When I developed the Just For Tummies range, I was still in clinical practice as a colon hydrotherapist, and I knew that a plant-based digestive enzyme supplement had to be included to help people who suffered with bloating. There wasn’t a day went by in my clinic that I didn’t meet at least two or three people who struggled with bloating and didn’t know why. Little wonder the Digestive Enzymes tablets are now one of our best-sellers.
Bloating continues to be one of the most common concerns people get in touch with us at Just For Tummies about – if you experience it, you’ll know just how uncomfortable (and often frustrating) it can be.
For some, bloating builds gradually over the day; for others, it seems to come on out of nowhere, even after eating foods that usually feel ‘safe’. This unpredictability is often what makes it so difficult to manage.
So, what’s behind bloating?
The truth is that bloating isn’t caused by just one thing. It’s often the result of several factors working together.
Some of the most common contributors include:
- Eating too quickly or not chewing food thoroughly
- Overeating or frequent snacking, which doesn’t give the digestive system time to rest
- Imbalances in gut bacteria
- Not having sufficient stomach acid, or poor pancreatic and gallbladder function
- Constipation or sluggish bowel movements
- Hormonal fluctuations
- Stress, which can directly impact digestion
- Certain medications, such as PPIs (e.g. omeprazole and lansoprazole)
- Food intolerances (such as dairy or gluten)
Is it really the food?
A common assumption is that specific foods are to blame – but it’s rarely that simple. Before spending money on expensive food intolerance testing, it’s worth considering the environment where your food is being broken down: your digestive system.
If you’re not producing enough digestive enzymes, food may not be properly broken down. This can lead to fermentation in the gut, causing gas and bloating.
Similarly, a lack of beneficial gut bacteria can make it harder to digest certain foods effectively – something that can be influenced by antibiotics, infections, or illness.
The role of digestive enzymes
One area that’s often overlooked is how well we actually digest our food.
Digestive enzymes are substances your body produces to break food down into nutrients you can absorb. When enzyme production is low – or when we overwhelm the system with large meals, rushed eating, or constant grazing – food can sit in the gut for longer than it should.
The result? Fermentation, gas, and that uncomfortable bloated feeling.
Supporting digestion with our Digestive Enzymes has proved to be incredibly helpful for many of our customers. The tablets work by assisting the breakdown of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, helping food move more efficiently through the digestive tract and reducing the likelihood of gas build-up.
Alongside this, a few simple changes can make a big difference:
- Slow down and chew your food thoroughly until it is mixed well with saliva
- Be mindful of portion sizes – eating less can often improve digestion
- Leave space between meals to allow proper digestion
- Stay well hydrated, but don’t drink water with your meals – half an hour before and an hour afterwards is fine
- Notice patterns – does bloating happen after certain foods or at certain times of day? Keep a food diary to monitor changes.
While occasional bloating is very common, persistent or severe bloating shouldn’t be ignored.
If bloating is ongoing, worsening, or accompanied by other symptoms such as abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits, blood in stool, vaginal blood loss not connected to menstruation, or fatigue, it may be a sign of an underlying issue. These can include conditions like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO), food intolerances, or other digestive and gynaecological disorders.
In these cases, it’s important to seek further advice and, where appropriate, medical testing. Getting to the root cause is key.
If bloating is something you’re struggling with, you don’t have to just put up with it. With the right support and a better understanding of your digestion, it’s often something that can be significantly improved.
If you’d like help exploring what might be driving your symptoms, feel free to get in touch – we’re here to help.
