As the summer heat brightens the tropics, many Bermudians look forward to outdoor activities, barbecues, and beach days. However, the warm season also brings a common yet often overlooked issue: bloating.
With summer just around the corner, maintaining a healthy gut is crucial, and incorporating probiotics into your daily routine is a great habit. Probiotics are live beneficial microorganisms, usually bacteria or yeast, that support overall gut health. They are tiny but mighty allies that ensure a balanced and efficient digestive system.
Curious about how probiotics and lifestyle changes can improve your gut health this summer? We’ve got all the tips you need to enjoy a more comfortable season and find the best probiotic supplement for optimal results.
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How Summer Heat Affects Gut Health
Bloating is a common digestive issue that manifests as a feeling of fullness or swelling in the abdomen. Gas, discomfort, and sometimes pain accompany bloating.
Surprisingly, digestive issues like bloating are often more common in the summer. Here are the reasons why:
1. Dehydration
High temperatures increase the risk of dehydration, which slows digestion and leads to constipation, a common cause of bloating.
2. Heat-Related Stress
The body’s response to heat stress can affect the digestive system. Increased cortisol levels (the stress hormone) disrupt digestion.
3. Changes in Diet
Summer often brings dietary changes, including increased consumption of rich, fatty, and sugary foods commonly found at barbecues, picnics, and parties. These foods are more difficult to digest, resulting in gas and bloating.
Additionally, summer parties include large spreads and buffets, tempting people to overeat. Eating too much in one sitting stresses your digestive system.
4. Alcohol Consumption
During summer get-togethers, people tend to drink more alcohol, which can disturb the digestive system and cause bloating. The dehydrating effect of alcohol exacerbates the problem even more.
5. Inactivity
While summer encourages outdoor activities, the extreme heat often leads to more sedentary habits during the peak heat hours. Physical inactivity slows down digestion and causes bloating.
6. Foodborne Illnesses
The heat of the summer increases the risk of food spoilage, which in turn increases the risk of foodborne illnesses. Ingesting contaminated food can cause gastrointestinal distress and bloating.
7. Increased Intake of Carbonated Beverages
During summer, people tend to drink more cold and carbonated beverages, such as sodas and sparkling water. While it’s refreshing to drink such beverages in hot weather, they cause the stomach to contract and introduce excess gas into the digestive system, causing indigestion and bloating.
Reduce Bloating Fast with Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria or yeasts found in certain foods and supplements. They aid digestion, enhance nutrient absorption, and support the body’s defense against harmful pathogens by maintaining a balanced gut flora.
Research shows that probiotics support gut health by balancing the intestinal microbiota. Certain probiotic strains, like Lactobacillus acidophilus, reduce bloating by enhancing digestion and reducing gas production. They may also improve gut motility and reduce inflammation, factors associated with bloating.
You can naturally get probiotics from fermented food such as kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso. Gut health supplements also supply your digestive system with beneficial bacteria.
When selecting probiotics, it’s important to consider several factors:
Strain Specificity
Look for strains known to help with bloating, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis. Each strain has unique properties and effects on gut health.
CFU Count
CFU stands for colony-forming units, which indicate the number of viable bacteria in a product. Opt for a probiotic supplement with a minimum of 1 billion CFUs to guarantee an effective dose.
Delivery Method
Probiotics come in various forms, like fermented foods, powders, and capsules. Select a type that fits your lifestyle and preferences.
7 More Bloating Remedies
Probiotics can do wonders for your gut health, especially when you combine them with lifestyle changes. Enhance the effectiveness of probiotics and keep bloating at bay with the following habits:
- Drink at least 2 liters of water daily to prevent dehydration. Proper hydration maintains regular bowel movements and minimizes the risk of constipation, a common cause of bloating.
- To promote healthy digestion, eat foods that reduce bloating, such as veggies, fruits, and whole grains. Foods like ginger, peppermint, and pineapple, which contain enzymes, also aid digestion and reduce bloating.
- Avoid habits that cause you to swallow excess air, such as chewing gum, drinking through a straw, or talking while eating. This step lessens the amount of gas trapped in your digestive system.
- Stay active to stimulate digestion. Walking, yoga, and stretching improve gut motility and reduce gas buildup.
- Avoid carbonated drinks and high-sugar foods to reduce the risk of bloating. For some people, high-fat foods and certain artificial sweeteners can have the same effect.
- Instead of having large meals, consider eating smaller but more frequent portions throughout the day to avoid overloading your digestive system.
- Eating slowly and mindfully helps you avoid overeating and reduces the amount of air you swallow. Chew your food carefully and pay attention to when your body feels hungry or full.
Get the Best Probiotic for Bloating from PHWC
Combat bloating effectively with Premier Probiotic from Premier Health and Wellness Center. This top-tier supplement features four potent strains, including the extensively studied HN019® strain of Bifidobacterium lactis, delivering 100 billion CFU per capsule. It’s vegetarian, dairy-free, and gluten-free, ensuring suitability for various dietary needs.
The capsules are designed to survive heat, moisture, and stomach acid, ensuring maximum efficacy. Premier Probiotic supports a balanced gut microbiome, aids lactose digestion, promote bowel regularity, and enhances immune function. Choose PHWC for the best probiotics for gut health.
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Nurture Your Gut with Expert Help
While occasional bloating is not a cause for concern, persistent or severe bloating could suggest an underlying condition, such as gastrointestinal infections, celiac disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If you frequently experience bloating along with symptoms such as weight loss, intense abdominal pain, or blood in your stool, seek medical advice for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Besides our gut bacteria supplements, Premier Health and Wellness Center offers various healthcare services in Bermuda designed to address all your digestive issues and other health concerns.
Contact us at 441-292-5111 or fill out our online form to get a consultation from one of our Bermuda doctors. You may also visit any of our clinics:
- Hamilton: 38 King Street, Hamilton HM12, Bermuda
- St. Georges: The Bank of Butterfield Building, 1 King’s Square St George’s Bermuda GE05