BYE-BYE BLOAT

IT’S A CONDITION THAT AFFECTS ONE IN FIVE OF US, SO WHY DON’T WE DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

That balloon-like feeling in your belly? There are ways to prevent it.

WHAT IS IT?

If you feel like you’ve swallowed a balloon, chances are you’re bloated. This occurs when your gastrointestinal tract is filled with air or gas. “Around 70 per cent of your immune system is located in your gut, so gut bacteria plays an important role,” explains nutritional scientist and gut expert Eileen Fisher. “If a normal digestive function is interrupted, good bacteria decreases and you end up with excess gas and an expanded abdomen.” You may notice that this is limited to one small area of your stomach, or more generalised throughout.

CARBONATED BEVERAGES

Bubbles in your drink mean bubbles in your belly, and if you don’t release these from your system (you know what we mean), you’ll end up bloated.

FOOD INTOLERANCE

According to the Mayo Clinic, if your bowel doesn’t empty properly – a common side effect of food intolerance – a fermentation process of undigested food begins in your digestive tract. Keep a diary of what you eat and when bloating occurs, and, if you think you might be intolerant to something, visit your GP.

FAST FOOD

When you eat your food too quickly, you swallow a lot of air and don’t chew thoroughly. This means larger food pieces sit in your gut for longer, waiting to be fully digested. So slow down. “Every meal should take at least 20 minutes to consume,” says nutritional therapist Judy Watson.

STRESS

As your body goes into fight-or-flight mode, it switches off the digestive enzymes and stomach acids your body uses to break down food. Drink a cup of green tea half an hour before you eat. It contains a brain-relaxing compound called theanine.

“Add more ginger

to your diet – it contains muscle-relaxant properties that can help soothe and relieve

trapped gas”