What Happens to Your Body When You’re Bloated

Close

Photo:Getty Images

Getty Images

Bloating—you know the feeling. That uncomfortable, distended sensation in the stomach. It’s a feeling we’ve all experienced at one time or another. (Cue unbuttoning your pants after dinner or changing into sweatpants as soon as you get home.) Nearly 1 in 5 people worldwide experience bloating at least once per week, according to a 2023 global study in the journalGastroenterology.

Why Bloating Can Be Normal and Healthy, According to a Dietitian

Still, even if it’s common doesn’t mean you want to deal with that belly-ballooning feeling. If you’re wondering what exactly happens to your body when you’re bloated, keep reading to learn more about the triggers, symptoms and effective remedies for managing bloating.

What Is Bloating?

According to theAmerican College of Gastroenterology, bloating occurs when excess gas, liquids or solids accumulate in the digestive system, creating an uncomfortable sense of fullness. “When you’re bloated, organs in your digestive system become full of gas or air. This causes your digestive tract to stretch and become bigger, leaving you with a rounder-than-usual abdomen. Bloating can leave you feeling uncomfortable and hoping for relief,” saysBrittany Lubeck, M.S., RD, a registered dietitian and nutrition writer.

The #1 Spice to Help Reduce Bloating, According to Dietitians

Causes of Bloating

One common culprit behind bloating is youreating habits. For example, eating too fast can lead to swallowing excess air that accumulates in the digestive tract and causes discomfort, according to a 2019 article inAmerican Family Physician. Certain medical conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, are also commonly associated with bloating, according to theNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.

Additionally, certain foods can cause bloating or worsen symptoms. One example of bloat-inducing foods are those rich in fiber. While fiber is typically beneficial for digestion, it can also lead to bloating as your gut works overtime to break down fiber, which produces excess gas. This bloating is most likely to happen as you switch from a low-fiber to a high-fiber diet, suggests a 2020 study published inClinical and Translational Gastroenterology. (That’s why dietitians suggest ramping up fiber intake slowly when you’re starting to include more of these foods in your diet.) The study also found that a high-protein diet can be another common cause of bloating.

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Too Much Fiber

Bloating Symptoms

Below, find common bloating symptoms, per a 2020 study published inClinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology:

Treatment and Prevention

If your bloating isn’t due to an underlying health condition, it may be happening because of what you eat and how you’re eating it, says Lubeck. “The good news, however, is diet habits can be changed to decrease bloating,” she adds.

The at-home remedies below can really help make a difference in your comfort when occasional bloating strikes. However, if bloating is happening often—at least once per week—and diet changes aren’t helping, see your doctor. They may want to rule out certain GI conditions like IBS or SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth) or consider an intolerance, such as lactose intolerance.

For occasional bloating, here are six strategies you can try:

The Bottom Line

Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Was this page helpful?

Thanks for your feedback!

Tell us why!OtherSubmit

Tell us why!