Bloating is a common physical ailment among women across the world. If you have ever experienced bloating, you understand how inconvenient and uncomfortable it can be. However, there are methods you can use to keep bloating under control.
In general, raw foods contain more bulk than cooked foods. For example, cooked carrots are less likely to cause bloat than raw carrots. Gassy foods are also major causes of bloating, such as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, citrus, legumes, onions and peppers. Fried foods and spicy foods tend to cause bloating also. When consuming fried foods, digestion occurs more slow. And spicy foods irritate the stomach lining.
Salt is a well-known bloat culprit. The more salt consumed, the more water the body will retain, causing bloating to occur. Chewing gum can also contribute to that bloated feeling because excessive amounts of air are swallowed while chewing. Even food that contains sugar substitutes can cause the body to bloat, such as energy bars, sweetening packets and sugar-free cookies. The sugar alcohol in these foods contributes to bloating, gas, and in rare cases, diarrhea.
Besides food, certain activities can cause the body to bloat. Traveling by airplane is one such activity. Consider the fact that an airplane’s typical cabin air pressure ranges from 5,000-8,000 feet in order to give passengers a comfortable atmosphere. When the body is exposed to this range of pressure, the cavities within the body will expand up to 25 percent. As the cabin air pressure drops upon descent, the intestines will expand, which causes bloating.
And do not forget about getting a good night’s rest. Yes, the amount of sleep you get each night can play a role in body bloat. Experts recommend getting a minimum of seven hours of sleep every night in order to ensure proper digestive track functioning.