Bloating Got You Down? Try These Foods

Bloating—it isn’t a pleasant problem to deal with, and according to statistics, from 10 – 30% of the populations suffers from this issue. It isn’t life threatening, but it can make it difficult to zip your jeans and can affect your mood and body image. The International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders lists these primary causes of bloating:

• Excess gas in the intestines
• An overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestines
• An imbalance of microorganisms in the bowel, often caused by taking antibiotics
• Food intolerances
• Increased perception and sensitivity to what is happening in the digestive tract
• An increased curvature in the low back, which decreases the abdomen’s capacity to told gas

Many times the problem is caused by the foods that we consume. However, there are other foods that help to improve the situation. If you suffer from bloating, consider these foods.

1. Water with Lemon

   Sometimes people avoid drinking fluids when they are bloated because they already feel too “full.” However, our bodies often retain water in an attempt to avoid dehydration. A better choice is to push fluids so that the body will lose its fear of dehydration and will release the excess fluid. Lemons are a natural diuretic, so they will boost the effect of the water. It is better to use this warm or room temperature rather than ice cold, as ice causes spasm in the digestive tract, but warm water relaxes.

2. Bananas

   The typical American diet is loaded with sodium and deficient in potassium. This excess of sodium is a cause of bloating. Bananas are rich in potassium which helps to reduce the negative effects of sodium (including high blood pressure). When bloating is caused by excess salt, a banana can help to bring your body back to balance.

3. Watermelon

   Watermelon is 92% water and is a natural diuretic. It also helps to balance the levels of sodium and potassium in the body.

4. Celery

   Celery contains chemicals which decrease fluid retention. It is especially good at regulating bowel movements and controlling intestinal gas.

5. Rosemary, Tumeric, Ginger, and Fennel

   These herbs and spices are all powerhouses when it comes to digestion. These can all be steeped with a cup of tea or included in many recipes. Another option is to combine any of them with some celery to make a broth to use in a soup or other recipe.

6. Beans and Lentils

   This one may seem counter-intuitive at first, because we think of beans as causing gastrointestinal distress. Many times, however, the cause of bloating can be due to taking in too much sodium and not getting enough potassium and fiber. Beans and lentils are high in both potassium and fiber. The best ones are lima beans, white beans and soybeans. (These are also good for relieving period-induced bloating.) The secret to using them is to eat them on a regular basis. If you aren’t used to putting them in your diet, add them slowly. This will give your body time to adjust to the potentially gas-producing compounds in them so that they don’t come back to haunt you.

7. Yogurt

   Be sure your yogurt contains active cultures. This will increase your levels of “good” bacteria in your digestive tract. The best choices are plain, non-far, or low-fat. If you want to sweeten it, add fresh fruit to avoid the high sugar content in the commercially-flavored yogurt.

8. Apple Cider Vinegar

   Apple cider vinegar stimulates production of gastric enzymes which break down foods so they can be more easily digested. If bloating is due to a bacterial infection, apple cider vinegar works as an antibiotic. It also helps to reduce water retention. While this one may not be the most pleasant tasting, it has many healthy benefits. One suggestion for taking this is to combine 1 tsp of apple cider vinegar with 1 tsp. of honey in a glass of warm water and drink approximately 30 minutes before eating a meal.

Some simple lifestyle changes can also help:

• Choose fresh foods over processed. This will drastically lower your sodium intake.
• Avoid alcohol, as it has a dehydrating effect on the body.
• Get enough sleep so your body can take care of itself.
• Get 30 minutes of physical activity per day in order to keep fluids moving in your body.

If you try these home remedies and find that they still do not take care of the problem, you may want to consider a Standard Process 21-Day Purification Program for a more thorough cleansing of your body. Call us at 864-963-9304 for more information.