Hip & Healthy contributor, Beth Windsor reveals her top 10 tricks to achieving a flat tummy this summer!

It’s estimated that a staggering 10-15% of the population suffer from IBS with two thirds being women and scarily, that number’s on the rise. Our diet and fast paced lifestyles don’t help the matter with on-the-go convenience foods being laden with tummy aggravating ingredients. Having suffered with the condition for years I’ve tried many different ways to banish the bloat – some worked a treat, others not so much! To save you the hassle of endless experiments, I’ve decided to share with you my top 10 tricks to banish the bloat and fast!

The Tea
Go herbal. There’s nothing better for a blown up tummy than a nice warm cup of herbal tea. Depending on preference, you can choose between peppermint and ginger as both do pretty much the same thing. Both brilliantly soothe the tummy, neutralise stomach acid and help take away any post-meal bloat.

The Herb
Coriander is a surprisingly good digestive aid having been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Either add the seeds to warm water or sprinkle the leaves on top of a soup or salad for ultimate results.

The Supplement
Nothing short of a miracle, OptiBac Probiotics One Week Flat will flatten your tummy within days! The sachet of powder is easily added to water and contains millions of live bacteria. These probiotics support digestive health by producing specific enzymes needed for the digestion of food and start reducing bloat instantly.

The Spice
Turmeric is a wonderfully bright spice that has been used for thousands of years as an anti-inflammatory, natural medicine. Its magical compound is curcumin, which has shown to be a more effective anti-inflammatory than ibuprofen, and has actually been proven to manage IBS better than prescribed drugs!

The Vegetable
Asparagus has an amazing ability to reduce belly bloat by ridding the body of excess water. This clever little vegetable also contains prebiotics, which are known to support the growth of good bacteria in turn helping to promote gut health.

The Fruit
Bananas not only taste great, but they’re super soothing for an upset tummy too. They are rich in potassium, which helps to regulate sodium levels in the body preventing water retention. Bananas are also a brilliant way to relieve constipation – infamous for causing bloat.

The Seed
Fennel is a tiny seed with a big impact. It works by expelling gas from the digestive tract, which instantly relieves bloating. It has been used in India for thousands of years for this very purpose. A handful of seeds are chewed after a spicy meal to prevent indigestion and freshen the breath. If you don’t want to chew the seeds you can always add them to hot water to make a soothing tea.

The Exercise
The gentle flow of yoga on the body helps things to move along the digestive tract more easily. There are certain yoga poses you can adopt if you’re suffering from gas and bloating. Folding and twisting poses help to stimulate the gut in different ways such as reducing pain and discomfort, aiding digestion and delivering fresh blood and oxygen to the digestive organs.

The Unexpected
Charcoal is surprisingly good at helping to ease gas and bloating in the stomach. If you take it before a meal it will prevent intestinal gas, which will in turn prevent bloating. It works by trapping toxins and binding gas-producing compounds in foods to stop them causing discomfort. It can also help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, IBS and leaky gut syndrome. Charcoal tablets are readily available so you don’t have to worry about black teeth!

words by Beth Windsor