You’ve almost certainly experienced it: the tight, uncomfortable feeling of your stomach straining against your pants with a case of bloating that came seemingly out of nowhere. Inflammation is an unfortunately common digestive problem, and what makes it particularly difficult to pin down is the variety of causes it can have, from food intolerance to something as simple as that time of the month.
Thankfully there are certain ingredients you can include in your diet which may help to alleviate the worst of the bloating, and cooking with certain spices is one of the best ways to soothe your gut and treat inflammation from the source. We spoke with Trista Best, RD for her take on the best spice to target bloat and finally allow your body to feel your best, and luckily, it’s a versatile one.
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Ginger
When it comes to stomach issues, from bloating to even mild queasiness, ginger is across the board one of the best spices to integrate into your cooking for a source of relief. There’s a reason why ginger ale is a classic stomach ache cure, and adding this spice to your everyday recipes can help to provide some of the same benefits in reducing inflammation and settling the gut. “[Ginger] has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. In recent years, one of those properties is its ability to help fight bloat,” explains Best.
While nausea is not always linked to bloating, certain stomach treatments like ginger can help to target both issues. “It is well known that ginger helps reduce nausea, part of the reason is the root cause of the nausea - gut dysbiosis,” notes Best. Gut dysbiosis occurs when the intestines are wrought with bacteria which has been linked to bloating, gas, discomfort, and nausea. “Ginger helps to bring balance to the gut and thereby reducing bloating, nausea, and gas,” she adds.
Ginger has been known to aid in digestion as well, and slower digestion may be one of the root causes for frequent inflammation and bloating. Therefore, targeting this concern can help to alleviate some of the discomfort, while allowing food to pass through the body more effectively. But be warned, faster digestion from ginger will likely result in a sped up emptying of the stomach, so it may be worth staying near a restroom if you’ve been stopped up and loaded your latest meal with a healthy serving of ginger.
The good news is that ginger, while helping to improve gut health, is also incredibly versatile to cook with and can fit well within a variety of different cuisines to easily slot into your everyday eating plan for significant digestive benefits. “Ginger is a unique and versatile spice that can be added to just about any recipe, which makes it easy to take in the beneficial properties regularly,” says Best. Try out this delicious cabbage stir fry recipe for an added serving of fiber as well, or cook up a filling and creamy, vegan curry this week to not only enhance satiety, but eliminate discomfort and inflammation as well. While it can be frustrating and uncomfortable, bloating doesn’t have to be the end of the world, and with natural remedies like ginger at your fingertips, you’ll feel better in no time.
