Stomach Bloating: How Probiotics Can Help

Probiotics have become increasingly popular for treating a multitude of stomach disorders, and they may also be able to help reduce stomach bloating.

A major source of abdominal bloating comes from gas that is produced by bacteria that feed on undigested food sitting in the intestines. This condition varies by individual and by the type of bacteria inhabiting the digestive tract.

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Probiotics are essentially strains of “good” bacteria that can help reduce this gas and the resulting bloating for some people, says Authority Health.

According to celebrity physician Dr. Mehmet Oz, quoted at EmaxHealth, probiotics can restore digestive health. He says another source of stomach bloating is undigested food that sits in the intestines too long, adding volume to the midsection. Some foods are not easily broken down by digestive juices, so probiotics may be the only way to get them to break down quickly and leave the body. Slow digestion of food typically leads to more gas produced while faster digestion with the help of probiotics is associated with less gas and less bloating. Unsweetened yogurt containing live and active cultures should be consumed every day, says Dr. Oz.

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Livestrong advises that supplements can be a good way to incorporate probiotics into your diet. They recommend beginning with a probiotic containing just one strain of bacteria at first until you know how well you can tolerate it. It is best to build up to multiple strains, and you may need to experiment a bit to find the strains that are most effective for controlling your stomach bloat.

For reducing bloating, probiotics can take a while to work, advises Authority Nutrition. At first, adding probiotics to your diet may actually increase stomach bloating. You may also experience more gas, belching, and flatulence for a short period of time while your body adjusts to the increased bacteria in the gut, warns Livestrong. Over time, the gut flora will become better balanced with the probiotics and your digestive health will improve.

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