Expert shares drink that can help ease bloating from Christmas food and drink

26 December 2023 , 14:17

1060     0

There's a delicious drink that can help reduce your festive food bloat (Stock Photo) (Image: Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)

The post-Christmas dinner slump can leave us all feeling heavy - but there's one drink you can take that can help to reduce some of the Christmas bloat.

There's no denying you may have had to undo a button or two after tucking into a delicious Christmas dinner, enjoying a plate full of turkey, the trimmings and maybe even a slice of Christmas cake afterwards too. If you're left feeling slumped and bloated, it can be an uncomfortable feeling.

Nutritionist Dr Pamela Mason from the Tea Advisory Panel told The Mirror some easy ways to help reduce bloating.

Feeling bloated is a feeling of "tightness, pressure, fullness and pain" and your stomach "may feel swollen". Dr Mason stated there was one drink that could help ease bloating - tea. The humble cuppa could help ease bloating, as it's packed with health benefits and water.

"Black tea, that's our much-loved cuppa with milk or without, is good for our gut health overall. Sipping a warm cup of tea is helpful for bloating in part because you cannot gulp it down. Tea can also help with bloating because of its flavonoid content. Flavonoids can reduce inflammation in the gut, so helping bloating," She explained.

Dr Michael Mosley shares exercise that can cut cholesterol and blood pressure

Dr Mason added: "Flavonoids can also improve the microbial mix in the gut by reducing the ratio of less healthy bacteria to healthy bacteria. Less healthy bacteria in the gut can contribute to bloating. Herbal infusions as well as ginger and mint teas also have the ability to reduce indigestion which in turn can help bloating."

If you feel bloated over the festive period, it's usually because of all of the food and drinks you will have consumed, but if it persists, Dr Mason recommends going to your doctor to get it checked out. "Bloating usually goes away on its own after a while. It can re-occur due in women to the hormonal cycle (e.g before and during a period). But bloating can sometimes be a symptom of underlying disease," she warned and further explained: "If it doesn't go away, see your doctor.

"Bloating can sometimes be caused by food allergies and intolerances. If you suspect this is the case mention it to your GP. A dietitian will be able to help with any dietary changes that may help you."

Niamh Kirk