Stomach bloat has unfortunately become a normal part of life. There's nothing worse than feeling
bloated, especially for unexplainable reasons. If you exercise regularly, stick to a healthy
diet and still experience regular bloating, then it’s time you look at what you’re drinking. This
is because drinks may be the real bloat inducing culprit. Hi viewers and welcome back to Bestie!
Bloating is when your belly feels swollen or enlarged after eating.
There are certain nutrients found in food and drinks that our bodies have trouble breaking down.
These short-chain carbohydrates can't be digested by the small intestine,
so instead, they end up in the large intestine.
Here, they're fermented by bacteria. This fermentation process results in gas and bloating.
Although bloating may be a symptom of a serious medical condition,
it is usually caused by something you’re eating or drinking. And in today’s video,
we will tell you about drinks that cause gas and bloating. From coffee, energy drinks, seltzer,
milk to protein shakes and more, watch till the end to learn about all of them.
Some Types Of Teas: Although not all teas cause bloating, there is a small chance that some people
may experience abdominal difficulties. This can be due to the caffeine. Teas that contain artificial
sweeteners, such as sorbitol or mannitol, may also cause gas, leading to bloating.
Additionally, very hot drinks can have the same effect. If this unpleasant condition occurs every
time you drink tea, you could have a sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients. Try switching
to another type of tea that is more suitable for you. Even herbal teas can cause bloating and other
painful abdominal symptoms. This happens because some of them contain nontraditional ingredients.
What’s your favourite type of tea? Is it green? Black?
Or something else? Tell us quickly down below in the comments section!
Watermelon juice: It’s hard to believe that watermelon juice could do anything to your body,
considering it's mostly water. But it contains plenty of fructose, a natural sugar that gives
the fruit its sweetness. Many people are unable to absorb fructose, which is why it causes bloating.
Apple Juice: Apples contain a naturally occurring, but widely indigestible sugar called sorbitol.
It has been linked to diarrhea, gas, and bloating. Some apple juice may also be
artificially sweetened with chemical sorbitol, which the intestine still has trouble absorbing.
Additionally, apples are high in fiber, which when pressed or concentrated, may cause problems. It
can cause loose stool for some individuals whereas others may not notice a difference whatsoever.
Drinks With High Sodium: Salt is one of the worst offenders when it comes
to bloating, and drinks like V8 or any vegetable juice are brimming with it.
When you drink too much salt, you retain water. And when you retain water, you bloat.
Another drink high in sodium is store-bought broths and soups.
Make sure to buy low-sodium or no-sodium broth and add the salt yourself.
Use a pink Himalayan salt or sea salt instead of table salt in your broths and soups.
Store Bought Fruit Juice: While fresh-pressed juice made at home
can be a great source of fruits and vegetables,
store-bought fruit juice, especially from concentrate, is incredibly high in sugar.
Juicing can be a healthy alternative, but buying drinks in the store, like
orange juice, can cause bloating. This is due to the fact that some people
struggle to absorb and process specific sugars, which leads to belly bloat.
Beer: You must have probably heard the term beer belly before. It refers not only to increased
belly fat, but also to the bloating caused by drinking beer. Beer is a carbonated beverage
made of fermentable carbs like barley, maize, wheat and rice, along with some yeast and water.
So, it contains both gas and fermentable carbs,
two well-known causes of bloating. The grains used to brew it also often contain
gluten. As an alternative to beer, water is always the best beverage. But if you are
looking for alcoholic alternatives then red wine, white wine or spirits may cause less bloating.
Coffee: Does your morning cup of brew bother your bowels?
Coffee can be a major cause of bloat. It encourages colon movement. This is
because it stimulates gastric acid secretion, potentially leading to indigestion and reflux.
Additionally, it’s known for causing stress hormones to go into overdrive.
Your body already produces cortisol naturally when you wake up in the morning. So if you are
an avid coffee drinker, have a glass of water first thing and wait an hour prior to your
morning caffeine fix. Allowing your body to wake up naturally will help you balance your hormones.
Coffee may also intensify symptoms of bowel conditions like gastritis,
irritable bowel disorder, colitis, and Crohn's disease. If you've been feeling stomach pain
after your morning cup of java, try replacing it with herbal tea, matcha, or lemon water.
Turns out your degree of caffeine sensitivity is linked to your genetic make-up. So,
if your cup of joe bloats your belly, you can blame your DNA.
Milk: Lactose intolerance happens when people are deficient in lactase, an enzyme that breaks down
the sugar in milk. So when lactose travels through your digestive system without being broken down,
it pulls water from your gut, which causes gas, bloating, and painful discomfort.
The more lactose there is in certain types of milk, the harder it can be
for those who are lactose intolerant to digest. If you are sensitive to lactose,
supplementing with a digestive enzyme is essential to avoid indigestion and upset stomach.
It gives you the sufficient lactase enzymes you need to digest the lactose.
If you aren't lactose intolerant, the issue might be casein,
a protein found in milk that has also been linked to an intolerance causing gas and bloating.
You should also be wary of milk alternatives like almond and coconut milk as they may contain an
additive called carrageenan, which is a seaweed extract. Although it’s FDA-approved,
it could aggravate intestinal problems. So you may want to avoid these if they upset your stomach.
Seltzer: Swell up like a balloon every time you sip on seltzer? The fun, fizzy bubbles
may be to blame for your bloating. The same goes for spiked seltzer,
which can cause even more stress on your stomach. In addition to the bloat-inducing bubbles,
alcohol can trigger inflammation in your gut, which can lead to bloating or gas.
What's more, booze can alter the composition and function of intestinal microbiota,
as per a study. This is especially problematic since the bacteria
in your belly play an important role in your overall gut health.
Some people may be sensitive to the ingredients in alcohol as well,
like corn in vodka, which can further create a tumultuous situation for your tummy.
Protein Shakes: If protein shakes turn your tummy into a pufferfish, you might be reacting
to the whey. It’s a common ingredient in protein powder that's a byproduct of milk.
So, if you're lactose intolerant, pick plant-based, dairy-free protein products instead.
Another culprit of gas cramps and bloat could be the sugar
substitutes in your shake. Sugar alcohols — which are often used to
sweeten protein powders — may lead to diarrhea, excessive gas and bloating.
You don't have to rely on protein shakes to fulfil your daily protein requirements.
The best way to do it is by eating the right foods. To know what they are,
watch this video titled “20 Foods High In Protein That You Should Be Eating”
Now, back to drinks that cause gas and bloating.
Diet Drinks: The word diet, that is attributed to diet drinks can be rather misleading and may
cause more harm than good. Diet sodas may not have calories but they do contain artificial
sweeteners. These can cause water retention, also known as bloating and upset stomach.
Artificial sweeteners like sucralose, aspartame, and cyclamate have been linked to digestive
issues. They may even increase appetite, which could lead to more stomach issues.
Anything With a Straw: Any drink can turn into a cause of bloat if you use a straw.
Doing so means you're sucking air into your stomach that you wouldn't if you just sipped
from the top of the cup. Plus, straws are a huge pollutant ruining our ecosystems,
so if nothing else, you're helping the environment by skipping the straw.
Carbonated beverages: Carbonated beverages, including sodas, have carbon dioxide gas
in them to create the bubbles. This gas goes directly to the digestive tract,
where it can cause bloating. The over-consumption of these beverages can also cause other health
issues. A study found that sodas increase the risk of diabetes and contribute to obesity.
Alternatives that are more healthful and will not cause bloating include
plain or flavored water, fresh fruit and vegetable juices and water with fresh juice,
lemon, or lime. Choosing these healthier options can help with bloating and weight loss. However,
make sure that substitute beverages do not contain large qu antities of sugar.
Energy Drinks: Energy drinks are filled with glucuronolactone,
a substance used in the Vietnam War to boost the morale of the American troops.
They also contain caffeine and taurine, both of which are directly linked to stomach bloating.
Taurine can be found in the intestines as well. Inadequate amounts of dietary
taurine can lead to weak bile and poor digestion of fatty foods.
This travels down into the large intestine and eventually causes problems
such as lower abdominal bloating, cramping and tenderness, as well as diarrhea or loose stool.
While avoiding these drinks can definitely cut down on gas and bloating,
there are other reasons for this problem. Learn more about them by:
Watching: 11 Popular Foods That Can Round Out Your Belly Like a Balloon
Or
Learning about The Causes Of Your Bloated Stomach
These 2 videos will definitely help you better understand and avoid
things that cause gas and bloating. So, do give at least one of them a watch.
What’s a drink that causes you to bloat? Let us know in the comments section below!