Stomach Bloating has a number of different causes, from IBS to endometriosis… but sometimes the cause of your bloating is less complex and temporary. Hot or warm weather can also have adverse effects on the body, such as stomach bloating.
It’s understandable.
The sunshine vitamin can boost your mood, improve muscle and brain function and just make you feel generally healthier, but a bloated belly can ruin your fun.
According to Holland & Barrett nutritionist Isabel Tarrant, “gut bacteria influences everything”.
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Nutrition consultant Stephanie Papadakis and founder of Gut Integrity says that hot weather “can lead to dehydration, which can cause our stomachs to become bloated”.
Bloating is often down to digestion, intolerances, conditions and habits… but it can be caused by hot weather.
High temperatures can result in loss of fluids and salts and lead to symptoms such as bloating, prickly heat, fainting, swelling of hands, feet or legs and muscle cramps.
According to experts from Vita Coco, our stomachs can often be the first body part that reacts to the heat with bloating.
As the body sweats and tries to lower its internal temperature, you lose vital water and electrolytes and your body (if it starts to lose too much) tries to retain what it has left.
The Vita Coco team said:
This fluid retention can often lead to digestive bloating, leaving you feeling uncomfortable and often tired, dizzy and lethargic.
You can’t control the weather, but experts have revealed four steps to beat bloating during a heatwave.
Stay Hydrated
It might seem odd to drink a lot of fluid when you’re feeling bloated but instead of downing pints of water, try to prevent dehydration by continuously sipping water throughout the day.
Coconut water can help rehydrate and replenish the body quick.
With naturally occurring electrolytes (potassium) it can help offset dehydration symptoms.
Eating habits
Fibre-rich vegetables including broccoli and cauliflower can cause discomfort and trigger bloating, as well as beans and lentils, and drinks such as caffeine, alcohol and fizzy pop.
Consider switching some of these in your diet if you notice bloating symptoms and instead opt for foods with a naturally high water content such as spinach, avocado and yoghurt.
According to Dr. Isabel Skypala – specialist allergy dietitian at the Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Foundation Trust, an allergy is unlikely to be the culprit, but bread-related symptoms are real, and wheat could be to blame.
“Some people find certain foods are simply hard to digest, and wheat appears to be one of those.”
If you have bloating or other minor symptoms after eating bread, Dr. Skypala recommended trying an elimination diet.
No fizzy drinks
“Any type of fizzy drink releases serious amounts of carbon dioxide which often make us feel bloated and uncomfortable.
“Instead, opt for a soothing peppermint or ginger tea which promotes healthy digestion and calms your stomach.
“Pop a few ice cubes in and let it cool to make a refreshing cold brew.”
Feed your gut
Eve Kalinik, author of Happy Gut, Happy Mind, and Holland & Barrett nutritionist Isabel Tarrant say gut bacteria influences everything, including bloating.
Eve said:
A lot of people might deem their gut symptoms – such as not going to the toilet for a week – normal because they’re used to it.
But regular bowel movements are a sign that things are moving through as they should be.
Gut symptoms would be cramping, excess gas, constipation and/or diarrhoea.
It’s a misconception that to be healthy, you have to cut out food groups. For gut health, it’s about enriching your diet and rotating colours.
Darker, colourful foods such as berries, purple carrots, dark chocolate, green tea, spinach and grapes are all rich in polyphenols
added Ms Tarrant.
“Foods containing prebiotic fibres feed the positive bacteria in our gut, and examples of these are garlic, chickpeas, lentils, artichokes and onions.”
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She also said foods containing prebiotic fibres feed the positive bacteria in our gut, and examples of these are garlic, chickpeas, lentils, artichokes and onions.
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