Bloating in the abdomen — as well as the feeling of fullness and even bloating — is usually caused by gas produced by the bacteria in the gut during the digestive process. To reduce discomfort, we need to be mindful of the foods and drinks we consume that can be causing the problem.
I’ve already shown some foods that cause bloating here. Today I will focus on drinks that can cause discomfort:
Soft drinks It doesn’t matter what type it is (regular, null, light). The tiny bubbles of carbonation can lead to more gas and bloating. Zero or diet sodas are a double problem for your tummy as they often contain artificial sweeteners that affect your gut health as they are not digested well and can cause diarrhea, bloating, bloating and diarrhea.
milk drinks Milk is good for the body. But for some, it can have gastrointestinal consequences. Dairy products cause bloating and bloating in people who are lactose intolerant, and that’s because these people can’t properly digest the sugars found in milk and other dairy products. According to the NLM (National Library of Medicine in the USA), it is estimated that up to 65% of people become lactose intolerant after childhood, and even if you have never had any problems with milk, you may notice a change as you age. , because as we age we can lose our ability to digest lactose.
protein shakes Whey protein is made from whey. The concentrated version of the dietary supplement may have lactose and sugar intolerance and may cause abdominal discomfort and bloating. Other causes of bloating when eating protein powder are sweeteners, which are often used to flavor products.
Coffee While coffee isn’t a gastrointestinal irritant for everyone, some people are sensitive to caffeine and as a result may notice digestive issues like gas or even the urge to pee.
industrialized fruit juice Beverages that are not 100% whole grain are often a mixture of fruit concentrate, sugar, added flavorings, preservatives and sweeteners. One of the sweeteners used is sorbitol, leaving the sugar alcohols virtually undigested before reaching the colon. When they get there, bacteria start breaking them down, resulting in excess gas.
Beer Alcohol is flammable and causes bloating and irritation in the stomach, causing more stomach acid to be produced, leading to bloating. Beer triggers the process of fermentation and carbonation, which also causes bloating. Also, the grains commonly used to make the drink (wheat and barley) are difficult to digest. According to the Alcohol Research: Current Reviews study, alcohol can still alter the composition and function of the gut microbiota, and this is a concern because bacteria in the digestive system play an important role in overall gut health.
Don’t use straw
To really avoid bloating and bloating, you should avoid drinking beverages through a straw because when you “suck out” the liquid with a straw, you’re also sucking in some air, which can lodge in your intestines and increase in volume and possibly bloating.
References:
NIH MedlinePlus. lactose intolerance. Available at: https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/lactoseintolerance/
Mayo Clinic. Crohn’s disease. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/crohnsdisease/symptomscauses/syc20353304
Mayo Clinic. Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/hpylori/symptomscauses/syc20356171
Mayo Clinic. Giardia infection (giardiasis). Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/giardiainfection/symptomscauses/syc20372786
health essentials. 15 Foods That May Cause Bloating Available at: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foodsthatcausebloating/
International Foundation for Gastrointestinal Diseases. Foods likely to cause bloating. Available at: https://iffgd.org/gidisorders/symptomscauses/intestinalgas/foodsthatmaycausegas/#:~:text=Starchy%20Foods%20That%20Can%20Cause,that %20does%20not%20%20gas
coffee and health. Available at: https://assetsglobal.websitefiles.com/61278f4a0fe77893a00f1f11/613ded271ac7a9355c1b3516_Caffeine_Metabolism_ReportDESIGNED290518.pdf
Bishehsari F, Magno E, Swanson G, Desai V, Voigt RM, Forsyth CB, Keshavarzian A. Alcohol and gutderived inflammation. alcohol res. 2017;38(2):163171. PMID: 28988571; PMCID: PMC5513683.
Makinen KK. Gastrointestinal disorders associated with sugar alcohol consumption with special reference to xylitol: scientific report and guidance for dentists and other health professionals. Int J Dent. 2016;2016:5967907. doi: 10.1155/2016/5967907. Epub 20 Oct 2016. PMID: 27840639; PMC ID: PMC5093271.
Hannah E Rosenthal, Ruth Milanaik, Setu Mehta BA, Nelson Chow, Mary O’Connor, Claudia Hatef, Reta Behnam; Beware of Bubble Tea: Exploring the Dangers of Bubble Tea Consumption for Children. Pediatrics February 2022; 149 (1st Meeting Abstracts February 2022): 225.