This is an archived article and the information in the story may be outdated. Please check the time stamp on the story to see when it was updated last.
Fruit is undeniably one of the best foods you can regularly consume in order to fuel a well-balanced diet that allows you to look and feel great from the inside out. Many fruits are loaded with vitamins and minerals that can help to promote healthy weight loss, improve hydration, and even boost your immune system, keeping illness at bay. With no shortage of benefits, some fruits can even help to eliminate inflammation and bloating, cutting through discomfort to reveal a visibly flatter belly that isn’t fraught with gas and pain. While you can’t really go wrong with adding any variation of fruit into your daily diet, these are the four options which experts swear by for achieving your healthiest body this spring, beating bloat with ease.
Grapes
A quick and easy snack for days when you’re on the go, grapes are also great for cutting through inflammation and minimizing discomfort in the belly. “Grapes contain an array of commonly consumed dietary phytochemicals. Plant-derived polyphenolic compounds are well known for their antioxidant properties. Recent evidence indicates these anti-inflammatory activities would have important implications in health maintenance and disease risk reduction,” explains Dr. Rashmi Byakodi. In other words, the antioxidants found in grapes will help to reduce inflammation and discomfort, ultimately revealing a flatter belly. Dr. Byakodi also notes that grapes have been shown to provide cardiovascular benefits, fighting against both heart disease and inflammation.
Cherries
A summertime favorite, cherries in both their sweet and sour forms are rich in antioxidants which can have profound effects on bloating and inflammation. “A study has revealed that daily consumption of tart cherries can help to attenuate inflammatory and oxidative responses during exercise-induced muscle damage,” says Dr. Byakodi. However, it seems that cherries with a more tart flavor will have an even better effect on bloat. “Tart cherry consumption reduced several phenotypes of metabolic syndrome and reduced both systemic and local inflammation.”
Tomato
Less of a snacking fruit and better for basing your meals around, tomatoes are loaded with nutrients which can help to eliminate bloat while providing your body with a wide array of vitamins and minerals. Dr. Waqas Ahmat Buttar explains that tomatoes are packed with antioxidants which reduce free radical damage, keeping the development of degenerative diseases at bay. “Tomato consumption has been associated with a reduced risk of inflammatory processes, cancer, and chronic non-communicable diseases (CNCD), including cardiovascular diseases (CVD) such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity,” he explains. Try making your own pasta sauce from scratch or integrate fresh tomatoes into your next salad if you find yourself regularly struggling with bloat.
Blueberries
Easy to throw on your oatmeal or yogurt for breakfast, blueberries are another antioxidant rich fruit which can eliminate bloating and discomfort for a flatter belly. “Fruits are antioxidants, meaning that they help keep the integrity of cells and tissue formation and development by managing compounds that tend to disrupt normal functioning,” explains MSc Caitlin Carr. Loaded with fiber as well and high in water, blueberries will help to improve your digestion and naturally cut down on bloating from the source. With no shortage of ways to introduce them into your diet, grab a handful of blueberries throughout your day to feel better in your skin and cut bloating out of the equation as you work to lose weight.
