- Constipation
- Celiac Disease
- Bacteria Overgrowth
- Food Allergies/Intolerances
- Thyroid Disorders
- Hormone Imbalances
These above listed issues can all be causes of bloating occurring in an individual. It is not an exhaustive list, but points to a number of reasons why we see discomfort and can lead us onto a path of helping. Because, when bloating occurs in the body, that is not all it is. It is just the present sign to the individual, noting that there are more issues happening under the surface.
When we see bloating happening on a regular basis, it could be telling us that the person is experiencing insufficient or inadequate stomach acid or digestive enzyme secretion, a sensitivity to certain foods, not fully chewing or “masticating” their food, or another reason that their food is not fully breaking down. That is the big issue at hand: not fully breaking down food, leading to not fully absorbing that food.
If our food is not fully absorbed into the body, how will we reap the benefits from those foods?
In comes some small steps to work toward a solution! The first step is big and obvious, but adequate hydration is necessary in aiding the digestive process. Followed by regular movement, and getting plenty of natural sources of fiber each day. Below is a more reader friendly version, with some added recommendations:
- Hydrate regularly
- Take walks and find some gentle movement after eating
- Ginger tea post-meal
- Chew enough, and chew slowly
- Add fiber
- Try bitter foods – spices, radish, dandelion greens, pickled foods, bitters (gentian root)
Going further, some herbs that are incredibly helpful for digestion and bloating are peppermint, fennel, cardamom. I can go deeper into these digestive herbs in the next post. Try these tips and let me know if they helped!
