Many foods have been shown to help with bloating by promoting regularity, preventing fluid retention, and enhancing gut health.
Bloating is a
What you eat and drink can significantly affect bloating and other digestive issues.
Here are 20 foods and drinks that may help with bloating.
A wide range of fruits, vegetables, and low fat dairy products may help relieve bloating.
1. Avocados
Avocados are highly nutritious, packing a
They’re also rich in potassium. This mineral helps regulate fluid balance and sodium levels to prevent water retention, which may contribute to bloating.
They’re also high in fiber, which moves slowly through your digestive tract to support regularity and help prevent constipation and bloating.
2. Cucumber
Cucumbers are composed of about
Some research suggests that cucumbers may also help relieve symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), such as bloating, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
3. Yogurt
Yogurt is packed with probiotics, beneficial bacteria that play a key role in gut health.
Probiotics have
4. Berries
Berries like strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries contain various antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals that provide several health benefits.
According to a 2023 review, polyphenols found in fruits like berries may help relieve IBS symptoms like bloating due to their effects on gut health and inflammation.
Berries are also high in fiber, which may help relieve bloating by reducing intestinal gas and removing excess body water.
5. Celery
Celery is a nutritious veggie comprising about
Celery also contains mannitol, a type of sugar alcohol that softens stools to promote regularity by pulling water into the digestive tract. This may help relieve bloating and constipation.
Additionally, the root of the vegetable is considered a natural diuretic. This means it increases urine production to remove excess water and sodium from your body, which can help alleviate bloating.
6. Ginger
Ginger is a herb known for its ability to soothe digestive distress.
For example,
7. Bananas
Bananas are popular for their flavor, portability, and convenience.
They’re an excellent source of fiber, with
Additionally, they’re rich in potassium, a nutrient that supports a healthy fluid balance. This may help prevent water retention, which can contribute to bloating.
8. Papaya
Papaya is a type of tropical fruit known for its sweet flavor and smooth, creamy texture.
It contains an enzyme called papain, which helps your body break down amino acids. This encourages healthy digestion and may help keep bloating at bay.
It also
9. Asparagus
Asparagus is a great source of fiber, providing nearly
It also contains a good amount of inulin, a prebiotic fiber found in various foods.
10. Oats
Enjoying a bowl of oatmeal in the morning may help battle bloating.
A 1/2-cup serving contains
Consider choosing plain, steel-cut oats instead of types with added sugars.
11. Pineapple
Pineapple is a tropical fruit with
Pineapple also contains an enzyme called bromelain. This has long been used in traditional medicine to help treat digestive disorders and relieve symptoms like bloating, heartburn, and indigestion.
12. Turmeric
Turmeric is often used to brighten curries, soups, and side dishes.
It contains a compound called curcumin, which has been studied extensively for its anti-inflammatory effects.
Some
13. Quinoa
If you experience bloating after eating foods like pasta, crackers, and bread, switching to gluten-free grains like quinoa may be worth a try.
Consuming gluten-containing foods may cause digestive issues like bloating among people with gluten-related disorders like celiac disease and non-celiac gluten sensitivity.
Quinoa is also
14. Rhubarb
Rhubarb is a vegetable known for its vibrant edible stalks.
It contains a compound called sennoside, which inhibits water transport from the luminal to the vascular side of the colon,
It could also contribute to your fiber intake, with over
15. Kiwi
Kiwi is a popular fruit rich in several key nutrients, including fiber and potassium.
It also contains actinidin, an enzyme that may help improve digestion and speed up stomach emptying.
As such, kiwi may
16. Fennel
Fennel is known for its distinctive licorice-like flavor. Its seeds are a common digestive aid that may help relieve gastrointestinal symptoms like bloating, flatulence, and indigestion.
Fennel seeds may possess antispasmodic properties that could help relax the muscles in your intestinal tract to provide relief from gas and bloating.
Some drinks may help soothe bloating.
17. Green tea
Green tea is brimming with antioxidants like epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which can neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce inflammation.
Research suggests that green tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties may also help relieve inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms like bloating.
It also contains caffeine, which stimulates digestive tract movement and acts as a natural laxative to support regularity.
18. Peppermint tea
Peppermint tea is a herbal tea widely used to treat a range of digestive conditions.
Peppermint oil, in particular, has been shown to decrease inflammation and treat symptoms of IBS like stomach pain, constipation, and bloating.
Plus, it
That said, more research is needed to confirm whether the benefits of peppermint oil also apply to peppermint tea.
19. Kombucha
Kombucha is a fermented beverage typically made from black or green tea.
Like other fermented foods, it’s rich in probiotics and can promote gut health and regularity.
A 2023 study in 40 females found that participants who drank 220 milliliters (mL) of a kombucha-based beverage experienced improvements in constipation and bloating after 10 days compared to participants who only drank water.
That said, kombucha is a carbonated beverage, so drinking too much may cause digestive distress like bloating.
Many kombucha are also high in sugar, which may counteract the probiotic effects in high quantities. Consider buying kombucha with no added sugars or making your own to control how much sugar there is.
20. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk product known for its high probiotic content and benefits for gut health and the immune system.
A 2018 study in people with IBD found that drinking 400 mL of kefir daily for 4 weeks helped significantly reduce bloating while increasing quality.
Certain foods and beverages can contribute to bloating, especially for those with food sensitivities.
Consider limiting the following foods and drinks to help reduce symptoms of gas and abdominal discomfort:
- carbonated drinks, such as soda and beer
- legumes and beans
- cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage
- onions and garlic
- nuts, such as cashews and pistachios
- whole grains
- dairy products, especially if you have lactose intolerance
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In addition to incorporating some of these foods and drinks into your daily diet, consider the following strategies to help prevent bloating:
- get regular exercise
- eat and chew slowly
- limit drinking from a straw
- eat smaller meals more frequently
- rub your stomach
Consider using a food journal to note down the foods and drinks you consume and when you experience bloating. This could help you identify any triggers.
Lastly, you may want to speak with a doctor to determine whether you have any food sensitivities or other underlying conditions that could contribute to bloating, such as IBS.
Many foods and drinks may help decrease bloating by reducing intestinal gas, relieving constipation, alleviating inflammation, and supporting a healthy fluid balance.
Chewing your food thoroughly, taking certain supplements, and determining whether certain ingredients contribute to your digestive issues may also help relieve bloating.
If your symptoms are serious or persist, consider speaking with a doctor for personalized recommendations and treatment.