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Gas & Bloat Are Common Around The Holidays, But Fiber Can Help

Author:

Morgan Chamberlain

December 20, 2023

Former mbg Supplement Editor

By Morgan Chamberlain

Former mbg Supplement Editor

Morgan Chamberlain is mindbodygreen's former supplement editor. She graduated from Syracuse University with a Bachelor of Science degree in magazine journalism and a minor in nutrition.

Image by Sergio Marcos / Stocksy

December 20, 2023

It's no surprise many of us experience bloat around the holidays. Between talking with family at the dinner table, sitting for extended periods of time, drinking alcohol, and consuming sugary, high-carb foods, this holiday is the perfect storm for gastrointestinal upset.

Here are some potential reasons you may experience bloat around the holidays:

You're eating more food than you usually do, and it isn't moving through your digestive system and out of your body at the ideal pace.
You're eating in a more social setting with lots of talking (you know, as one does during holiday dinner parties) and are swallowing too much air, causing gas to accumulate in your stomach.
You're eating holiday foods that your small intestine has a more difficult time digesting (e.g., high-FODMAP foods like apples, dairy, asparagus, wheat, garlic, onion, honey), so they moved along the GI tract to be fermented in the large intestine (aka colon). Gas has now accumulated as a byproduct of the bacteria's fermentation process.

Don't worry, we're going to let you in on a science-backed nutrition secret that can help soothe your stomach and ease unwanted bloat (today and throughout the holiday season): a daily fiber supplement.*

How fiber supplements can help ease gas & bloat

organic fiber+ with prebiotic support

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Mechanically speaking, fiber "gets things moving" by adding bulk to stool and promoting gut motility. If you don't consume adequate fiber to support healthy stool formation, food can sit in your stomach for extended periods of time and lead to GI upset.

According to a 2015 study published by the Saudi Journal of Gastroenterology, guar bean fiber effectively reduces colonic transit time 1 and increases the frequency and quality of bowel movements—all of which can help ease bloat and gas.* What's more, a 2016 randomized clinical trial from Nutrition & Metabolism found that 6 grams of guar fiber per day significantly reduced bloating and gas 2 for individuals with gastrointestinal health issues.*

However, guar bean fiber is only one of many dietary fibers available in supplements—and not all are created equal.

What type of fiber supplement to look for

Supplements with certain types of fiber (e.g., inulin and fructooligosaccharides [FOS], aka oligofructose) may cause additional gas and bloat—especially if you have preexisting gut health concerns.

"Some fibers, like inulin, are fast-fermenting fibers. They produce gas quickly, resulting in bloat. Other fibers, such as guar fiber, ferment slowly and don't produce gas or bloat,"* explains Michael Lelah, Ph.D., chief science officer at NutriScience®.

mindbodygreen's premium organic fiber+ with prebiotic support formula delivers an efficacious 6-gram dose of guar fiber (which has been clinically shown to help ease gas and bloating), plus gut-supporting ingredients green kiwifruit and Bacillus subtilis probiotic (which have been shown to ease bloat 3 and promote gastric and abdominal comfort 4).*

"Supplements that are specially formulated with slow-fermenting prebiotic fibers won't increase gas and bloating,"* Lelah resolves.

In addition to fiber type, you also have to be mindful of just how much dietary fiber you're adding to your daily routine—and how quickly.

"In the short term, having too much fiber or increasing your intake too quickly without also increasing your water intake can also contribute to gas and bloating," says registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN. She recommends increasing fiber intake gradually, drinking extra water, and moving your body to help ease bloat and promote GI comfort.

The takeaway

The next few weeks are filled with festive celebrations for many. If you find yourself experiencing stomach upset, gas, and bloating this time of year, a quality daily fiber supplement like mbg's organic fiber+ with prebiotic support might be just the tool you need to promote healthy evacuations (so you can make room for holiday cheer).*

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.