Stomach bloating can occur for numerous reasons, but the more you know about bloating and what causes it, the better you can be at preventing this highly uncomfortable feeling. Below you will find some interesting facts about bloating which can help you better understand what’s going on in your stomach and how to reduce bloating occurrence.
7 facts about stomach bloating
Healthy food can make you bloat: Just because your meal is healthy doesn’t mean it won’t lead to bloating. Vegetables, more specifically cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, can actually cause intense bloating. This is because our body lacks the enzyme to break down the carbohydrates found in these vegetables, leading to bloating and gas. But this doesn’t mean you should avoid these health foods. Instead, watch your intake, chew them as much as possible, and ensure you are drinking plenty of water when eating these veggies.
Sipping beverages through a straw can lead to bloating: Fizzy and carbonated beverages aren’t the only drinks that can cause bloating. In fact, drinking any beverage from a straw causes you to inhale and swallow excess air which leads to bloated stomach.
Hot water and lemon helps de-bloat: You are probably familiar with the health benefits of lemon water, but more specifically drinking hot water with some lemon can help you relieve bloating as it acts as a mild diuretic. It also revs up your metabolism and aids in digestion to keep things moving along.
Diet foods lead to more bloating: Those specific diet foods free of fat and sugar to make you skinny can actually contribute to bloating. This is because these foods contain sugar substitutes, which are hard for your digestive system to break down. Furthermore, these sugars can draw in water, increasing bloating.
All-day sitting increases the risk of bloating: Exercise and physical activity improve digestion, while sitting all day and being inactive can contribute to digestive woes, including bloating. The simple solution is, if you’re feeling bloated and constipated, get moving.
You don’t need to be lactose intolerant to become bloated after consuming dairy: Dairy products often trigger bloating, gas, constipation, and diarrhea. Even if you haven’t been formally diagnosed with lactose sensitivity, you may be part of those 65 percent of the population who have difficulties breaking down lactose. You can try avoiding dairy products and swapping them out for coconut or almond varieties, and see how you feel.
Your medications may cause bloating: If you started noticing puffiness ever since you started a new medication, your prescription may be the cause of your discomfort. Medications containing steroids cause water retention which leads to bloating.
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