Exact way cold weather can cause bloating - and make you 'go up 2 dress sizes'
The UK has had the coldest night of winter so far, and while the temperatures are expected to ease slightly over the coming days, you might continue to feel the effects.
Cold weather, snow and ice doesn't only pose a risk to life on the roads, it can also wreak havoc on our health. From causing migraines to making it more likely we'll get a cold that never seems to go away, there are plenty of downsides.
And it turns out that if you've felt very bloated recently, the cold weather could also be to blame for that. Bloating, where your tummy feels full and uncomfortable, is very common, and there are many reasons for it happening - and some are more obvious than. you might think.
When you have a lot of gas in your gut, you might think it's because of something you ate or drank, but it can actually be caused by other things like anxiety - or even cold weather. According to Dr Carrie Ruxton, dietitian and advisor to the General Mills fibre campaign, this is known as the "winter gut lag".
Speaking to The Mirror, Dr Ruxton explained that "bloating is caused by bacteria in our gut producing excess gas," and this can sometimes "be so bad that a person will go up a couple of sizes in clothes"
Tips to stop windscreen freezing and prevent blades from sticking to window
She continued: "Scientists have noticed that winter is often a time when bloating and other gut problems get worse - dubbed 'winter gut lag' by some commentators."
According to Dr Ruxton, there are several different reasons for this, but a huge on is changes to our gut bacteria that may happen in cold weather. She explained: "Our gut is full of millions of diverse bacteria, some helpful to the body while others promote gas, bloating and inflammation. Several studies show that our gut bacteria change depending on the time of year which could be due to changes in exercise patterns, more indoor living in winter and exposure to winter illnesses, a lack of vitamin D, or the amount of dietary fibre we eat."
It can also be down to the different things we tend to eat in winter - which is often a time of overindulgence. Dr Ruxton said: "We eat different things at different times of the year. In summer, more fresh produce is available and we tend to favour fruit, vegetables and salads. In winter, people are looking for warm, comfort foods which tend to be higher in fat. Christmas, New Year and indeed Easter is often a time of overindulgence in high calorie foods and alcohol. These all affect our digestion."
Dr Ruxton also thinks we're eating too little fibre, with the average British household eating only two thirds of the recommended amount, according to new report Going against the Grain, by General Mills. This can "increase the risk of bowel cancer and digestive problems" She added: "Not only this, but a lack of fibre also depletes types of 'friendly' gut bacteria - something which is unknown by two thirds of Brits according to the research.
However, there are things you can do to help during the winter, and one of them includes eating a tasty snack - fresh fruit. Dr Ruxton urges people to eat more fibre, which is "simple" once you know where to find it in the supermarket. She recommends:
- Choosing a wholegrain breakfast cereal and add a chopped banana or a handful of berries
- Try a warming lentil soup with wholemeal bread for lunch
- Snack on nuts, seeds and dried or fresh fruit instead of cakes or biscuits
- Eat more slowly and chew food well, as eating quickly makes bloating worse
If you're struggling with regular bloating you should speak to your GP. Dr Ruxton added: "Always check with your doctor if you are concerned about any gut symptoms or if you experience bleeding from the back passage or irregular bowel habits. The over 50s should complete their annual poo tests."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
