Stomach bloating: Add these four spices to your cooking to soothe bloated stomach pain
STOMACH bloating is usually caused by eating certain foods that are hard to digest. But some other foods can have the opposite effect and help soothe bloated stomach pain by aiding digestion, such as these four delicious spices.
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Stomach bloating most commonly happens after eating foods which are hard to digest. Foods which are typically hard to digest include junk food, but also some vegetables like sprouts, beans and cabbage. Cutting down on bloat-inducing foods can help to relieve a bloated tummy, but you could also try eating more foods that contain properties that can aid digestion. There are many foods which help promote the digestion process, and a simple way to get more of them in your diet could be to add certain spices into your cooking.
Turmeric is a well-known tonic for the digestive system
Sebastian Pole at Pukka Herbs recommends the following four spices:
Cardamom
Cardamom helps to naturally boost metabolism and increase circulation in the body, helping to relieve that bloated feeling.
It is also an effective decongestant and helps to soothe indigestion and flatulence.
Aniseed
Aniseed helps to stimulate digestion and clear the digestive system, relieving abdominal pain, flatulence and bloating.
It is also an effective anti-spasmodic, relaxing the muscles of the digestive tract to help prevent the gut from cramping.
Fennel
Like aniseed, fennel helps stimulate digestion and clear the digestive system. It is also a strong anti-inflammatory.
Turmeric
“Turmeric is a well-known tonic for the digestive system,” said Pole.
As well as helping to reduce inflammation in the digestive system, which prevents bloating, turmeric is anti-spasmodic, helping to prevent the gut from cramping.
Pole recommends seasoning your food with these spices, or drinking them in the form of herbal teas.
In addition, Pole advises eating your main meal between 12pm and 2pm, “when your digestive system works the best”.
Eating a big meal in the evening “will only tax your digestive system” and could leave you with a painful, bloated stomach or gut cramps.
Also try to eat “intuitively” and just when you are hungry, as this is a sign your previous meal has been digested.
“Poor digestion is a common ailment in modern society, particularly after an overindulgent festive season. Unpleasant symptoms such as bloating, abdominal pain and unpredictable bowel habits can affect day-to-day life,” said Pole.