Keep Bloating at Bay

The most common causes of bloating are:

• Constipation
  

• Lactose intolerance
  

• Irritable bowel syndrome
  

• Ovulation and menstruation
  

• Gaseous food items
  

• Food allergy
  

• Overeating is probably the most common cause of bloating. Smaller portions should ease the pain.
  

• Eating rich and fatty food can make you feel uncomfortably stuffed. Fat takes longer to digest than protein or carbohydrates, so it keeps the stomach full longer. Avoid bloating by limiting fats in your everyday diet.
  

• Eating too fast adds to the risk of bloating after a meal. The remedy is simple -? eat more slowly. Satiety signals can take up to 20 minutes to reach the brain and dampen appetite. Many weight loss experts believe that eating slowly helps prevent overeating.
  

Reducing Gassiness

The most common cause of temporary bloating is gas in the abdomen. About half of gas in the digestive system is swallowed air. The rest is produced by bacteria in the gut that help digest food. If the gastrointestinal tract does not move it through efficiently, gas builds up in the intestines, causing bloating and discomfort.

If you frequently experience bloating caused by gas, avoid these habits that increase how much air you swallow.

drinking through a straw
chewing gum
guzzling carbonated beverages
sucking on hard candy

Some people swallow more air when they’re nervous. It’s possible that practicing ways to reduce stress and anxiety, such as breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation, may help reduce excess gas and bloating.

Avoid Bloat-Inducing Foods

Difficult-to-digest foods can cause gassiness and bloating. These are some familiar culprits.

Beans and lentils contain indigestible sugars called oligosaccharides. These sugars must be broken down by bacteria in the intestines.
Fruits and vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, carrots, prunes, apricots. These contain sugars and starches that may cause gassiness and bloating.
Sweeteners can also cause gas and bloating. Sorbitol, an artificial sweetener, can’t be digested. Fructose, a natural sugar added to many processed foods, is difficult for many people to digest. To avoid bloating, be aware of these sweeteners in the foods you eat and limit the amount you consume.
Dairy products can be a source of intestinal distress and bloating if you have trouble digesting lactose, or milk sugar.
Whole grains, recommended for their many health benefits, can sometimes cause bloating and gas problems. One reason whole grains are so healthy is their high fiber content. But fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate. Abruptly increasing the amount of fiber you eat can cause gas, bloating, and constipation. Nutritionists recommend slowly increasing the fiber in your diet to allow your body time to adjust. At the same time, drink plenty of water with high-fiber foods.




You may discover various ways to reduce and treat bloating, and flatulence, but trying some simple home remedies for bloating will give you a big relief.

1. Grandmother’s Secret Recipe

Asafetida is an incredible spice, and an herbal remedy used for treating stomach disorders like indigestion, back pain, bloating, gas, continuous burping, and get rid of a stomach ache.

Cumin seed is another delightful spice, which has enzymes that help in breaking down the food, and therefore aid in digesting the food. The only granny knows the secret of combining both of these spices to get rid of the stomach related problems, but now you also know it!

Process: Asafetida Decoction

Take 10 gm of asafetida in a dried gum form.
Also, take 3 gm of cumin seed powder.
Put these ingredients in a pan over a low flame with 200 ml of water.
Boil it for 10-15 minutes or till the water is reduced to half.
Now, allow it some time to become cool.
Drink it now.
Take this decoction whenever you are suffering from bloating and sharp stomach pain due to gas and indigestion.
This will immediately reduce bloating and the associated pain by providing an instant relief.

2. Stress Detoxification

Medically, secretion of low hydrochloric acid (HCL) is responsible for indigestion, which leads to bloating and flatulence. Less HCL means more bloating and gas, and vice-versa.

But, who is behind all this? Stress is known to be the biggest factor for low stomach acid. Instead of digesting the food it leads to the indigestion of food.

So, here is a wonderful remedy by using lemon, turmeric, and ginger to keep you away from bloating after eating, which is caused due to stress.

Why Lemon?

Acidity in lemon increases the production of stomach acid, which helps to break down the food. It also helps the enzymes in livers to work more efficiently.

Why Turmeric?

It has an anti-inflammatory property that works excellent in digesting the food.

Why Ginger?

Ginger helps in increasing the muscle quality around the intestines, which helps the stomach to move food down to the digestive tract.

Process: Stress Detox

Take few lemons to make ? cup of juice.
Then take a small jar, and pour the lemon juice into it.
Add 1tsp of turmeric powder to the lemon juice.
Now, take 1 inch of ginger, and make 10 to 15 slices of it.
Add the ginger slices into the lemon juice mixture.
Chew one ginger slice soaked in the lemon juice mixture, 10 minutes before eating your food.
This remedy works effectively to detoxify your whole body.
Follow this remedy, especially before eating heavy foods, and you will notice less bloating and gas in your stomach.

3. Peppermint

Peppermint contains menthol that has an antispasmodic effect on the soft muscle of the digestive track. It is great for relaxing the churning stomach, and reducing the pain associated with gas and bloating.

Peppermint also offers a calming effect on the nerves, and so can soothe the aching stomach, which really feel the effect of uneasiness and anxiety. It aids in relieving the spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct or gallbladder.

Process: Peppermint Tea

Put a peppermint tea bag in a cup.
Heat a cup of water and pour the water over the tea bag in the cup.
Now, cover the cup without removing the tea bag.
Let it set for 15 minutes, and then take out the lid.
Press the tea bag to get every drop of it, and then remove it.
Enjoy every sip of your tea.
If you do not like peppermint tea, then chew some fresh peppermint leaves to find relief from bloating.
Drinking a cup of tea after dinner soothes flatulence, and assists the food to pass quickly through the stomach.
Drink 2-3 cups of this tea every day to avoid bloating.

4. Fennel Seeds

Fennel seed is loaded with a diuretic, carminative and pain reducing qualities. It also contains anti-microbial properties. All these qualities of fennel seeds make it useful to treat digestive problems like stomach pain, or lower back pain apart from bloating and gas.

It reduces bloating by soothing muscle spasms of the digestive tract.

Process:

Take some fennel seeds and always chew it after having a heavy meal.
Or you can make a tea by adding 1 tsp of fennel seeds in a cup of boiling water.
Cover up, and allow it to settle for 10 minutes.
Strain it, and enjoy your tea.
You can take this tea up to 3 times during a day to avoid or reduce the problem of bloating.

5. Buttermilk, Rock Salt and Fruit Powder (Chebulic Myrobalan)

Using these 3 powerful ingredients helps to get rid of bloating, gas and mild constipation. This powerful home remedies also helps in improving digestion.

Process:

Take 1 pinch of rock salt, and 1 tsp of fruit powder (Chebulic myrobalan).
Add this into 100 ml of buttermilk.
If you don’t have buttermilk at home, then make it by blending a cup of curd with 2 cups of water.
Stir well, and drink it after eating food.
Take this buttermilk 2-3 times in a day, and you will find quick relief from bloating and burping.
Regularly taking buttermilk for 2-3 weeks will reduce the problem of constipation, bloating and indigestion.
It is very good for digestion, particularly at night.



6. Chamomile

Chamomile tea is a further potent option to get relief from bloating. This herbal tea contains anti-inflammatory and anti-spasmodic properties, which are very useful in soothing the stomach.

Process: Chamomile Tea

Put 1 cup of water to boil, and transfer it into a cup with chamomile tea bag.
Put a lid on the cup, and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Now, press the tea bag with a spoon in order to get every drop of it.
You can add ? tsp of lemon juice and 1 tsp of honey as per your taste.
Drink this tea slowly, and take it 3 times a day in between the meals.
Continue taking this tea for a month or two to avoid reoccurring of stomach
It is also effective for heartburn.

7. Anise

Also known as aniseed, Anise has anti-spasmodic properties, which can help calm your digestive tract. It also has carminative properties, which assist to push out the build-up of gas in the digestive tract and decreases swelling in the stomach.

Process: Anise Tea

Take 2 tsp of dried aniseed and pour a cup of boiling water to it.
Allow it to sit for 15 minutes and then strain it.
Drink this tea 2-3 times a day.
You can even chew 1 tsp of aniseeds after eating meals.
Intake of this tea regularly will help you treat the gas and bloating
Anise is also helpful in giving relief from cramps and tightness in the stomach.
Caution: Expectant women and children should not take this herb as it can result in vomiting, spasm, and uneasiness.

8. Dandelion

Dandelion contains natural diuretics and laxative properties that help in regulating the digestive system. Intake of dandelion on a regular basis helps in getting rid of gas and bloating.

Process:

Take 1 tsp of dried dandelion leaves, and stir it with a cup of boiling water.
Let it steep for 5 minutes, and in between stir it with a spoon.
Filter the tea, and if you like then add few drops of lemon and 1 tsp of honey to it.
Drink this tea regularly for few weeks to prevent the problem of bloating.



Here are few simple tips, if followed will help you to avoid, or stop the problem of bloating and gas.

Have the diet rich in zinc or take capsules, which contain zinc. Zinc is an important mineral, which regulates the production of stomach acid that is helpful in digesting the food. People who are above 30 should take zinc, as stomach acid starts reducing after the age of 30.
Avoid fast foods and carbonated drinks that contain a high amount of sugar and salt, which will increase the problem of bloating.
Drink plenty of water every day, as water flushes out the sodium and other toxins from your stomach, and reduces the chances of bloating. Whenever you feel your tummy is tight or bloated, drink 1-2 liters of water immediately, and you will find quick relief from bloating.
Avoid eating foods quickly. Chew your food slowly, else you will consume air along with the food, which gets caught up, and causes bloating.
Drink fruit juices, soups, and herbal teas regularly, as it also aids in reducing bloating.
Stop smoking as smoke goes inside your lungs and stomach and causes bloating.
Working out or various physical activities daily helps to reduce your stress level. As discussed earlier stress is one of the main causes of bloating.
Always have a small portion of meals, and don’t full yourself at once to avoid the problem of bloating and gas.
Avoid carbohydrate foods and starches like fried chips, noodles, bakery items to prevent
Consume foods rich in fiber, such as pumpkins and banana to reduce the problem of bloating and gas.
Drinking warm lemon water every day, first thing in the morning prevents stomach related issues.
While drinking milk, adding 1 tsp of turmeric powder also prevents bloating.
Avoid chewing gums as the opening of your mouth frequently increases the intake of air, which gets trapped in your stomach and cause bloating.

When to Ask Your Doctor About Bloating

Temporary bloating is common and nothing to worry about. But if you’re troubled by bloating on a regular basis, talk to your doctor.

Physical obstructions such as scarring of the stomach opening can make it hard for food to pass through the digestive tract normally. If your doctor diagnoses a physical obstruction in the stomach or small intestines, surgery may be required to correct it. Bloating can also be caused by impaired muscle function in the digestive tract. When muscles that normally move food along don’t work properly, gas can build up in the small intestines, causing bloating. In some cases, gas in the intestines may go the wrong way, returning to the stomach.