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Bloating is an annoyance that can happen to anyone, and it can happen for a variety of reasons. It happens in your abdomen when the gastrointestinal tract fills with air or gas, and makes you feel full, tight or swollen in the belly. For many people, adding anti-inflammatory foods or teas into your diet can help combat bloating, but the best way to get rid of it is to address the causes.
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There are many things that cause bloating - carbonated drinks and eating a large meal can make you feel bloated. But there are also specific foods known to directly cause bloating, so cutting these foods out can nip the problem in the bud.
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One of the most common causes of bloating is actually a vegetable that most of us eat several times a day: onions. Even though most of us only eat a small amount of onion along with other foods, they can cause a lot of bloating.
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Onions contain fructans, which are soluble fibers known to cause bloating. This effect may be even worse for some people with raw onions - which are frequently used in some salads or sandwiches.
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Unfortunately, onions are often a vital part of a recipe because they add a lot of flavor and fragrance to other foods. If you do notice frequent bloating, try cutting out onions to see if they are the root of your problems. You can avoid eating raw onions entirely, and add extra spices and herbs to foods so you don’t miss the added flavors.