6 Teas for Digestion and Bloating
Digestion is the process in which we consume, break down, absorb, and excrete food. When this process is flawed in one or more of those areas it can cause issues like bloating, constipation, and gas. Luckily, certain teas for digestion and bloating can aid in restoring the digestive functionality.
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Here are 6 teas for digestion and bloating:
1. Ginger
Ginger contains gingerols and shogaols which aid in stomach contractions and emptying. Your stomach’s purpose is to mix and break down the food that you consume. This is important because if the food isn’t broken down enough in your mouth or stomach, it will be harder to absorb the nutrients in the intestines. Ginger is also beneficial for aiding in nausea and equalizing reflux. A study in pregnant women and chemotherapy patients found that taking 1.5 grams of ginger daily reduced nausea symptoms that were induced by their current state. Stomach emptying is enhanced by ginger because another study showed that supplementing with ginger can shorten stomach emptying time by 4 minutes compared to placebo.
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2. Peppermint
Menthol, the active component in peppermint, has been shown to have positive effects on improving digestion. Peppermint has been used in those with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and results indicate that it reduces stomach pain, bloating, and gas. In a 4 week study of 57 people with IBS, 75% of the group who took peppermint supplements had improved digestion symptoms compared to only 38% in the placebo.
3. Fennel
Fennel is an herb that has antioxidant properties which have been linked to its ability to prevent stomach ulcers. It is another one of the teas for digestion and bloating. Stomach ulcers are when the stomach acid damages the lining of the stomach and it degrades a hole into the wall. Fennel acts as a laxative in certain dosages so it can aid in reducing constipation. A study found that the experimental group who drank fennel tea had more bowel movements than the placebo group.
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4. Dandelion
Dandelion is another one of the teas for digestion and bloating. It has shown to increase the movement of food from the stomach to the intestine by stimulating muscle contractions in the stomach. Dandelion is also shown in a rat study to decrease the overproduction of stomach acid which will prevent stomach ulcers from forming.
5. Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is another one of the teas for digestion and bloating. It serves as an anti-gas, antioxidant, antispasmolytic, and it is effective in the treatment of nausea. Citronellal, caryophyllene oxide, and geraniol acetate are the most active and abundant compounds in lemon balm oil which are antioxidant compounds. The antioxidant activity can help maintain a healthy gut bacteria balance which is beneficial for normal bowel movements and reducing gas.
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6. Chamomile
The traditional use of chamomile has been for gastrointestinal purposes, making it one of the teas for digestion and bloating. The mechanism for why chamomile is beneficial for digestion is because it functions as a relaxant, soothing the stomach muscles, and reducing gas formation. Chamomile is also found to reduce stomach ulcers by reducing the hyperproduction of acid, and it inhibits a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori which can be a contributor to stomach ulcers.
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