Bloating, otherwise known as meteorism, is characterized as a feeling of tightness and fullness in the abdomen. It is often accompanied by a mild or sharp abdominal pain. While tea is not the cause of bloating, certain lifestyle habits, dietary choices and medical conditions do contribute to bloating. Consult with your medical adviser if you experience severe abdominal pain from bloating as this may be an indication of a more serious health matter.
Causes of Bloating
An individual's lifestyle may contribute to abdominal bloating and discomfort. Smoking and chewing foods quickly may lead to bloating because air is swallowed with each chew or breath. Excess air may also be consumed through carbonated beverages, chewing gum or talking while eating, according to Mayo Clinic. The body relieves itself of excess air by way of a belch or flatulence. However, when air doesn't pass through as a belch or flatulence, it accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract, which leads to abdominal bloating. Additional causes of bloating include consumption of fatty foods, stress or anxiety, gastrointestinal complications, irritable bowel syndrome, celiac disease, and lactose intolerance.
Foods to Avoid
Carbohydrates produce gas, which either exits the body through belching or flatulence, or accumulates in the gastrointestinal tract. Different food products produce varying amounts of gas. In general, high-fiber food products produce the most gas. Although restricting high-fiber carbohydrates from your diet may relieve symptoms of bloating, fiber is important for proper bowel movement and should not be eliminated altogether. Gas-producing foods include baked beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts and cabbage. Carbonated drinks and chewing gum also introduce additional gas into the body and should be limited.
Tea Recommendations
Beth Burch, N.D., recommends herbal products, such as peppermint, fennel, chamomile, ginger and lemon balm, to alleviate pain and discomfort from indigestion. These herbs may be used alone or in combination with other herbs and spices to create a tea blend. To make tea from the herbs, simply steep 2 tbsp. of fresh, or 1 tbsp. of dried, herb per cup of boiling water. Let the mixture stand for approximately five minutes before straining the herbs.
Additional Remedies
Chewing your food more slowly is a quick remedy to relieve bloat. If you happen to be lactose intolerant and enjoy your tea with milk, consider substituting cow's milk with almond or soy milk. Burch notes that sorbitol, an artificial sweetener, may also contribute to bloat. If you have a habit of adding artificial sweeteners to your tea, natural sweeteners, such as honey or agave nectar, will sweeten the tea without the bloat. Additionally, Burch recommends digestive bitters to stimulate the flow of saliva and the digestive tract. Digestive bitters are herbs with a bitter taste and may be found in your local health food store.
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