10 Ways to Handle Bloating Quick!

The research we’ve done on the subject of bloating is extensive, to say the least. Why? Not only is it a problem that ails most of us at some point or another, but also there is so much (often conflicting) information promising cure-all solutions. If you’re experiencing severe bloating, the first stop you should make is to your doctor’s office. But if you have consulted your doctor and it does seem like an issue that can be helped naturally and through diet and supplements, we’re here to give you all the information you need to move forward.

Below, find 10 of the most effective, natural ways to handle bloating!

1. Take MCT Oil

Medium-chain triglycerides (MCT, for short) are a unique form of fat that requires less energy and fewer enzymes to be digested. As a result, they are readily available sources of energy, leading to an increase in metabolism and providing quick energy replenishment. The best way to take them orally (they’re easy to ingest) is by mixing the oil into beverages, such as coffee or smoothies. (It’s important to note, however, that you should start slow and see how your body reacts to the oil as taking too much can cause digestive issues.)

2. Consume More Spices

Spices may be the key to finally getting rid of bloating. You might be bloated because of indigestion or gastrointestinal distress. Cayenne pepper, a type of capsicum annuum, stimulates digestion, eases gas, and can relieve pressure and cramping. It’s basically a bloated belly’s most formidable match when you’re in a bind, so toss a teaspoon into your drink of choice. And like cayenne pepper, turmeric is a detoxifying spice as well. You can buy it in powder form, but you can also get drops of turmeric and add a teaspoon (in either form) to water, tea, juice, or a smoothie.

Think of spices as a “nature’s pharmacy,” extolling their many healing properties. Turmeric is highly anti-inflammatory and can help mediate the immune system. The active constituents of black pepper and spicy peppers enhance the bioavailability and absorption of these other spices. They all work in tandem with each other, which is why it’s so important to consume a wide and varied diet consisting of many colors.

3. Try Apple Cider Vinegar Shots

Apple cider vinegar is the ultimate beauty multitasker. Women who frequently gain weight in the abdominal and stomach area do so because of digestion issues, hormonal balance, and bloating. This supertonic balances healthy bacteria in the gut, promoting better digestion, balancing pH levels in the body, and killing any viruses and unwanted bacteria. ACV helps increase stomach acid (which improves digestion) and aids your body’s absorption of key nutrients from food. Try mixing one tablespoon of ACV with eight ounces of water, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drop of stevia to taste.

4. Try Probiotics

Studies have shown certain (but not necessarily all) probiotic strains can help relieve symptoms of bloating. These probiotics (specifically Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis) can help with gassiness. True probiotics (aka the good bacteria in our digestive system) can help support a healthy gut, which in turn should alleviate bloat.

When shopping for probiotics for bloating, look for a high-quality, clinically studied probiotic supplement containing a few strains of both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These strains are freeze-dried, which helps preserve bacterial activity and ensures the survival of bacteria during storage. (It’s important to note that the potency and survivability of probiotic supplements is a common talking point—and is highly debated—within the health and wellness industry.)

5. Eat More Fermented Foods

A happy gut is a happy life. The bacteria in your gut can affect your metabolism. Along with taking a daily probiotic, adding in foods that naturally contain probiotics like sauerkraut, kimchi, or bone broth. Even eating sauerkraut by the spoonful if belly bloat is an issue for you can help. (Another side effect of taking probiotics? Glowing skin.)

Not only are fermented foods living, super bioavailable, and diverse strains of probiotics—they are also an incredible way to preserve vegetables and be able to consume them year-round. Fermentation allows us to preserve foods safely and effectively, oftentimes making those foods exponentially more nutritious than in their freshest state!

6. Avoid Triggering Foods, Like Dairy

Ditching dairy can have serious effects on your overall health. Traditional Chinese medicine deems dairy, processed foods, and refined flour and sugar harmful as well as wheat, coffee, alcohol, fried foods, cold drinks, fruit juice, and cold, raw foods. That’s not to say you have to give up those specific foods to relieve your own bloat. Instead, try to single out which foods cause the most immediate bloating and be more mindful about avoiding them. If you’d like to be thorough, jot down the aforementioned foods and try to cut them out separately for a week at a time. Keep a journal of how you’re feeling and evaluate afterward. That way, you can tell which foods work for your specific body and which are a part of the problem.

7. Take Fiber (In Small Doses)

Experts agree that introducing fiber to your diet can transform your health, but it’s a double-edged sword in that too much can actually backfire. So while fiber intake is important for healthy digestion, changing your diet from zero to 100 where fiber is concerned can cause bloating instead of relieving it.

To combat bloating, aim for 20 to 25 grams of fiber per day and drink a lot of water.

8. Add Ginger and Lemon to Your Water

Ginger is great for de-bloating, whether you make ginger tea or have fresh juice with ginger or a smoothie in which you include ginger. A further benefit is relief from menstrual cramps that cause bloating.

9. Exercise for 20 Minutes a Day

A research review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology found gas retention was lower in individuals who engaged in physical activity —thus, exercise (even mild movement like walking or stretching) can help with abdominal bloating.

10. Get a Massage

You heard that right. Massage therapy is a wonderful way of purging your body of toxins, loosening tense muscles, and helping to relieve boating with special abdominal massage techniques that are well worth the additional benefits of a professional massage!

Call Botanica Day Spa today to book your massage appointment and following any of these 10 tips will help get rid of your bloating in no time!

Love,

Gen