This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s senior fall editorial intern Dalal Daher. Find her on Instagram at @dalalllldaher. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
From skinny girl tea to debloating gummies, social media is full of supposed hacks to counter this common issue. If you’ve experienced bloating, you definitely know how frustrating it is to manage it. A 2022 study revealed that 1 in 7 Americans suffer from bloating on a weekly basis but don’t seek professional medical assistance for it. So what is the actual science behind viral bloating hacks, and which ones are scientifically accurate?
Why do we bloat?
Bloating can be attributed to a variety of symptoms, like bowel issues such as constipation or a sensitive gut. Commonly, swallowing too much air during activities such as chewing gum, eating quickly, and carbonated drinks can contribute to the gastrointestinal tract being overfilled with gas. Your gut microbiome, which consists of the microscopic organisms and bacteria in your stomach, small, and large intestines, helps your digestive system. When your gut microbiome becomes imbalanced due to factors like a diet full of sugars and saturated fats, or chemicals like alcohol and tobacco, it can also lead to a lot of bloating. Food intolerances can also contribute to bloating.
So now that we know some of the conditions behind it, which viral hack actually helps with bloating?
Probiotics
Probiotics, which are live microorganisms and bacteria that are ingested to restore balance in your gut, have reached widespread popularity. As a form of ‘good’ bacteria, certain probiotic strains can help relieve bloating, and it’s good to do some research into each strain’s specific benefits. Probiotics are found naturally in yogurt and fermented foods (think pickles and kimchi), but probiotic supplements have not been extensively studied and are not regulated by the FDA, meaning there’s no guarantee that the ingredients listed are actually in the supplement. It’s probably best to consume probiotic-rich food but to be wary of probiotic supplements without proper research.
Debloating gummies
From Kourtney Kardashian’s wellness brand Lemme’s Debloating gummies (which actually contain probiotics) to apple cider vinegar supplements, a variety of unspecific ‘debloating gummies’ are rampant on the Internet and on our grocery store shelves. It’s important to note that apple cider vinegar gummies’ ability to curb bloating are not strongly supplemented by science, and that they’re mainly effective in reducing appetite.
Furthermore, gummy vitamins might actually make bloating worse with ingredients such as added food coloring, sugar, and gelatin, with sugar alcohol sometimes contributing to bloating. It’s worth noting that over-the-counter dietary enzymes are not regulated by the FDA, so like with other debloating products you see in stores, there’s no telling how much of each ingredient is in the supplement.
Skinny Teas
“Skinny Teas” that help with weight loss and bloating have gone through waves of popularity, but they’ve been extensively debunked. Skinny and detox teas often rely on laxatives such as senna (a natural laxative), meaning overusing it can damage your gut lining even more, and also that they’re not truly solving anybody’s gut issues. Skinny teas are not regulated by the FDA and while they expel water and feces, they don’t reduce any body fat or provide a long-term bloating solution. Also, some detox teas have even stopped contraceptive pills from working…which definitely won’t help any bloating.
So what should I do to stop bloating?
Foods like ginger and turmeric actually do help with inflammation and digestion, as does peppermint tea. If you have IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) where your gut-brain connects often leads to digestive issues, following a FODMAP diet that favors trading in foods that are harder to digest, such as legumes and processed meats, for lower-FODMAP foods could help.
However, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution for bloating and there no trick when figuring out what relieves bloating fast. While some viral supplements may work they’re not necessarily backed by scientific studies and may lead to long-term complications! Bloating sucks but the best option is to seek medical advice and exercise a lot of caution when shopping for solutions. While probiotics and superfoods do have the potential to help with bloating, a lot of the enticingly advertised products on our social media offer no guarantee on how much of each ingredient they have. Make sure to do your own research, follow a diet that works for you, and if you can, ask a medical professional for their opinion.
Have you tried any viral debloating hacks? Have you found any tips for what relieves bloating fast? Let us know in the comments below!
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