Unexpected reason you might feel bloated that has nothing to do with eating

11 January 2024 , 13:15

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Bloating could be a sign of a more serious condition, and isn't always caused by food (Image: Getty Images)

We've all gorged on dessert or too much booze and suffered the aftermath.

Bloating is usually caused by excess gas in your gut, which is often triggered by certain foods and carbonated drinks. The condition could be a warning sign of bigger issues such as food intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

In rare cases, constant and extreme bloating could be an early sign of ovarian cancer - so you should contact your GP if this symptom persists. However, bloating can also occur for reasons completely unrelated to food - which currently affects hundreds of thousands of Brits across the country.

According to nutrition expert Abigail Hopkins, high levels of stress could be causing you to feel bloated. There are a slew of factors that can spike a person's stress level, including moving home, bereavement, and relationship breakups.

"Stress has a huge impact on our digestive system," Hopkins said. "It can alter the way we breathe and the way we digest food, which in turn can lead to bloating."

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The NHS says there are many 'practical self-care tips' that can help reduce and manage stress. These include having cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), talking to friends and family about your feelings, exercising regularly, and splitting up big tasks into more 'manageable chunks'.

Other non-diet-related factors that could lead to bloating include poor posture, taking medications (especially opioid painkillers), or having an undiagnosed medical condition. For women, bloating can also be an early warning sign that your period is on the way.

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Many Brits are taking to more holistic approaches to alleviate their stress, including mindful meditation and yoga. According to Harvard Health, these practises can help calm the mind and lower blood pressure.

If you don't know where to start, Dr Herbert Benson of the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine recommends spending 10-20 twice a day to meditate. He instructs those feeling stressed to sit in a quiet place with their eyes closed and 'silently repeat a word, phrase, sound, or short prayer' over and over.

"When stray thoughts interfere (as they will), let them come and go and return to your word, phrase, or sound," he added. If you're struggling with stress, check out these resources.

Liam Gilliver