7 Teas To Help With Bloating & Discomfort
Bloating is caused by a buildup of gas or air in the stomach, and it often leads to stomach pain and a swollen belly. If bloating is a pervasive problem for you, it might be a sign of more serious digestive issues. However, for many people, it's commonly a result of eating too quickly or eating foods that are harder to digest. In that case, you may be able to reduce those uncomfortable symptoms with certain herbal teas.
We consulted registered dietitians who shared their top seven teas for easing digestion and eliminating bloat:
Ginger tea
Ginger helps promote digestion because, according to integrative dietitian Ali Miller, R.D. L.D., CDE, it contains both "antiemetic and carminative functions, which aid in the breakdown of gas and support bowel movements."
mindbodygreen Functional Nutrition Training
Learn how to use food as medicine with a cutting-edge nutrition deep dive taught by the world's foremost health & wellness experts. Learn more about mindbodygreen's Functional Nutrition Training.
One study from 2011 shows the effects of ginger on different digestive issues, including flatulence, nausea, and abdominal pain. It reveals that ginger increases gastric motility1, which means it helps food move through the digestive tract.
Mint tea
A warm cup of peppermint tea does more than relax your mind. "Mint seems to relax the digestive system promoting overall digestion," registered dietitian Isabel Smith, R.D., CDN, says.
Fennel tea
Smith also recommends drinking fennel tea to help manage bloating. Similar to mint "fennel eases the muscle of the digestive tract," she tells us.
Aside from aiding in digestion, fennel is great to enjoy after a meal because it can help reduce bad breath. "In many parts of India and Pakistan, roasted fennel seeds are consumed as a mouth freshener2," one study writes.
Dandelion root tea
Registered dietitian Emily Kyle, R.D., tells mbg, one study shows "enzymatic reactions in the body that occur as a result of consuming dandelion can help to stimulate digestion3, thus relieving bloating."
Dandelion also acts as a natural diuretic4 by increasing the frequency of urination, which in some cases can help reduce bloating, especially in relation to PMS.
Green tea
For people who drink tea habitually, green tea seems to have the greatest health benefits and has even been linked to a lower risk of heart disease and other causes of mortality5.
Along with those health benefits, green tea may also have positive effects on the gastrointestinal system. Drinking it "may even offer relief for many digestive disorders6 that are commonly associated with bloating such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease," Kyle tells us.
Chamomile tea
Chamomile, while commonly blended into sleepytime tea, might also aid in digestion and reduce bloating by relaxing the digestive system. In fact, one study says it has been used to treat various gastrointestinal disturbances7, including gas, indigestion, diarrhea, and stomach cramps.
Turmeric tea
Turmeric is an orange-hued herb well known for its medicinal benefits. "Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric, has been extensively studied for its preventive health benefits and disease-fighting potential," registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, says.
Specifically, it's known for its antioxidant properties8, which can help reduce inflammation and digestive discomfort.
Bottom line.
Each of these seven teas has properties that may help promote digestion, which can ease the uncomfortable symptoms of bloating. If the tea is not enough to reduce your bloating, try these natural remedies. Also, if you experience chronic digestive issues, it's important to speak with your doctor before trying any natural treatments.
8 Sources
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3016669/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4137549/#B30
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5553762/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3155102/
- https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2047487319894685
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15464031
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3882399/