Evexia Science Blog – Justin Bosley BSc Nutritional Science, BSc Chemistry – April 15, 2024
Fart Less, Live More: Tips for Reducing Gas and Bloating
After you eat, do you feel like you swallowed an air mattress? Your stomach is gurgling and growling, ready to unleash noxious fumes at any moment. It's happened before - the moment of gastrointestinal betrayal when your body rebels, subjecting innocent bystanders to the horrors within. But never fear, there are ways to tame the beast and restore peace to your insides. This article will explore simple tips to improve your gut health and reduce embarrassing gas and bloating. You may not achieve sainthood, but you can aim for basic human decency. We know it isn’t the most glamorous topic, but read on to discover how small changes can lead to good gut feelings all around.
The Causes of Excessive Gas and Bloating
Simple Sugars
Well, folks, the truth is your tummy troubles are likely self-inflicted. Those irresistible candies, cakes, and ice cream you’ve been packing away are packed with sugar that feeds the bacteria festering in your gut. The result? Enough hot air to fuel your backyard BBQ.
Your Bad Bacterial Overgrowth
That’s right, there’s a whole microbial mosh pit going on in your intestines. When the nasty bacteria get the upper hand, they have a gas-fuelled field day breaking down undigested food and the resultant hydrogen and methane are what’s puffing you up like a balloon.
You Talk Too Much
Your mama always told you not to talk with your mouth full, but did you listen? No, you insisted on yammering away during dinner, gulping in extra air with every bite. All that excess air has to go somewhere, so it heads straight down to your gut.
You’re a Slurper and a Straw-Sucker
If you drink carbonated soft drinks or you’re prone to slurping your drinks or sucking them up through a straw, you’re swallowing a bellyful of air. And that air is getting trapped, causing your midsection to inflate like a puffer fish.
Dietary Changes That Can Reduce Gas and Bloating
Let's face it, some foods just don't agree with our digestive systems. If you find yourself frequently feeling like an overinflated balloon, it may be time to make some dietary changes. The good news is with a few simple fixes like easing up on the gassy grub, improving your eating habits, and taking the right supplements, you’ll be back to your slender and graceful self in no time and enjoying meals without the musical accompaniment. Now that’s something worth tooting your horn about!
Increase Your Fiber Intake Slowly
Fiber is important for gut health, but too much of a good thing can lead to excess gas. Gradually increase your fiber intake and be sure to drink plenty of water to help the extra roughage move through your system. Some people find relief by switching to less gas-inducing sources, like whole grains over beans.
Careful with the Legumes
Speaking of beans, lentils, broccoli, and cabbage, limit these notorious gas-causers at first. The more you eat them, the more your digestive system will adapt and you won't produce as many noxious fumes.
Watch Your Lactose
Your gut bacteria will adjust over time, but take it slow. The same goes for dairy, if you're lactose intolerant. Try lactose-free options or non-dairy milk and yogurts.
The Right Supplements
Gut Reset, an herbal supplement from Evexia Science, contains berberine and silymarin, which can help improve gut health and ease bloating by potentially reducing gas-producing bacteria in the intestines. Use the code HealthyGut10 to get 10% off today!
Products like Beano also contain enzymes to help break down gas-causing compounds in certain foods.
While probiotics are great for gut health, some can initially cause excess gas and bloating. Start with a lower dose and build up slowly. The same goes for prebiotics like inulin - moderation is key.
Making a few simple diet changes can significantly reduce your gas and bloating, leaving you free to do more of the important things in life - like leaving the room without embarrassment after passing wind! Your gut and those around you will surely thank you.
Lifestyle Tips to Improve Digestion and Decrease Gas
Eat Slowly, Chew Thoroughly
When you wolf down your food like a ravenous beast, you end up swallowing a lot of air with every bite. All that extra air in your gut leads to gas and bloating. Slow down, chill out, and taste your food. Chew each bite 20-30 times to help break it down and release its nutrients. Your stomach will thank you.
Stay Hydrated
Being dehydrated slows down digestion and can lead to gas and constipation. Aim for 6-8 glasses of water per day to keep your gut happy. Other gut-friendly beverages include peppermint or ginger tea, which can double as a natural digestive aid. If plain water bores you, add some lemon or cucumber for extra flavor and hydration.
Electrolytes
Staying hydrated with plain water is important, but adding electrolytes can also help reduce bloating and aid digestion. Electrolytes like sodium, potassium, and magnesium help draw water into your gut and keep it hydrated. This hydration helps digestive enzymes work properly and also speeds up transit time, reducing gas and bloating.
Some easy ways to get more electrolytes:
Drink electrolyte beverages like coconut water or sports drinks in moderation. Start with a small amount and see how your body reacts.
Add a pinch of salt to your water. While salt gets a bad rap, the right amount can aid digestion. Just be sure not to overdo it.
Eat more potassium-rich foods like bananas, avocados, sweet potatoes, and leafy greens. These high-potassium plant foods also provide fiber to feed your gut bacteria. Drink potassium-rich fruit and vegetable juices such as carrot juice or orange juice.
Sprinkle some magnesium-rich foods into your diet like pumpkin seeds, almonds, spinach, and dark chocolate. Magnesium helps relax muscles throughout your digestive tract, easing gas and cramping.
Move That Body
Exercise helps stimulate bowel movements and improves digestion. Even taking a 30-minute walk can help get your gut moving. Yoga or Tai Chi are also great for reducing stress and relaxing your abdomen. Specific yoga poses like knees-to-chest, cat/cow, and twists can gently massage your intestines and release any pent-up gas. So get off the couch and go move around - your gut will thank you, and the people around you will too!
Frequently Asked Questions About Reducing Gas and Bloating
Do probiotics really help?
Probiotics are supposed to help by adding “good” bacteria to your gut, but whether or not they work depends on the person and the product. Some studies show probiotics may reduce gas and bloating for certain individuals, but for others, they do diddly squat. The good bacteria in most over-the-counter probiotics may not even take up residence in your gut due to all of the other bacteria in there taking up space. Our advice? If you want to make probiotics more effective then you should try using Gut Reset to help clear some of the space for the good bacteria to grow.
What about digestive enzymes? Do they reduce gas?
Digestive enzymes can help break down food so your gut doesn’t have to work as hard, which may lead to less gas overall. Look for a broad-spectrum enzyme formula containing proteases for protein, lipases for fat, and amylases for carbs. Enzymes won’t solve an underlying issue like SIBO or IBS, but they can provide relief from occasional gas and indigestion.
I’ve heard simethicone can reduce gas. Does it really work?
Simethicone products like Gas-X contain an anti-foaming agent that helps break up gas bubbles in your gut. For some people, simethicone does seem to provide relief from gas and make passing gas less uncomfortable. However, simethicone just treats the symptoms, it doesn’t actually reduce the amount of gas in your intestines or prevent gas formation. It also may not work for gas caused by certain foods or conditions like SIBO or IBS. Simethicone can be worth trying for occasional gas relief, but for chronic issues, you’ll need to address the underlying cause.
Are there any natural remedies that can help reduce gas?
Some natural remedies that may reduce gas include:
Peppermint or ginger tea: Both are soothing to the gut and have anti-gas properties.
Probiotic yogurt: Look for yogurt containing live active cultures like lactobacillus or bifidobacterium.
Fennel seeds: Chew on a teaspoon full of fennel seeds after meals to improve digestion and reduce gas.
Turmeric: Turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects and may help ease gas and bloating. Try turmeric supplements or adding turmeric to your meals like yellow curry.
Berberine and silymarin combined: These two herbs work in synergy to kill bad bacteria and may benefit those with digestive health issues by reducing bacteria in the intestines. This is the active ingredient formula that is found in Gut Reset.
Conclusion
So there you have it, folks. A few small tweaks to your diet and lifestyle can lead to big improvements in the wind farm situation. We know it's not the most glamorous topic, but a little less toot can mean a lot more spring in your step. This ain't no laughing matter - reducing gas and bloating can seriously enhance your quality of life. And your loved ones will thank you too. So take these tips to heart, stomach, and other affected areas. You've got the power to take control of your hot air supply. It's time to say "see ya" to excess fumes and start feeling - and smelling - like a whole new you. Now go forth and fart less my friends. Your body and your neighbor will thank you.
References
“Symptoms & Causes of Gas in the Digestive Tract - NIDDK,” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Accessed: Apr. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gas-digestive-tract/symptoms-causes
“Bloated Stomach: Causes, Tips to Reduce & When to be Concerned,” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed: Apr. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21740-bloated-stomach
“Practical tips to reduce bloating, belching and gas,” Mayo Clinic. Accessed: Apr. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/in-depth/gas-and-gas-pains/art-20044739
“What Is Intestinal Gas?,” Cleveland Clinic. Accessed: Apr. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/7314-gas-and-gas-pain
“Gas and gas pains-Gas and gas pains - Symptoms & causes,” Mayo Clinic. Accessed: Apr. 20, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gas-and-gas-pains/symptoms-causes/syc-20372709
