

They contain rises with carbon dioxide, a gas that can be delivered from the fluid after it arrives at our stomach.

Try Not to Eat Foods That Give You Gas

If specific foods cause you to feel enlarged or give you gas, scale them back or avoid them. Eating greasy food sources can likewise stimulate lethargic absorption and may add to bloating for specific individuals.

Attempt a Low-FODMAP Diet

If you frequently experience bloating, with or without other stomach related indications, a low-FODMAP diet may provide you with some relief.

Here are some familiar high-FODMAP food sources:

  • Wheat
  • Onions
  • Garlic
  • Broccoli
  • Cabbage
  • Cauliflower
  • Artichokes
  • Beans
  • Apples
  • Pears
  • Watermelon

Starches called FODMAPs can drive bloating and other stomach-related side effects. 

FODMAP stands for fermentable (refering to the gassiness in foods), oligosaccharides (i.e legumes, cruciferous vegetables, onions, garlic wheat and barley), disaccharides (i.e dairy products) and polyols (sugar alcohols found in certain fruits and fruit juices, chewing gum, energy bars and soft drinks). 

Be Careful with Sugar Alcohols

Sugar alcohols are generally found in sans sugar food sources and chewing gums.

Sugar alcohols can cause stomach related problems, for example, bloating, particularly when devoured in huge portions. Try to limit the intake of sans sugar biting gums and different wellsprings of sugar alcohols.

Take Digestive Aid Supplements

Digestive supplements assist the breakdown of food and encourage healthy digestion.  Beautifully Nourished’s Gut friendly, Fibre Pro contains Pysllium husk powder, Inulin powder and probiotic Lactobacillus Acidophilus, which helps to support a healthy and balanced gut.

When You've Got to Go, Go!

Try Not to Be Constipated.  Constipation is a typical stomach related issue and can have a wide range of causes. Constipation can intensify bloating side effects. Sufficient water intake and sufficient fibre intake can be compelling against constipation.  Do not hold stools in, when the body calls to release. 

Take Probiotics

The gas created by the microbes in the digestive tract is a significant supporter of bloating. There are various sorts of microscopic organisms that live there, and they can shift between people.

It appears to be consistent that the number and sort of microorganisms could have something to do with gas creation, and there are a few examinations to help this.

A few clinical examinations have shown that specific probiotic enhancements can help diminish gas creation and bloating in individuals with stomach related issues.

Beautifully Nourished's Detox Contains 5mg of Lactobacillus Acidophilus at 150 billion/g


Document What You Eat

When trying to identify foods that cause you to bloat, using an app to track your intake can be a great place to start.  Foods affect people's digestive systems differently - keeping a food journal to write down what you ate and how you felt a few hours later can be useful, especially when used in conjunction with an intolerance test.

Make Smart Food Swaps

Try little hacks such as flavouring foods with fresh herbs and spices instead of salt to help ease the stomach. 

 
By Ayesha Gulzar, PharmD, Doctor of Pharmacy, Research and Medicine
Editor and Founder: Katherine Elyse Blake, BSC Nutrition, ANutr

 

Katherine Blake