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Occasional bloating is frustrating enough as it is, so when your inflammation issues become chronic it can be uncomfortable and disheartening to go day to day with a consistently distended stomach. There are a variety of foods which you can incorporate into your diet that can have a positive impact on your bloating and gas retention, but sometimes the best solution is simply integrating a supplement into your routine which can target the source of the inflammation in order to provide faster relief.
Apart from your classic vitamin C supplement or protein drink to bolster your immune system and promote healthy weight loss, there’s one other supplement that health experts agree you should be turning to on a daily basis for less bloating and a flatter stomach without the discomfort.
It’s well known that turmeric is a fantastic anti-inflammatory spice, but the meals that it can be included in are often limited to curry, soups, and the occasional smoothie. However, turmeric also comes in supplement form and is the ideal vitamin to turn to when it comes to combating chronic inflammation.
“The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin and it's so powerful that it rivals Prozac in terms of its ability to treat depression, which is an inflammatory disorder,” notes nutritionist Heather Hanks. Not only this, but turmeric may also help to target inflammation in the body stemming from arthritis and other illnesses that can wreak havoc on the body.
Antioxidants are some of the best food variations for improving your digestion which is essential in fighting against bloat. Turmeric is a powerful antioxidant in both spice and capsule form, and regardless of whether your inflammation is a result of an illness such as cancer or heart disease, or from a hormone imbalance or food intolerance, taking a turmeric supplement will target the issue at the source to reduce bloating and relieve some of the discomfort that accompanies it. “Turmeric, ginger’s relative, can help to protect the body from joint inflammation, tissue destruction, and even cancer,” notes Dr. Carrie Lam, MD, FAAMFM, ABAARM.
One thing to note about turmeric is that its primary active ingredient, curcumin, is often poorly absorbed by the body. Seeing as this is the ingredient which can help to target bloating and discomfort, it’s important to find a way to allow curcumin to absorb more effectively in the body to make its mark. That being said, black pepper is one ingredient which interacts well with turmeric and allows for better absorption.
Black pepper is loaded with piperine as its primary ingredient, which has been known to increase the absorption of curcumin by up to 2000%. Therefore, it’s important to pick up a turmeric supplement which also has black pepper as an active ingredient in order to get the most out of your morning vitamins. Hanks also notes that pairing turmeric with a healthy fat such as coconut oil is another great way to allow it to have the biggest impact on your body, reducing bloating once and for all.
If you aren’t fond of cooking with turmeric but still want the benefits of this powerful anti-inflammatory seasoning, a supplement capsule may be the perfect addition to your diet to target bloating and allow you to finally feel great in your body. While it can still be helpful to treat your bloating through eating anti-inflammatory foods and consulting with your doctor about next steps, beginning your morning with turmeric is an easy and natural way to soothe the gut and improve digestion for reduced inflammation over time. Paired with vitamin C and your other supplements to start off your day, bloating doesn’t stand a chance.
