Burping, also known as belching, which is often associated with a
typical sound and a distinct odor is one of the ways the body expels excessive gas
from the stomach.
There are
two main factors that cause burping: swallowing excess air while eating or poor
digestion of food that leads to an overproduction of gas in the digestive
tract. Burping is a normal bodily function, but sometimes it can be
embarrassing and uncomfortable or even accompanied by an underlying medical
condition such as peptic ulcers, gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD),
gastritis, lactose intolerance and celiac disease.
To prevent
and treat burping, you can take a look at some following home remedies to
reduce gas formation in the stomach.
Ginger
 |
| renaissanceherbs.com |
Ginger is an
effective home remedy that prevents excessive gas due to its carminative
properties that help relax the gastrointestinal muscles, thus preventing gas,
bloating and burping. Plus, it promotes digestion, calms the stomach and
relieves abdominal pain.
Peppermint
 |
| anytimefitness |
Peppermint
is another herb to treat burping due to its antispasmodic properties that help
relax the digestive tract, which decreases the gas formation in the stomach and
even improves the flow of bile and boosts overall digestion. However, people
with the history of gallstones should not use this herb.
Probiotic foods
 |
| indiantimes |
Probiotic
foods help restore the natural balance of the gut bacteria. An imbalance of the
bacteria in the digestive tract can cause the formation of gas and belching.
Additionally, probiotic foods such as Greek yogurt, kimchi, buttermilk, sour
pickles and kefir can treat many digestive problems including constipation,
diarrhea, irritable bowel syndromes and bloating.
Chamomile
 |
| healthyfig.com |
Drinking
chamomile tea helps release the abdominal gas through the system instead of
belching and relieves intestinal cramping. A 2011 study in Molecular Medicine
says that chamomile helps in soothing the stomach and relieving stomach gas or
treating other gastrointestinal issues such as spasms, colic, flatulence and
upset stomach.
Cardamom
 |
| theayueveda.org |
This herb
helps increase the production of digestive juices in the stomach, leading to a
reduced risk of gas formation. Thanks to its carminative property, cardamom is
used to aid digestion and reduce flatulence and bloating.
Fennel
 |
| wikimedia |
Fennel is
traditionally used to relieve burping due to its carminative nature which
soothes the digestive tract and prevent the gas formation as well as other
digestive conditions such as bloating, indigestion and heartburn.
Anise seeds
 |
| spicestationsilverlake.com |
Like fennel,
anise seeds have carminative properties that help expel gas build up in the
digestive system and reduce bloating. A 2012 study published on ISRN
Pharmaceutics demonstrated various health benefits of anise seeds such as muscle
relaxant and gastric protective properties.
Avoid gas-producing foods
Carbohydrate-rich
foods and fatty foods often cause gas and should be avoided to reduce the
chance of burping. Some of these foods include carbonated drinks, red wine and
beer; milk and dairy products that contain lactose; eggs; beans and other
legumes; sugar and sugar substitutes; packaged foods with lactose like cereals
and breads…
Additional tips
- Eat slowly because a quick eating makes you swallow more air that causes burping and hiccups.
- Chew food thoroughly with the mouth closed and avoid talking while chewing.
- Stop smoking because inhaling cigarette smoke causes excess swallowed air.
- Reduce stress as excess stress can affect your breathing and cause you to swallow more air.
No comments:
Post a Comment