We’ve all experienced it – that sensation of fullness and swelling in the abdomen, sometimes giving you gas and a feeling of pressure on your stomach. This feeling is not only physically uncomfortable but also may affect our mood and self-esteem. We all will experience bloating from time to time. Often caused by natural processes during digestion, bloating is typically triggered by the accumulation of fluid or production of gas in the body.
Photo via: health.com
If you feel bloated after meals, it might be time to look at the types of foods you have been eating. Although bloating is a temporary feeling—it’s best to help your body by finding out certain bloat-busting foods, as well as avoiding those that cause bloating to begin with. Bloating can be caused by ingesting excess air (gas) in the intestines and can happen for several reasons: food allergies and intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation and pre-menstrual syndrome, eating certain foods that either produce gas or cause your body to retain water. Also swallowed air can cause one to bloat, we tend to swallow air when eating too quickly or drinking from a straw, or by chewing gum. A remedy is to eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly.
Bloating is rarely serious, but if it occurs frequently we advise on seeing a doctor. With an understanding of what causes bloating, the following are some of the best foods that prevent/reduce the severity of it, read on.
- Ginger
Ginger is good for your stomach. It delivers a ton of health benefits, and helping with digestion is one of them! Ginger has been used for thousands of years to treat various gastrointestinal issues. It contains an enzyme called zingibain that helps digest proteins. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory and has been used for centuries as a digestive aid helping to alleviate gas, bloating, nausea and indigestion. Ginger acts as a muscle relaxant that allows the body to easily pass out gas. You can get your ginger fix in a variety of forms, though fresh ginger is richest hence most advisable. Try sipping on some ginger tea or chewing on thin ginger slices.
- Mint
Mint is a classic herb that has been lauded for centuries for its digestive properties. This fresh plant has medicinal properties. Actually, mint has muscle-relaxing abilities and can reduce indigestion and belly troubles. The best use of mint to prevent bloating is to steep it in tea. Like ginger, peppermint calms muscles in the stomach and allows gas to pass.
- Water melon
Water melon is high in water; about 90% of a watermelon consists of water. Â Watermelons are natural diuretics, causing you to urinate excess water and salt out of your body. Potassium also helps you excrete sodium and relieve bloating.
- Lemon Water
Bloating occurs as a result of the body’s need to hold on to water. So drinking more water will help your body to distribute water and flush out bloating and because lemon is a natural diuretic it’ll help get the job done faster. Hydration flushes excess sodium from your body to flatten your stomach and lemon soothes your digestive system, which helps you banish bloat for good.
- Green tea
In addition to boosting your metabolism, green tea has been shown to decrease belly bloat. A cup of warm green tea is anti-inflammatory, and it won’t increase gas. It can help to reduce the symptoms of the common tummy trouble such as abdominal pain, cramping and sensations of fullness. Green tea also improves digestion and reduces gas. When used safely and occasionally, it is a potent natural remedy for bloating.
