Bloating and gas pains can be really uncomfortable and embarrassing. These are natural reactions and are usually caused by the breakdown of food or swallowed air through digestion. A person can experience bloating and gas just occasionally or repeatedly in one day.
Causes of Bloating
Bloating can be associated with:
- Eating gassy foods or consuming carbonated drinks;
- Eating fatty foods that can delay abdominal emptying and make you feel unpleasantly full;
- Drinking through a straw, eating too quickly, sucking on candies, or chewing gum resulting in swallowing air;
- Smoking;
- Stress or anxiety;
- A gastrointestinal disease, blockage or infection;
- Disorders such as lactose intolerance or celiac disease, or
- Irritable bowel syndrome (a disorder characterized by cramping, stomach pain, and changes in bowel function).
The Most Effective Ways to Get Rid of Bloating Naturally
Bloating and intestinal gas can be uncomfortable in many ways and occasions. Because there are numerous causes of bloating, there are many ways to treat it. You can usually find great relief with some effective natural remedies. Here are the right ones:
Herbal Tea
- Ginger
Ginger tea can prevent and treat gas and bloat inside the stomach. Consume 2-3 times a day when you feel bloated. The results will be visible just after the first cup. Chewing a piece of ginger can be also helpful if you are not able to prepare ginger tea, or you simply don’t want the taste of tea. You can also add some ground ginger to your food.
- Peppermint Tea
It contains menthol that has an antispasmodic effect on the digestive tract, and can help soothe nerves. This classifies it as one of the best natural remedies for bloating and gas pain. Drink a cup of peppermint tea each time when you feel bloated. If you still experience gas pain after the first cup of peppermint tea, consume one more cup of tea throughout the day.
- Chamomile Tea
Chamomile has antispasmodic, relaxing, and anti-inflammatory properties and works incredibly well to relieve gas and heartburn. Drink a cup of chamomile tea 2-3 times a day. It will calm your stomach and relieve the pain.
Other liquids
- Warm Water
You need to use water to make other remedies work. However, warm water can help cure bloating problems on its own. Consuming warm water is one fine way of removing all the toxins from your body that may be overloading the digestive system. Just drink 4-5 glasses of warm water a day, especially after meals.
- Lemon and Baking Soda
This is one of the greatest home remedies for bloating and intestinal gas and you will notice the positive effects in within 20-25 minutes of using it. The combination of lemon and baking soda will produce carbon dioxide that helps with digestion.
Simply take 1/2 glass of water and add 1 teaspoon of baking soda in it. Next, squeeze a lemon into this mixture and mix well. Add a little bit more water to the mixture once you notice that the “fizz” is no longer there.
- Apple Cider Vinegar
Using apple cider vinegar will help you relieve both indigestion and gas. You can make a mixture by applying 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar and 1 teaspoon of honey in a cup of water. Consume this solution 2-3 a day for best effects.
- Greek Yogurt and Buttermilk
Probiotics can also help aid in digestion and reduce bloating and gas. They are live microorganisms, mostly “good” bacteria. There are numerous foods who have natural probiotics, but in a case of bloating and gas, you should consume more liquids so yogurt and buttermilk are certainly the best probiotic choices.
Ingredients from Your Kitchen
- Garlic
Garlic has powerful healing properties and works wonders to stimulate the gastric system. You can use garlic as a main ingredient to prepare yourself a soup, or just boil some ground garlic in water for 2 minutes and add a pinch of grounded black pepper. Drink it when cooled off.
- Carom Seeds
Carom seeds are one of the oldest traditional home remedies for gas and can cure indigestion as well. Actually, you can use the carom herb to get rid of any abdominal pain whatsoever. The simplest way to use this remedy is to eat 7-8 carom seeds a day. You can consume them as a snack with a pinch of salt. Drink a glass of water afterwards to get immediate relief.
- Black Pepper
Black pepper is a great home remedy for gas. It heals indigestion and acidity by discharging hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
Take dried mint leaves, ginger powder, coriander and black pepper seeds in equal amounts, grind them all together in order to make a mixture. Consume 1 teaspoon 2 times a day to get rid of the gastric irritation.
Avoid Gas-producing foods
In order to reduce bloating, it can help to reduce or avoid the amounts of gas-producing foods you consume. Many carbohydrates cause gas and the following foods are the most common culprits:
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Cabbage
- Chewing gum
- Carbonated beverages
- Certain fruits, as peaches, pears, and apples
- Hard candies
- Milk and cheese
- Lettuce
- Onion
- Sugar-free foods
- Whole-grain foods
Conclusion:
Although everybody experiences bloating and gas, some people are troubled by it more than others. Many times, bloating and gas can become pretty uncomfortable and even painful. Some simple dietary changes can help provide gas relief and improve digestion. In addition to OTC gas relief medications, natural remedies may double as home gas relievers.