Bloating and chest discomfort after eating may be due to the following reasons:
1. Eating too fast
When we eat too fast, we swallow a lot of air along with the food (Aerophagia). This causes the stomach to fill with gas and causes bloating. Make it a habit to chew food slowly.
2. Foods that produce gas
Some foods naturally produce more gas when digested. Examples include tubers (potatoes, yams), legumes, cabbage, and flour dishes (porota).
3. Drinking water between meals
Drinking a lot of water between meals can reduce the strength of digestive juices. This causes the food to ferment in the stomach and cause gas.
4. Carbonated drinks
The gas contained in soda and soft drinks goes directly to the stomach. This creates pressure in the stomach and causes a feeling of gas pushing into the chest.
5. Constipation
When the waste in the intestines does not go out properly from the stomach, it prevents the gas from escaping. This causes air to be pushed up and the stomach to be bloated.
6. Dairy products (Lactose Intolerance)
Some people have a low ability to digest milk or dairy products. In such people, drinking milk can cause severe gas and diarrhea.
3 simple ways to reduce gas:
Cereal water: Drinking water boiled with cumin seeds can help ease digestion.
Walk after meals: Walking for 10 minutes immediately after eating will prevent gas from building up.
Ginger: Including ginger in your diet is great for reducing stomach gas