10 Natural Ways to Reduce Belly Bloat

Posted by Tamara Green on June 12, 2017

The most common causes of bloating include eating too much, eating too fast, eating fatty foods and just having poor digestion. But no need to struggle with the discomfort — soothing a distended belly is actually quite easy. Here some powerful ways to fight the belly bloat using common foods and ingredients.

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Mint Leaves

Mint leaves can be chewed up or steeped in hot water to make a tea. Mint has natural muscle relaxing abilities, allowing intestinal muscles to calm and release tension. Mint also improves bile flow helping fats to digest more easily.
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Ginger

Ginger is a potent digestive aid that has been used to alleviate gas, bloating and stomach pains for centuries. It naturally stimulates the body’s digestive enzymes, and is an anti-inflammatory, helping to relieve inflammation and protect the stomach lining. Get a recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/detox-tea/13960/" target="_blank">Ginger Detox Tea</a>
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Pineapple

Pineapple is similar to papaya in that it contains a natural digestive enzyme called bromelain. This enzyme can also be found in digestive enzyme formulas found in health food stores. Bromelain helps to reduce bloating and gas and is prominently found in the stem of pineapples, so make sure to include it in your smoothie blend. Get a recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/pineapple-juice/14446/" target="_blank">Pineapple Juice</a>
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Yogurt

Yogurt contains natural probiotics, which help to populate good bacteria in the gut and improve the body’s digestive capabilities. Yogurt can also help reduce bacteria that can cause gas. Get a recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/spiced-yogurt-with-summer-berries/13067/" target="_blank">Spiced Yogurt with Berries</a>
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Sauerkraut or Kimchi

If you can’t tolerate plain yogurt, sauerkraut or kimchi are great alternatives. They are both fermented products that contain live, healthy probiotics. Similar to yogurt, the bacteria in sauerkraut and kimchi improve digestion, and reduce gas and bloating. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/sauerkraut/14469/" target="_blank">Sauerkraut</a> and <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/chucks-kimchi/11880/" target="_blank">Kimchi</a>
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Anise Seeds

Anise is a carminative herb, which means it helps to expel gas out of the body and reduce bloating. It also eliminates nausea and indigestion. You can chew on anise seeds to release their benefits or boil anise seed in hot water and drink up.
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Lemon Water

Drinking water helps flush toxins out of the body. This will act as a diuretic helping to reduce bloating. Lemon will also stimulate bile acids which aids overall digestion.
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Papaya

Papaya is a digestive champion. It contains an enzyme called papain, which works as a mild laxative, helping the body to eliminate excess waste. Papaya is a good source of fibre, which helps the body's elimination process, reducing bloating and digestive discomfort. Eat fresh papaya or throw it in a smoothie to increase digestive capacity and reduce bloating. Get the recipe for <a target="_blank" href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/papaya-and-soybean-salad/11358/">Papaya and Soybean Salad</a>
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Turmeric

Turmeric is one of nature's most powerful anti-inflammatories. Curcumin, the potent substance within turmeric, helps stimulate the gallbladder to produce bile. Turmeric is known to combat indigestion, bloating and gas. The best way to get the benefits of turmeric is to drink golden milk. Get the recipe for <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.ca/recipe/olympic-gold-milk/15173/" target="_blank">Olympic Gold Milk</a>
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Parsley

Fluid retention is another cause of uncomfortable belly bloating. Luckily, parsley is a natural diuretic that helps release excess water from the body. Parsley tea (boiling water mixed with parsley) increases urination, which helps reduce the accumulation of water in the body. Parsley also has anti-inflammatory powers, helping to reduce belly aches and pain.
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