Bloating is a common digestive problem that almost everyone experiences at some point in life, and several reasons could cause it. But no worry since some dietary supplements can reduce bloating, and of them is greens powder.
The popularity of greens supplements is increasing daily, and there are good reasons behind it. These super greens offer a seemingly endless list of health benefits, and it’s no wonder they can help with bloating.
Greens powders not only work on bloating but also improve the overall digestive function and help prevent various digestive health problems, like stomach upset.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know regarding the effects of greens powder and how greens help with bloating.
How Greens Powders Help Reduce Bloating?
Since green powders contain high levels of dietary fiber, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and anti-inflammatory components, all these constituents significantly reduce bloating and improve overall digestive health.
Greens powders enhance bowel movements and ease constipation. Regular bowel movements can help decrease water retention and upset stomach, resulting in relief from bloating.
Moreover, the best greens powder for bloating can neutralize acids and reduce the overall acid loads of the body by balancing the pH levels and decreasing the production of gas in the gut.
Before taking any supplement, Healthcanal.com suggests seeking professional medical advice. People who are taking medications, pregnant, or breastfeeding are recommended to talk first to their doctor if they can include super greens in their diet.
Keep in mind that green powder doesn’t directly substitute the nutrients like vitamins and minerals you get from whole foods.
What’s In Greens Powders?
Green powders or also known as a green superfood, are powdered forms of supplements that are made from a variety of leafy greens, such as organic greens and grasses. These supplements have been found to provide important nutrients to people who can take the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables from food groups.
Green powders can be taken by mixing them into water or added when making a smoothie. Green powders generally contain around 30 to 40 natural ingredients that vary depending on the brand.
Here are the most common ingredients of most green powders:
- Antioxidant-rich foods such as apple goji, pomegranates
- Leafy greens such as spinach, kale, parsley, collards
- Other vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, beets, tomatoes, green cabbage
- Grasses such as barley grass, alfalfa grass, oat grass
- Seaweed such as spirulina, chlorella, kelp
- Herbs like milk thistle, holy basil
- Nutritional extracts such as green tea extract, grape seed extract, ginkgo Biloba extract
- Mushrooms such as shiitake mushroom, maitake mushroom
- Probiotics digestive enzymes such as Bifidobacterium lactis, Acidophilus, Lactobacillus
- Natural sugar substitutes such as monk fruit extract and stevia leaf extract. If you’re familiar with a sugar called raffinose, it’s a natural sugar found in some vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, beans, asparagus, and many more.
- Extra fibers such as rice bran, inulin, and apple fiber
While most green powders are prepared from dried produce, then ground into powder, some components can be extracted from whole foods and other compounds that can be juiced, then dehydrated.
To use green powders, you may add them to recipes or beverages, like soups, omelets, salad dressings, smoothies, milk, and water. The recommended dosage for green powders varies depending on the brand and ingredients used.
Generally, you can take around 10 to 30 grams of greens powders daily. This dosage can be taken into three divided doses throughout the day. For best results, follow the label instruction or ask a professional if you consider taking greens powders.
What Causes Bloating?
Bloating happens in the abdomen when the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is filled with air or gas. The GI tract includes the mouth until the anus (bottom), which makes up the entire digestive system.
When you’re bloated, you feel as if you’ve eaten a big meal, and there’s no space for it in your stomach. Your stomach will feel full and tight, leading to an uncomfortable or painful sensation. The stomach may look bigger, whereas your clothes may look tight on you.
The common symptoms of bloating include stomach pain, discomfort, and gas. You’ll also notice that you burp or belch frequently or experience abdominal rumbling.
Bloating could be caused by different factors, such as the food you eat since some foods can produce more gas than others. It could also be caused by lactose intolerance (problems with dairy).
Other causes of bloating include:
- Swallowing air
- Constipation
- Too much fiber
- Weight gain
- Menstruation
- Reflux
Other causes could include medical conditions, such as:
- Infection
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Liver disease
- Inflammation
Final Thought – Do Greens For Bloating Work?
Green powders contain a combination of super greens, probiotics, antioxidant fruits, plant-based digestive enzymes, and many more that can improve the overall gut health and reduce various GI problems, like bloating, constipation, and abdominal cramps.
Since greens powders vary by brand, some may contain higher nutrients, such as vitamins, while some may experience mild side effects. Always seek professional advice before taking any greens powder for bloating or for whatever reason.