Ginger-Mint Detox Smoothie

by: Yuri Elkaim

Though bloating can present itself in a variety of ways, most people describe it as an uncomfortable feeling of tightness, fullness or swelling.

Often accompanied by gassiness and a perceptible swelling of the belly, one in 10 Americans indicate frequent bouts of bloating—even when they haven’t overindulged in a big meal.

Why You Feel Bloated

Bloating can be brought on by a variety of things, almost all of which have to do with food.

Overeating is the most common instigator, and the types of foods you’re putting into your body can be a source of significant bloating as well, as millions of us pump our bodies full of triggering chemicals and non-food foods like gluten, sugar, corn and soy.

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The long-term effects of this dietary abuse weigh on gut bacteria, rendering the digestive system incapable of proper functioning because it’s absolutely anemic for real fuel.

It’s no wonder so many people report regular bloating. If we’re not eating too much—a terrible habit which can permanently damage metabolism—we’re eating too little of nourishing real foods. And so, our systems revolt.

What Can You Do to Combat Bloating?

If you’re constantly battling bloating, try an intermittent fast for starters. Giving your body time to rest from digestion will give it time to heal and reset itself.

I also suggest printing off my free food journal and recording both the foods you eat AND the way you feel throughout the day for at least seven days. Doing so will allow you to start to pick out patterns.

It will help you understand the correlation between specific foods, better understanding how they are affecting your body.

If that sounds like homework, there’s another simple way to battle the bloating bulge that’s a lot more enjoyable: this refreshing smoothie.

Light and cleansing, it’s made with fresh ginger and cucumbers.

Ginger has long been known to soothe the stomach and may actually help deflate the stomach from gas-producing foods. Cucumbers have been shown to inhibit the activity of pro-inflammatory enzymes. They contain quercetin, an antioxidant that can lessen swelling.

Ginger-Mint Detox Smoothie

Fresh, refreshing, and cleansing, this recipe makes an ideal “hangover” smoothie. If you’ve eaten or drank too much the night before, try sipping this smoothie in the morning to reboot and refresh your system.