Stomach bloating can often cause pain, discomfort and a “stuffed feeling” that looks unsightly. The symptoms of bloating can often be resolved with relatively small changes. Not long ago, medical professionals thought bloating was but a figment of their patients imaginations. According to Doctor Barbara Bolen, a leading figure in the treatment of IBS, bloating is a universal phenomenon, with approximately 30 per cent of the general population suffering from it. These percentages increase significantly amount IBS sufferers, with 80 to 90 per cent reporting being bloated regularly. There are six foods that have been proven to be the biggest culprits when it comes to releasing extra gas and causing bloating. What are they?
Salt
Salt contains sodium which causes bloating because it retains extra water, predominantly around the abdomen.
Bloating is not always down to extra gas in the body but rather when the body retains water and salt exacerbates this.
Try to avoid high-salt content foods and always read the label as to how much salt food items contain.
Beans
When people think of bloating foods, beans often come to mind.
Beans for the most part are super healthy however if a person’s digestion is not up to speed, this will cause major bloating because of beans sugar content which is not digestible and therefore extra gas is produced within the body causing bloating.
Wheat
Wheat products have often been surrounded by health controversy due to its main property, gluten.
Despite the controversy however wheat is widely consumed with many choosing for a sandwich during lunchtime breaks.
If a person has wheat allergies or gluten sensitivity then abdominal pain, bloating and gas will occur. Try options of gluten-free bread or other types of grain to reduce bloating.
Onions
Even though onions are only consumed in small amounts their main dietary source is fructans which are soluble fibres that cause bloating.
Additionally, some people are sensitive or intolerant to other compounds in onions, especially raw onions and will further increase bloating symptoms.
Fizzy drinks
Fizzy drinks or carbonated drinks are another very common cause of bloating.
These drinks contain high levels of carbon dioxide which is a gas.
When you drink these drinks you end up swallowing large amounts of this gas and some of it gets trapped in the digestive system and causes uncomfortable bloating.
Bloating often comes down to gut health
Nutritionist, Velile Ndebele from Aqualibria
Chewing gum
Chewing gum is a disaster for the digestion because it causes the stomach to ready itself for food.
When the food does not enter the stomach, the digestive system becomes upset and gas is created.
The constant swallowing of air when chewing will also increase gas and bloating.
Nutritionist, Velile Ndebele from Aqualibria said: “Bloating often comes down to gut health and in modern society we often define health as the absence of disease yet in reality it is far more than that.
“Improving your gut health can deliver a whole host of benefits from reducing bloating to weight loss and increased energy.”
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