Do Greens Help With Bloating?
If you are looking for help with the discomfort of bloating and other common digestive problems, you may be entertaining the idea of using super greens.
Bloating comes from a buildup of internal gas for many people; if you get bloated after eating, high fats, carbs, and fiber in your diet might be the reason. Luckily, greens are a natural way to help stop bloating and make you feel more comfortable.
In this post, we’ll look more closely into the causes of bloating, and how consuming more greens could possibly help you get rid of bloating.
Why Do I Get So Bloated After Eating?
The uncomfortable tight feeling associated with bloating is one of the world’s most common digestive symptoms; in fact, 40% of people experience bloating at some point, especially those who have some type of underlying gastrointestinal disorder.
Bloating after eating can come from a few things, and if it’s persistent, then you should seek out a doctor’s opinion.
The main causes of bloating are gas buildup, excess fiber, and large quantities of food in the digestive tract. If you eat large meals, or eat them too quickly, you likely swallow a lot of air which also contributes to the expansion.
Bloating is caused by the natural gasses your body produces to digest food, which can be uncomfortable if there is a lot of food to break down at once. Greens may be able to help improve digestive health, making them a great natural bloating remedy.
Consider looking into the best super greens powder to alleviate bloating.
Greens Powders Improve Your Overall Digestive Health
When you’re already bloated, the last thing you want to do is go eat more. So, put down that bowl of spinach, and definitely don’t go for broccoli. Instead, think about drinking a scoop of super greens powder instead.
The best greens powders are rich in vitamins and minerals, alongside two other important elements for good gut health: enzymes and probiotics.
Digestive enzymes are proteins your body naturally creates to process food and turn it into energy. In a healthy digestive system, there are lots of enzymes that can easily break down food and help your body absorb the nutrients it contains.
On the other hand, if you don’t have enough enzymes for the job, digestion stalls, and bloating may ensue.
There are different types of digestive enzymes with specialized roles; some break down lactose, others sucrose, and so on.
In addition to giving your body a good dose of enzymes, greens (and greens powder) also contain fiber, which stimulates your digestive tract and helps your body process food better.
Now, let’s talk about probiotics. You may have heard about them a lot if you’ve looked into digestive health, taken supplements, or ever drank kombucha. What exactly are they?
Simply put, probiotics are good bacteria that help your gut and digestive system as a whole. They are often used to treat bloating thanks to their influence on your gut’s biome.
Imagine an entire world of good and bad bacteria waging a war for balance in your intestines. When you introduce more of the good guys, it’s easier for your body to restore peace and harmony to your digestive system.
Research suggests that probiotics are helpful in treating lower gastrointestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A 2019 systematic review of the current literature found that probiotics were effective in treating a variety of digestive symptoms, including bloating, flatulence, discomfort, and abdominal pain associated with changes in bowel movements.
Why Greens Are So Good for Bloating
As nutrient-dense foods, leafy greens, grasses, and some types of herbs are excellent sources of the essential elements your body needs to perform its daily duties. In your gut, this means processing food efficiently, so your body can absorb as many nutrients as possible, and swiftly eliminate anything it doesn’t need.
On top of the digestive enzymes and probiotics we talked about, some vitamins and minerals in greens and greens powder are particularly helpful in getting rid of bloating.
Magnesium is a nutrient your body needs, and it helps your digestive system by encouraging the muscles to relax and move more efficiently. Some people who struggle with bloating turn to magnesium supplements, but you can easily get most or all of your daily recommended value (DRV) in a greens powder drink that’s not only delicious but easier for your body to process.
There are many vitamins in greens, and the ones most helpful for gut health are:
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin) — Promotes a strong metabolism
- Vitamin B6 — Helps create neurotransmitters that influence digestion
- Vitamin B12 — Helps your body better absorb iron and assists in the production of red blood cells
- Vitamin C — Ensures the body produces enough acid to properly break down food
- Vitamin D — Can increase diversity of bacteria in your gut, promoting greater balance and more efficient digestion
- Vitamin K — Reduces inflammation and oxidative stress, allowing muscles to contract and move food through the digestive tract more efficiently
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to eat tons of extra green veggies and cruciferous vegetables to get all the benefits of greens. Their essential vitamins, minerals, and other helpful compounds can all be consumed easily with a greens powder.
Incorporating more greens into your diet can help reduce bloating, improve bowel movements, and support a healthy digestive system.
