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Here you are again with that belly acting up after the meal? Honestly, bloating is a real pain. Fortunately, a gastroenterologist with a large Instagram following has shared his secrets. And I have to say I was quite surprised by his advice on drinks to avoid… and to adopt.
Bloating: drinks to urgently banish to soothe your belly
Do you think carbonated drinks will calm your digestion? Classic mistake. Dr. Sethi, a very influential gastroenterologist, explains that these bubbles only increase the volume of air in your stomach. Result? Bloated belly, gas, and sometimes even pain. Not great.
And cow’s milk, often underestimated, can be a real sabotage for your belly, especially if you have lactose intolerance. This leads to slowed digestion, with that unpleasant feeling of bloating.
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Another culprit of the day: “zero sugar” sodas. Beware of their sweeteners like aspartame, which can also promote fermentation in the intestine. Same punishment for industrial fruit juices and energy drinks, packed with sugars and additives.
These natural drinks that pamper your digestion
Dr. Sethi doesn’t give up on lovers of a flat belly. He recommends several super effective drinks. Leading the pack: ginger infusion, highly anti-inflammatory, which stimulates digestion while calming intestinal spasms. It’s a true little natural treasure.
Peppermint also works wonders. Its fresh taste is a pleasant bonus, but it mainly helps relax your digestive system, thus reducing bloating. Sometimes, the pleasure of a drink goes hand in hand with its effectiveness, really.
Fennel infusion, or even in hot water, also helps deflate. It’s gentle, light, and works quietly. For those who prefer to refresh their belly, cucumber-infused water is perfect: hydrating and light, it flushes excess water without irritating the stomach.
And the classic unavoidable morning drink, warm lemon water, helps wake up the liver and digestion gently. A simple ritual that can make all the difference, honestly worth trying if you haven’t already.
Why do these drinks have such an effect on your belly?
It’s sometimes hard to understand why a simple drink can change everything. Basically, it all comes down to how our body handles bubbles, lactose, or artificial sugars. The air in sodas and carbonated drinks literally inflates your stomach.
Lactose, for its part, is a natural sugar in milk. Not everyone has the enzymes (lactase) to digest it. As a result, this sugar ferments in the intestine, creating gas and bloating. That’s why some people get that little bloated belly after a café au lait.
Artificial sweeteners also stimulate intestinal bacteria that ferment, causing even more discomfort despite their “light” aspect. In short, it’s often a vicious circle.
Simple alternatives for a lighter belly every day
What really pleased me is that all these recommended drinks are easy to include in our routines. No need for special purchases or complicated recipes. A ginger or mint herbal tea is sometimes just a few steps from the fridge or cupboard.
Cucumber-infused waters bring an ideal touch of freshness in summer, or when you want to cut back on overly sweet things that don’t help. As for warm lemon water, it’s a staple that deserves its place on your table.
By adopting these drinks, you really give your belly a real chance to feel better, without having to radically change your diet. That’s rather reassuring, don’t you think?
Why do carbonated drinks promote bloating?
Carbonated drinks contain air that inflates the stomach, causing a sensation of a bloated belly and gas.
Is cow’s milk always bad for digestion?
Not always. Milk mainly causes problems for people intolerant to lactose who have difficulty digesting it, which leads to bloating.
How does warm lemon water help digestion?
Warm lemon water stimulates the liver and gently wakes up the digestive system, facilitating better digestion from the morning.
Can artificial sweeteners cause digestive problems?
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Yes, they promote intestinal fermentation which can cause bloating and gas, despite their lack of sugar.
Which infusions are best to relieve bloating?
Ginger, peppermint, and fennel infusions are known for their soothing digestive properties against bloating.
