Turns out you're not bloated just because you had an extra helping of dessert...

We've all had that moment of regret after binging out on food, where our stomach feels like it's ready to rip open and give birth to the giant chocolate cake we gulped down in seconds. While bloating is extremely common, the symptoms are far from pleasant and it can sometimes be a warning sign of a much more serious issue - such as ovarian cancer.

While over-the-counter medicines may help keep the flatulence and pain at bay, you're not treating the root cause of the problem, which one expert says is being caused by one little-known reason.

Doctor Jenny Le is a popular physician on TikTok, who boasts a whopping 261,000 followers for helping people 'live a happier, healthier lifestyle'. "Let's talk about reasons why you're constantly bloated, and it's not what you think," the doctor said in a recent video.

"Sometimes not eating enough or eating consistently enough can lead to bloating... This is because the intestines actually use a lot of energy to pulse - we call it Paracelsus - to move the stool from the intestines out."

The medical expert added if you're eating a 'chronically low' amount of calories or not enough consistently - your body may not have the energy needed for this process. "When you don't have food there the intestines have no reason to contract," she added. "[But if you then] have a large amount of food it contracts more - which can lead to bloating."

Dr Le also warns if you're following a high-soluble fibre diet filled with healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables but are still constipated - you're probably not drinking enough water to 'help pass the stool'. Those with sedentary jobs may also find it harder to 'poop' as physical movement encourages the stool to pass through the bowel, which can again leads to bloating.

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According to the NHS, the most common cause of bloating is having 'a lot of gas in your gut'. The body recommends eating foods high in fibre, exercising regularly, chewing with your mouth closed, and drinking plenty of water to mitigate the unpleasant symptoms.

It also urges Brits to avoid drinking lots of fizzy drinks, alcohol and caffeine, as well as processed, sugary and spicy foods. Avoid eating a large meal late at night before bed and don't consume food you know you're intolerant to either. You should see a GP if any of the following applies:

  • You've been bloated for three weeks or longer
  • You've changed your diet but still feel bloated
  • You're also experiencing symptoms such as being sick, diarrhoea, constipation, weight loss or blood in your stool
  • You feel bloated regularly. That is, more than 12 times in one month
  • You find it difficult to move/complete daily activities because of your bloating

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