Do you ever wish you could eat certain foods and not look like you have a food baby in your belly afterwards? Maybe you ate something that left you feeling like you’re filled with hot air? You’re not the only one. Bloating happens to the best of us and can be extremely frustrating! Bloating is a common stomach problem. It happens when your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. It can result in stomach pain, excessive gas and a swollen belly, and it can be caused by a number of reasons.
Causes of Bloating
Overeating. Have you ever tried to stuff ten pounds of potatoes into a five-pound bag? That’s right, you can’t! The same is true for your stomach. Your stomach can only have so much room in there. Overeating will cause your body to get too full and give you the sensation of being bloated and distended.
Eating too fast. Slow down and enjoy the bite! We all ingest some air when we talk, eat, or laugh. However, eating too fast increases the amount of air swallowed. This air travels to and remains in your belly until you burp it out or absorb it through your GI track. The air that enters the gastrointestinal tract can cause a range of symptoms.
Bloat Rich Foods. Foods that contain dairy, sugar alcohols, diet drinks, carbonated drinks and surprisingly foods high in fiber can cause that belly bloat. Some foods that we view as healthy or good for us like beans, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. are not always our best friends due to their high fiber content. Fiber is an indigestible carbohydrate. Abruptly increasing the amount of fiber you eat can cause gas, bloating, and constipation.
What can you do?
For those days when the bloat has got to go, check out our Drop the Bloat blend. This blend was carefully curated with the assistance of gastroenterology experts to help you restore balance to your digestive system. We carefully selected each individual herb in this blend to have you feeling more like you in no time! Each of our ingredients work in harmony to help reduce bloating. Check them out below.
Peppermint Leaf. Peppermint may be effective at helping out with gut issues like IBS, bloating and upset stomach. Peppermint is high in flavonoids. Flavonoids help to inhibit cells in the GI track called mast cells, which are known to cause many gut issues including diarrhea, bloating and indigestion.
Ginger Root. Ginger is a powerful herb used for various GI issues including nausea, abdominal pain and bloating. Ginger contains the compound gingerol, which has been proven to relieve bloating, gas, stomach cramps, and bowel movements. It is also a potent anti-inflammatory and helps soothe the GI tract.
Fennel Seed. Fennel has been traditionally used to treat various digestive disorders, from abdominal pain to bloating and constipation. It has a myriad of health-boosting benefits, one of which is producing more bile in the body. With the improved production of bile, more fats are broken down, especially from dairy products – one of the main culprits in bloating. Another bloating culprit is constipation. Fennel helps to relieve sluggish bowels to help you de-bloat
Chamomile Flowers. Chamomile is a classic kitchen staple renowned for its calming effects, but it also helps with bloating. Research shows that chamomile tea protects against diarrhea and stomach ulcers as it is anti-inflammatory. Traditional medicine has seen it used to treat indigestion, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and ulcers; its modern use is the same. Remember, chamomile flowers hold the most beneficial effects, not the root and not the stem.
Licorice Root. The ancient Greeks used licorice root as a remedy for digestive discomfort, acid reflux, and stomach ulcers. It has a cooling and soothing effect on our digestive system. It is a potent anti-inflammatory loaded with flavonoids. They help to treat conditions like heartburn and acid reflux. It is also a mild diuretic and aids in reducing water retention.
Ceylon Cinnamon Chips. Nothing adds spice to tea quite like cinnamon. As a natural antioxidant, it helps alleviate symptoms of bloating by reducing abdominal pressure. It encourages the passage of gas and lets you de-bloat.