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A bloated stomach is most commonly caused by trapped or excess wind, which can result from eating food which is difficult to digest. This can include stodgy food like junk food, and gassy
food and drinks. Gassy food can include vegetables such as beans, broccoli, cauliflower, sprouts, onions and cabbage. Gassy drinks are beverages like soft drinks and beer. Many people suffer
from a bloated stomach at some point in their lives, but there are ways to soothe symptoms. One easy way to get rid of bloating is to add lemon to water. Adding lemon juice to water can
help relieve bloating and indigestion due to its similarity to the acidity in the stomach’s digestive juices. This means it can help ease the digestion process, while also stimulating
metabolism. Water in general is a good way to flush out toxins from the body. Hot water can be more soothing for the belly than cold water, so adding lemon to hot water is even better.
Sometimes when eating food which is high in salt, the body can hold on to excess water in order to prevent dehydration. Water retention can also contribute to a feeling of bloating in the
tummy. If bloating is caused by water retention, it may seem contradictory that drinking more water can help reverse the problem. But actually it can. Drinking more water can lessen bloating
caused by water retention because keeping hydrated will help flush out excess fluid. This way the body won’t think it’s dehydrated anymore and won’t hold on to excess water. The effects of
this will be further improved by adding lemon to your water, as lemon juice is a natural diuretic. A diuretic is a substance that promotes diuresis - the increased production of urine.
Other, similar drinks which can help alleviate stomach bloating include herbal teas, such as peppermint and green tea. Some fruit juices can also help, such as papaya or pineapple juice.
This is because papayas and pineapples contain enzymes which promote digestion. “Get rid of bloating by cutting out fizzy drinks and foods that cause wind. Sit down to eat and take regular
exercise,” advises the NHS.