How Does Drinking Alcohol Cause Alcohol Bloating
According to the National Institutes of Health, bloating is often the result of irritable bowel syndrome. This intestinal disorder can cause actual damage to the intestines, which will manifest in pain and discomfort in the abdominal area.
Those who suffer from the condition will often have constipation and diarrhea. Many factors can cause irritable bowel syndrome, but one of the most impactful ones is alcohol.
Heavy or occasional alcohol drinking can lead to irritation and inflammation in the abdominal area. This is the reason for the bloating.
However, to really understand the bloating contributors, you will need to figure out how alcohol affects the stomach and its role in the gastrointestinal tract. Research indicates that alcohol can interfere with multiple stomach functions.
What Is The Least Bloating Alcohol
The type of alcohol you choose can affect how much bloating you experience.
Generally speaking, clear liquors such as vodka, gin, and tequila are the least likely to cause bloat because they are made from fermented grains or vegetables that dont contain many sugars or additives that can contribute to bloating.
Darker alcoholic beverages such as red wine, whiskey, brandy, and dark rum may contain more sugars or additives that can cause bloating.
Why Does My Stomach Hurt After Drinking
In some cases, alcohol-induced bloating can cause a certain level of pain and discomfort. While it isnt as debilitating as other stomach complications, its still a troublesome thing to deal with.
Its crucial to note that the pains can sometimes be associated with something other than alcohol. You might be experiencing health issues that affect the stomach lining. So, its best that you consult a doctor to rule out any serious complications.
The medical experts at the our inpatient alcohol rehab center for men or women in Dallas-Fort Worth can provide you with all the information you need. Their team of specialized experts will make sure that all alcohol-dependent individuals get the treatment they deserve.
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Alcohol And Weight Gain
Alcohol contains around seven calories a gram – almost as many as pure fat.
Calories from alcohol are ’empty calories’, meaning they have no nutritional value.5 They dont benefit your body in any way.
And the calories in an alcoholic drink dont just come from the alcohol many have additional calories from carbohydrates as well, like sugar or starch. This can make a drink very calorific – for example, a pint of lager can contain the same amount of calories as a slice of pizza, or a large glass of wine the same an ice cream sundae.
Research has found that the calories people consume through alcohol tend to be additional to the calories they consume in the rest of their diet, rather than a replacement. That means you could be having lots of extra calories passively, or without thinking about it and that will lead to weight gain.6
When you drink alcohol, your body prioritises getting rid of it ahead of other processes, because it is recognised as a toxin . Essential tasks like absorbing nutrients and burning fat are interrupted until the alcohol has been processed.7
If you are overweight reducing the amount of alcohol you drink each week is a good way to lose weight.8 And its easier to maintain a healthier weight by making sure you drink within the UK Chief Medical Officers low risk drinking guidelines that means no more than 14 units a week, spread over three or more days with several drink-free days, and no bingeing.
Which Drinks Are The Most Likely To Cause Bloating
Alcohol and stomach bloating are definitely connected and trying to avoid the most problematic drinks is a good idea if you cannot avoid drinking completely. The worst alcoholic drinks that are the most likely to cause bloating are beer, wine, cider, prosecco, champagne, and carbonated mixers.
These fizzy and alcoholic drinks all include carbon dioxide, meaning you consume a lot of excess gas while drinking, which leads to bloating. Moreover, the above-mentioned drinks have been fermented and contain a lot of carbohydrates or sugar, both of which again contribute to bloating.
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Say Goodbye To Bloating
Sometimes, no matter what you do, you just cant keep the bloat from plaguing you. There are many ways you can combat bloating, including:
- Trying gas relief capsules. Anti-gas medication can move extra air out of your digestive tract.
- Taking a warm bath. There are two benefits to this method: The heat of the bath can relieve your sore abdomen, and the general relaxation a bath provides can help your gastrointestinal tract function better.
- Replacing sodas with water. You may love the jolt of caffeine you get from soda, but if your belly is suffering, its a good idea to switch to good old water for a while.
- Going for a walk. Physical activity gets your bowels moving and allows you to work the gas out of your body.
- Using peppermint capsules. Peppermint relaxes the intestinal muscles, allowing gas to work its way out of the system.
- Massaging your abdomen. When you massage in the path of your large intestine, you can get your bowels moving and relieve some of the bloating pressure. However, dont continue massaging if it is causing you any pain.
- Eating more fiber. If you choose to increase your fiber intake, do so over the course of several days. When you eat too much fiber in a day, that can actually cause even more bloating.
Facial Alcohol Bloating The More Obvious Of Signs
It is common knowledge that alcohol puts weight on people, and often this can be hidden away or simply written off as putting on weight. But with a alcohol puffy face, before and after a period of drinking is just different and more obvious really.
For many who drink to excess, it can often be just seen as what they look like, and have accepted the obvious signs of alcohol damage many years ago.
Whilst trying to hide our levels of drinking from the outside world, in hindsight I think that it was quite obvious that those who do drink to excess like a drink
We doubt that anyone knew to what extent that I drunk, but I looked very much like a drinker as some say, the face of an alcoholic.
Whether or not I agree with or like the term alcoholic is quite irrelevant. This is what is a common phrase, and this is what I would be referred to looking all bloated.When I was drinking to excess -I definitely experienced a bloated alcohol face.
I worked in an environment where high alcohol intake was acceptable, normalised and often encouraged. And the alcohol bloated face was very evident. Unless I get a job where wearing a balaclava was an option, then there was no way of getting away from the fact really. But as I say, alcohol was a common drug that people used for whatever their end of the night thing that they needed.
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Other Side Effects Of Consuming Alcohol
Drinking alcohol is best done in moderation. If you drink too much, you can cause other damage to your body decides bloating. Over time, you can damage your liver and cause issues with memory and other brain functions. Excessive amounts of alcohol can increase the risk of cancer as well as causing injury to you or others through impaired driving or other behaviors. It can also harm your baby if you drink while pregnant.
How Can You Avoid Alcohol Bloating
If youre planning to consume more than one alcoholic beverage, you may want to consider some ways to help avoid bloat. The first step is to ensure youre hydrated and drink plenty of water before drinking alcohol. You will need to drink more than average since alcohol dehydrates you.
Carbonated drinks, such as soda, also dehydrate you. If you plan to drink later, avoid sodas earlier in the day. Beer is also carbonated, so limit it in favor of other alcohol choices. Youll also want to avoid mixing alcohol with soda, such as rum and coke, to help reduce bloating.
Avoiding smoking while youre drinking can also help with bloating. When you smoke, you breathe more air, which can lead to bloat. The toxins in your cigarettes can also irritate the stomach.
While youre at the party or hanging out with friends, pay attention to how you drink alcohol. Drinking slowly helps prevent you from swallowing extra air, which can cause bloat. Once you finish drinking for the evening, you may crave salty or fatty foods. Dont give into those cravings because the salt will cause you to retain excess water and suffer from bloating³.
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What Is Alcohol Bloating And How To Avoid It
Alcohol has been linked with a lot of negative health outcomes from sleep disturbance to liver failure. However, when it comes to drinking, there are a lot of side effects that fly under the radar. While bloating is one of the lesser explored side effects, its actually one of the most common effects drinking alcohol can have on the body.
I wanted to find out more about alcohol bloating, so I sat down for a chat with naturopath Rachel Aldridge.
Ways To Get Rid Of Beer Belly:
- Eat foods high in fiber and water content, while avoiding salty foods.
- Exercise regularly. While you cant target fat loss in the belly, losing weight in general will decrease beer bloat.
- Stay hydrated with plenty of water.
- Medications, Antibiotics and Probiotics
- Add zinc to your diet in alcohol recovery. Too much alcohol lowers testosterone levels, especially for men, and that means youre likely to accumulate belly fat. Zinc supports testosterone production so your body can burn fat more effectively.
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Why Bloating Happens And How To Prevent It
Today, people of all shapes and sizes will stare down at their waistbands, dumbfounded by a button so easily clasped just the other day. Bloating happens even to the leanest of people, but there are steps you can take to reduce bloating before it starts. Follow these tips to keep those skinny jeans front and center in your wardrobe.
What Causes Alcohol Gastritis
Alcohol Gastritis is a type of acute gastritis and is caused by excessive alcohol consumption. The sudden inflammation of the stomach lining can be very painful and cause severe stomach cramping, irritability and vomiting. While consuming too much alcohol is the main cause of Alcohol Gastritis, it often develops in connection with some sort of infection, direct irritation or localized tissue damage. It can be caused by:
- taking non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory medications like aspirin or ibuprofen .
- certain bacterial infections.
- bile reflux from proximal small intestine.
- autoimmune disorders.
While these are the chief causes of the condition, there are other activities and circumstances that can contribute to the irritation, including stress, smoking and caffeine intake. If you wait to see a doctor for alcohol gastritis symptoms and continue to drink the more likely it may lead to permanent damage to the stomach and digestive system.
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Dont Do Cardio That Morning
Were all in favor of hitting up SoulCycle Montauk before you get your day started, but if youre planning on drinking beer in a bikini all day, you might want to skip the intense cardio the morning of. When you do cardio, your body tends to retain water for a few hours afterwards as a natural response to the sweating and water depletion youre putting it through during the workout. It will go away by mid-day, but just to be safe, Id do the class the day before, or just do a strength training or toning workout instead.
Get Enough Sleep The Day Before
Getting enough sleep a day before drinking alcohol lowers your chances of bloating.
This is because not sleeping well produces higher cortisol levels. More cortisol is released through stress. So, if the body does not get enough rest, it will release more cortisol than normal.
The release of this hormone causes disturbances in your digestive system which in turn makes you constipated all day.
Therefore, lack of sleep can lead to constipation, which can lead to bloating.
Advisably, take enough rest and sleep well a day before drinking alcohol.
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Apple Cider Vinegar Tonic With Green Tea
According to research, green tea may have a slight diuretic effect on the body due to the combination of antioxidants and polyphenols that help flush out excess water and sodium.
In addition, green tea contains caffeine, stimulating gastrointestinal tract movement and reducing bloating. Try this detox drink for a quick, easy beverage to help you debloat.
How Common Is Stomach Bloating
Between 10% and 25% of otherwise healthy people complain of occasional abdominal bloating. As many as 75% describe their symptoms as moderate to severe. About 10% say they experience it regularly. Among those diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome , it may be as much as 90%. Up to 75% of women experience bloating before and during their period. Only 50% of people who experience bloating also report a distended abdomen.
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How Long Should Alcohol Bloat Last
The time it takes for your bloating to subside depends on many factors. But in general, bloating caused by drinking shouldnt last more than a few days.
If your bloating persists for weeks or months, it may be a sign of a more severe condition.
Alcohol can worsen the symptoms of many conditions. But one of the most common ailments affected by alcohol is called irritable bowel syndrome or IBS.
Alcohol Bloating: Why Does It Happen
So, why does alcohol make you bloated? While different factors come into play, alcohol-induced bloating is usually caused by the empty calories and carbs in alcoholic drinks. Cocktails and other similar drinks also contain lots of sugar, which can contribute to weight gain.
Depending on what you order, just one drink can contain 50 to several hundred calories and just as many grams of sugar. Alcohol is an inflammatory substance, which is why you may have experienced bloating after drinking alcohol, even if its just a night of drinking.
This inflammation is made worse by things mixed with alcohol, such as sugary and carbonated drinks, syrups, sweeteners, and flavoring. This combination can easily result in gas, discomfort, and even facial swelling. If youve ever experienced face swelling due to alcohol, you may have also noticed some redness, both of which are caused by dehydration, as well.
When youre dehydrated, your skin and organs try to hold onto as much water as possible. This causes water retention, which can make you look puffy or swollen.
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How To Get Rid Of Alcohol Bloat
Alcohol bloating can be treated with antibiotics by targeting the H. pylori infection, a bacteria that commonly grows in the digestive tract, stomach, or duodenum. If youre seeking medication, you should always go to your primary physician for any medication.
A doctor may also prescribe medications to protect the stomach lining and improve gut health. Usually, stomach acid can damage the stomach lining. Stomach acid often comes up as a result of alcohol-induced acid reflux and heartburn.
Antacids like Alka-Seltzer, H2 blockers like Pepcid AC, and proton pump inhibitors like Protonix and Nexium can also help reduce the harm caused by the build-up of stomach acid and reduce bloating. Lifestyle changes may also need to be made to promote weight loss, including cutting down on alcohol consumption.
The Potassium In Coconut Water Is Great For An Unsettled Stomach
In 2016, Mashru told Shape magazine why she sips on coconut water when she needs to reduce stomach bloating, sharing, “I use it regularly because it has the potassium content like bananas so it helps regulate electrolyte levels and keeps fluid levels regular in our bodies.”
She notes that one cup of coconut water contains 600 mg of potassium, more than a banana, which has 422 mg. Plus, it’s a tasty way to stay hydrated when you feel like you’re retaining water.
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Have A Light Meal Beforehand
Eating a meal before you start drinking can help slow the absorption of alcohol and reduce how bloated you feel the next morning.
Try having something with carbohydrates, like toast or a sandwich, before going for a night out. You can also include some protein and fiber-rich snacks, as these will help keep you full longer and reduce how much you drink.
Avoid Using A Straw While Drinking Alcohol
Avoiding using a straw while drinking alcohol might seem like a crazy idea, but in the real sense, scientists have proven that doing this helps in avoiding bloating.
Using a straw while drinking subjects you to inhaling excess air which causes inflammation to your body.
Inflammation is one of the leading factors that cause bloating after drinking alcohol.
To avoid this, just drink directly from the glass and skip the straw.
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Reversing The Effects Of Alcoholic Gastritis
It is possible to treat gastritis using medicines that soothe and heal the stomach lining if other means dont work. For people who abuse alcohol on a regular basis and who develop either acute gastritis or chronic gastritis, one way to potentially reverse the damage is to stop drinking.
If the damage is extensive before drinking is stopped, it may not be able to be fully reversed, and lifelong management of chronic gastritis may be required, including reparative surgeries, regular medication, avoidance of irritating foods and other treatments to prevent additional damage. Quitting alcohol is never a bad idea. Even in instances of chronic gastritis, it is certain that when you stop drinking alcoholic beverages it will lead to diminishing the symptoms of the condition and easing discomfort.