Bloating is an uncomfortable and often painful experience caused by gas getting trapped in the small intestine, or from water retention. This leads to a sore stomach and distended belly. It often goes mis- or un-diagnosed, but there are healthy bloating remedies that can help you deal with the discomfort.
Try these simple tips to deflate:
Eat a banana
Potassium-rich foods such as bananas, asparagus, tomatoes, spinach and nuts contain an amino acid that helps to flush excess liquid out of your system. Although this isn’t an immediate cure, the change in diet will help to minimise bloating and possibly eradicate it completely.
Have some tea
Peppermint tea, to be exact. Peppermint has been shown to relax the muscles in the gut, so gas can pass. Always have a box of peppermint tea on hand so when you start to feel that pressure, you can brew a warm cup of tea that you know will leave you feeling better. It will also help with the next bloating remedy…
Relax
The more you worry and stress about bloating, the worse it is going to get. As you get wound up, your heart rate rises, your blood pressure increases and your muscles tighten. This is exactly what you don’t want to happen. Try to relax and de-stress through meditation, deep-breathing, listening to music, going for a gentle walk or jog, or whatever you usually do to unwind.
Apply pressure
Although it sounds odd, trying to physically push the gas out can be quite effective. Place your fingers near your right hip then slide them up towards your ribs, across the front of your stomach then down close to your colon. Keep massaging in a circular motion to encourage the built up gas to pass.
Although bloating can be an embarrassing condition to have, it is fairly easy to fix with simple bloating remedies that alleviate the discomfort and help you control the symptoms in discreet way.