What helps against bloating?

Air in the stomach, often accompanied by pinching and even painful cramps - this is the bloated stomach, known in technical language as meteorism. The phenomenon, which occurs particularly immediately after meals or even during them, can reflect different causes. If you want to do something about your bloated stomach, you first have to get to the bottom of it. Only then does phase 2 follow - the active fight against the bloated stomach.

A bloated stomach is a symptom of flatulence . These lead to an increased accumulation of gas in the abdominal cavity . It is normal, to a certain extent, for the digestive tract to produce these gases. This happens, for example, because we swallow more air.

However, if the stomach bulges regularly and pain occurs, this is associated with corresponding suffering for those affected. In this case, make sure you know the causes, also to rule out serious ones.

Also pay attention to possible other symptoms, such as:

• fatigue
• Headache
• nausea or
• Diarrhea.

There may be a connection between these complaints. It is also crucial whether flatulence allows the gases to be released from the body or whether they (initially) remain in the abdominal cavity. The latter potentially indicates more serious causes .

Reactions to certain foods and food intolerances are often possible causes of a bloated stomach. Certain vegetables such as onions, carrots or cauliflower, legumes or dried fruits are among the classic causes of flatulence. When it comes to these foods, it usually depends on how much you eat, in what combination and at what pace.

However, there are also so-called malabsorption disorders, i.e. cases in which your body always reacts to certain food components. What happens here is the following: Normally, the small intestine in your digestive tract regulates the further processing of your food that has been pre-digested in your stomach. If there is a disorder, unabsorbed food components end up in the large intestine.

This reacts to the unusual challenge with increased gas formation. Ergo: Your stomach will bloat and you may feel pain. In addition to a bloated stomach, such a disorder also has the negative side effect that your body cannot properly utilize certain food components.

If you've never heard of the word absorption disorders, the popular representatives will definitely tell you something.

This includes:

• Fructose intolerance
• Lactose intolerance
• Histamine intolerance
• Wheat or gluten sensitivity
• Celiac disease ( gluten intolerance )
• Intolerance to FODMAPs , which are certain carbohydrates and sugar alcohols
• Soy intolerance

Disorders like these can develop gradually, but can also occur as a sudden food intolerance . Or apparently suddenly, when symptoms are initially absent.

A disturbed intestinal flora , for example due to an incorrect or unhealthy diet, can cause flatulence. The digestive system may also struggle with certain diseases. The so-called irritable stomach and irritable bowel syndrome are also among the causes of the bloated stomach.

An irritable stomach is a digestive disorder in the upper abdomen . In addition to flatulence, this creates unpleasant pressure in the upper abdomen . There are also other symptoms such as nausea, bloating and heartburn.

Irritable bowel syndrome is also a digestive disorder or disease of the digestive tract. In addition to a bloated stomach, it plagues those affected with symptoms such as constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain .

Another candidate for causing bloated stomach is the so-called fatty liver. It is a gradually developing disease. The organ stores more fats than it can release. Here too, the bloated stomach is one of several symptoms , such as fatigue or loss of appetite. Feelings of fullness, tiredness, nausea or unpleasant right-sided pressure in the upper abdomen are also possible.

A bloated stomach is also an unpleasant side effect of gastrointestinal infections or the gastrointestinal flu . Diseases in the digestive tract can also trigger sudden food intolerance . A bloated stomach develops over a longer period of time.

What helps against flatulence? This question concerns us not only because of purely physical reasons. Psychological stress is also a possible cause. Because this activates our central nervous system. The nerve cells in our intestinal wall react to the stress hormones released as a result. The psyche ultimately influences the digestive process .

There is often a different interaction between psychological and physical factors. A classic example is when we don't take enough time to eat in a stressful everyday life or we neglect a healthy diet.

What helps against bloating? Thorough research into the causes will show you possible solutions. If you have a regularly bloated stomach, you have the option of first testing for yourself what helps you. This is possible, for example, with food, especially if you already have a certain suspicion. However, if you do not achieve the desired success, your path should lead you to a medical examination.

If certain foods cause you problems or you have a food intolerance, it will of course help to adjust your nutrition plan accordingly. This also applies if a certain diet promotes a bloated stomach, for example in the case of protein flatulence . In some cases it just helps to gradually work out what works for you and what doesn't.

For example, if dairy products bother you, try an alternative to cow's milk and other corresponding products. Fortunately, there are now plenty of vegan alternatives that can be used to replace things like yogurt or milk.

At Greenforce we also support you with suitable products to replace animal products such as meat . If you have protein bloating, it's also worth finding out whether plant-based alternatives work better for you. In terms of tolerability , products based on oats, for example, are a good option to replace products such as milk .

Many people would like to avoid artificial substances when it comes to an antidote for flatulence. In fact, there are some home remedies or medicinal plants that can potentially relieve a bloated stomach . For example, they can be processed as spices or consumed as tea.

The following selection may help you:

• fennel
• anise
• Caraway seeds
• chamomile
• sage
• Ginger
• Parsley
• coriander
• rosemary
• Cinnamon
• juniper
• peppermint
• Lemon balm
• Lovage
• yarrow

In addition to helpers from the plant world , abdominal massages or heat , for example, will also help you alleviate your symptoms. Abdominal massages, performed in a clockwise circle around the belly button, stimulate blood circulation in the intestines. This has a relaxing effect. Heat, for example in the form of a hot water bottle or a cherry stone pillow, also helps the intestines to relax.

Exercise and sport are not so much a home remedy, but rather an everyday habit as an antidote . Regular short walks make a valuable contribution to getting your digestion going. The famous digestive walk is no coincidence.

Don't worry, you don't have to become a fitness freak when it comes to sport. There are many options available to you to work on your endurance, strength and flexibility and ultimately support your digestive system .

What helps against flatulence and as quickly as possible? Here we come back to the topic of home remedies. Because these represent a promising option when it comes to a fast-acting antidote. They can also be used preventatively, for example immediately before meals.

An antidote that tends to be effective is aloe vera juice . A daily dose of 20 milliliters helps to stimulate digestion and thus also combat flatulence and abdominal pain . However, you should be careful here. Unfortunately, there is a risk of getting diarrhea from taking it. Accordingly, this home remedy does not help everyone. If you have problems, try halving the dose first and skip the juice entirely if the symptoms continue.

Another possible antidote is also part of the topic of nutrition and household use elsewhere - apple cider vinegar . It also regularly appears in recipes and recommendations when it comes to vegan alternatives. For example, if the intestines are a little out of balance due to a corresponding change in diet, apple cider vinegar helps to restore this.

A bloated stomach is a nuisance, but there are some possible remedies for it. It is crucial that you first determine the causes in order to take targeted countermeasures. In particular, if you notice any further symptoms, you should seek medical advice and have yourself examined.

This also ensures you an antidote or therapy as quickly as possible, without you having to experiment for a long time. It also helps to see what adjustments you can possibly make in relation to your lifestyle. Diet and exercise habits as well as psychological factors are good approaches for this. Of course, it is also important to take potential illnesses into account.

In any case, the bloated stomach is a good reason for a healthier lifestyle . We at Greenforce will support you. With us you will find a diverse range of products, from alternatives to cow's milk to various options for replacing fish and meat. Even if you suffer from soy intolerance, you will find products from us that can do without it.