Stomach bloating is a physical clue our digestive system isn’t working optimally, and this can be due to a variety of reasons. Eating too quickly is a common cause as it robs the body of the chance to track its consumption and send the appropriate satiety signals to the brain.

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This means you can end up feeling overly full and with a distended, bloated stomach.

An unexpected daily habit could also be causing your bloating, according to David Wiener, Nutrition Specialist at leading fitness app Freeletics. 

David told Express.co.uk that being distracted when eating can lead to a bloated stomach.

He said: “Eating on the go, in front of the tv or at your desk can affect digestion.

“The digestive process starts in the brain and begins even before food enters the stomach. This is because the sight, smell, thought or taste of food stimulates the digestive process.

“When we are focused on other things rather than our food, this phase is inhibited which can contribute to bloating.”

Other everyday habits which could be causing your bloating, according to David, are not chewing properly, chewing gum, dehydration, stress, eating too late at night, and food allergies.

Not chewing properly

Not chewing food properly can significantly contribute to bloating and other digestive issues.

David explained: “This is because chewing helps to mechanically break down food and release digestive enzymes in saliva. Bypassing this important stage of digestion puts more pressure on the rest of the digestive tract, meaning food may sit longer in the gut fermenting and producing gas. Inhaling your food also means you are likely to swallow more air, only adding to the problem.

“Try to chew your food at least 20 times before swallowing and put your cutlery down between each mouthful.”

Chewing gum

When you chew gum, you’re inhaling excess air, which gets trapped in the stomach and intestines, causing you to burp and release gas, said David.

He added: “In addition, sugar-free gum often contains artificial sweeteners, which people can find tricky to digest and, as a result, can exacerbate gas and bloating.”

Dehydration

When your body is dehydrated, it retains fluid, making you feel puffy and bloated.

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David explained: “Drinking lots of water can potentially reduce the likelihood of bloating. This is because dehydration and electrolyte imbalances can halt digestion as, when your body attempts to counter-balance the effects of being dehydrated, it holds on to excess water.”

Stress

Our digestive system is particularly susceptible to the effects of stress, advised David.

He said: “When we are stressed we produce less stomach acid and digestive enzymes and our gut bacteria can be negatively affected, increasing the risk of bloating. Remember to take time out for yourself, for example by doing gentle exercise such as walking and yoga, breathing exercises or meditation, and get a good night’s sleep.

“Talking to a professional who can advise on relaxation techniques and/or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) has also been shown to be beneficial for those with digestive issues.”

Eating too late at night

Today, the average time people eat their evening meal has gotten considerably later.

David said: “Whilst this may allow you to work late or pack more social events into your evenings, eating too close to going to bed puts additional strain on the digestive system.”

Food allergies

Food allergies, sensitives or intolerances can lead to bloating.

David explained: “The two most common forms of food that lead to bloating are dairy products and foods containing gluten.

“Even people who are not officially diagnosed as being allergic can experience sensitivity to these foods and experience constipation and bloating.”

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