Bloated stomach? Natural bloating relief drinks.

Bloating is one of the most prevalent gastrointestinal symptoms that people of all ages complain about. This symptom is quite common among individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and other functional gastrointestinal disorders. Those who have a bloated stomach frequently experience these symptoms; abdominal pressure, a feeling of fullness, discomfort, cramping, and sometimes nausea often because of excess intestinal gas. The good news is that there are natural ways to reduce bloating with basic ingredients that you may find in your kitchen pantry or garden.

What triggers bloating?

A bloated stomach can be caused by the following factors.

1. Gas buildup in the stomach and intestines. Swallowing air when chewing gum or eating could be one of the causes of this. (Avoid excessive talking while eating.) Consuming certain foods and drinks such as carbonated beverages and some legumes, such as beans.

2. Indigestion. This can be caused by overeating, drinking too much alcohol, using medications that can irritate your stomach, and so on.

3. Food allergies. This occurs when a person has difficulty digesting certain foods. Dairy, eggs, gluten, yeast, amines (produced by bacteria during food preservation and fermentation), and fructose are the most frequent types of food intolerances.

4. Hormones. Ladies, I’m not sure about you, but I used to have a bloated tummy throughout my ovulation period. I still do, but not every month because I’ve been learning my triggers and how to deal with bloating throughout this period. I’m aware that most women feel bloated prior to and during their menstrual period. Bloating is a common side effect of perimenopause’s hormonal changes.

Below are natural drinks to help you debloat. These drinks have been studied and it is safe to say they literally do aid with some relief.

Natural drinks to reduce bloating.

Why these drinks may be favorable for you.

• They are vegan-friendly.
• Easily accessible from the stores and market.
• Cost-friendly.
• Don’t require much time to prepare.

1. Water/ Infused water for alleviating bloating

I guess you might be wondering how does drinking water reduce bloating? Well, sometimes abdominal bloating can be a result of consuming foods high in salt. Sodium and chloride are the two components that make up table salt. The sodium in salt causes water retention which leads to a bloated stomach. Hydration is one method for flushing out extra salt in your body.

I understand that some people find it difficult to drink water, thus infused water may be a solution for them. Infused water is a flavorful combination of fruits, vegetables, and herbs added to regular water. The advantage of drinking infused water is that it adds nutritious value to your water. My favorite debloating-infused water contains cucumbers, mint leaves, oranges, lemon, and ginger.

Why does this work?

• The caffeic acid present in cucumbers helps to eliminate water retention in our bodies.
• The refreshing and cooling properties of mint assist to ease gas and discomfort in the stomach.
• Because oranges and lemons are classified as citrus fruits, they contain less sugar and are therefore more tolerable and less likely to cause gas.
• Ginger helps with indigestion which leads to bloating. Ginger stimulates the formation of bile, saliva, and other digestive fluids and chemicals that facilitate digestion.

How to make infused water for bloating.

Make sure you thoroughly wash your fruits and herbs to remove any dirt or pests. White vinegar works well for cleaning fruits, vegetables, and herbs. Simply slice your fruits and herbs and add them to your water (ideally cold water). While infusing can be done at normal room temperature for up to 2 hours, if done for longer than that, it should be refrigerated to prevent the growth of bacteria.

2. Green tea to help with bloating.

Green tea is marketed as a beverage or nutritional supplement for improving mental clarity, relieving headaches and gastrointestinal issues, and promoting weight loss. Polyphenols like flavanols sometimes referred to as catechins, are present in green tea.

Catechins, according to research, have a wide range of medicinal properties, including anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory qualities. Because tea catechins can be absorbed easily in the gastrointestinal tract and operate in unison to minimize the risk of sickness, drinking green tea is an efficient and effective technique for preventing gastrointestinal disorders. 

Best time to consume green tea.

Green tea contains caffeine so it is best to drink it during day time. Green tea’s polyphenols, which increase stomach acid, can make you feel nauseated if you drink it on an empty stomach, however, this is not a symptom for everyone. I personally drink green tea after having my lunch to aid with digestion.

Please consult with your doctor if you are pregnant/breastfeeding, have iron deficiency, anemia, or any liver issues before adding green tea to your diet.

3. Peppermint tea.

Peppermints have been utilized clinically for a number of years now. They are still utilized in numerous healthcare settings nowadays. The gastrointestinal tract is soothed by the antibacterial and antioxidant effects of peppermint.

The components found in peppermint leaves, from which peppermint oils are derived, encourage gastric emptying, which aids with digestion and relaxes the bowels. It has strong anti-vomiting properties since it reduces nausea and vomiting. Peppermints are well known for reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome due to their spasmolytic effects.

You can consume peppermint tea at any hour of the day because it has no caffeine. Perhaps as a post-meal beverage to aid with digestion in order to prevent bloating, as a calming drink before bed, or even as a warming beverage in the morning. In the stores, you can get peppermint tea in the form of tea bags or powder. You could also choose to grow them so you can brew your own tea with fresh leaves.

4. Lemon, ginger, and turmeric wellness shot.

Because it contains potent herbs, this wellness shot is my go-to drink for a bloated stomach. Let’s have a look at the benefits of each herb.

• Ginger for eliminating bloating? Yes! Gingerol, a naturally occurring component of the ginger root, helps bowel movement. Ginger increases efficient digestion, which means food doesn’t stay in the gut for a prolonged period, thus minimizing fermentation, other causes of abdominal discomfort, and intestinal gas.
• Lemon. As stated previously, lemon is a citric fruit, which means it contains acids that aid in the digestion of food.

If you have concerns with stomach acidity, such as ulcers, please talk to your doctor before introducing lemons to your diet.

• Turmeric. Curcumin, a component of turmeric, exhibits anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that aid in the treatment of digestive problems such as bloating.

This can be consumed at any time of day. Since our stomachs gradually empty during the course of the night, there may be an accumulation of stomach acid. I personally like to drink this first thing in the morning. By drinking this wellness shot first thing in the morning, I am able to restore my stomach PH balance and avoid having a bloated stomach after my meals.

5. Chamomile tea for bloating.

You would undoubtedly opt for chamomile tea to help you fall asleep, but did you know it can also relieve bloating? Chamomile is a relaxant that can improve both your mental and physical health. It also has antioxidants that are good for the gastrointestinal tract. Because of its relaxing effects, chamomile tea is best consumed before bedtime, but it can be enjoyed at any time because it does not contain caffeine.

 6. Celery juice.

People have employed medicinal plants like celery to treat common ailments since ancient times. Celery includes compounds such as kaempferol, apigenin, and tannin, among others, that have high antioxidant qualities that can help heal the digestive tract.

Although celery juice has medicinal properties, it does have certain disadvantages. It has a lot of fermentable carbohydrates, which might lead to bloating. If you have irritable bowel syndrome, check with your physician before including this in your diet.

7. Coconut water for bloating relief.

Coconut water contains electrolytes. In other words, coconut contains numerous minerals such as potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Potassium is a mineral that our systems require in order to control fluid levels in our cells. Coconut water’s potassium content aids in the elimination of excess sodium from the body caused by eating salty meals. Remember that eating too much salt increases water retention, leading to a bloated stomach

8. Watermelon juice.

It’s incredibly refreshing to simply eat watermelon on its own, especially in the summer. Potassium is abundant in watermelon and additionally possesses a high-water content. As previously discussed, potassium regulates the level of fluids present in our bodies and increases urine production to prevent water retention. In other words, watermelon’s potassium and water content are excellent antidotes for a bloated stomach.

How to make watermelon juice to relieve bloating.

You’ll need some carrots, ginger, watermelon, and your preferred sweetener. Put your ingredients in a juicer if you have one, then let the juicer do its thing. Put all of the ingredients in the blender’s container if you’re using one. To prevent overworking the blender, cut your ginger and carrots into little bits as well. After combining, strain and serve! Best served while chilled.

9. ACV with mother.

For some time, my mother had been ill. Every night, she would whine with complaints of bloating, nausea, and acid reflux. After seeing a doctor, she learned that she had low stomach acid levels. Due to its role in facilitating digestion, stomach acid is essential. In addition to prescribing her some medications, the doctor advised her to purchase ACV and incorporate it into her diet.

ACV is a great home remedy to increase stomach acid if you have low levels because of its high acidity level. Due to the fermenting process used in the formulation, ACV also includes probiotics (healthy microorganisms). These helpful bacteria aid in food digestion and are friendly to our digestive tracts. Getting a bloated stomach is quite unlikely when food is thoroughly digested.

ACV with mother is versatile because there are numerous uses for it. You may add it to water, make homemade pickles, or even use it as an ingredient in salad dressing. Please refrain from consuming Acv undiluted. Undiluted ACV might irritate your esophagus and destroy the enamel on your teeth.  Add 1-2 tablespoons of ACV to your glass of water. To gain additional benefits, feel free to squeeze some lemon and honey.

The bottom line.

Bloating can develop due to a variety of reasons. A well-balanced lifestyle that includes eating nutritious foods and drinks, moving your body regularly, learning what foods you are intolerant to, and finding better methods to deal with stress will help prevent bloating.

Please seek medical attention if you have tried any of the above drinks or made changes to your eating regimen and still have a persistent bloated stomach. There could be another underlying condition that requires treatment.