Feeling too full. Debating which is “better”: Silent but deadly or loud but no smell? (You can always blame your chair for creaking, right?) Burping—a lot. Bloating is common, but it’s not fun. Still, it might help to know you’re not alone in these unpleasant thoughts and feelings. Research suggests nearly 18% of people around the world report bloating, with women about twice as likely as men to experience the unenviable issue. On the “bright” side, bloating prevalence appears to decrease with age.
Some people may chalk up bloating to everyday life. Others may see a gastroenterologist. It’s actually not a bad idea to get checked out if you’re “always bloated,” though it’s not easy to identify the root cause.
“Bloating is a challenge because it can be from many different things,” says Dr. Andrew H. Moore, MD, a gastroenterologist with Endeavor Health and the section head for Gastroenterology at Swedish Hospital. “It’s not usually a simple cause with a simple solution. There are many reasons bloating can happen, including food intolerance, changes in gut motility, IBS, excess intestinal gas and more.”
It’s not easy to tease out the truth, so Dr. Moore prepares patients for some trial and error. But relief is possible.
“Many causes of bloating are modifiable and treatable,” Dr. Moore explains. ” Addressing the underlying cause, like changing the diet or managing constipation, can very often improve symptoms.”
If someone doesn’t have a chronic condition like celiac disease, he often starts asking questions about a patient’s diet. This surprising question always comes up when someone comes to him and says they’re “always bloated.”
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‘The One Question I Ask When Patients Say They’re Constantly Bloated as a GI Doc’
Dr. Moore wants to know more about a person’s diet, not just the foods and beverages they consume. Instead, Dr. Moore regularly asks people who are “always bloated” whether or not they eat sugar-free gum. It’s unexpected, but Dr. Moore says sugar-free gum contains ingredients, including sugar alcohols, that can cause bloating.
Importantly, Dr. Moore doesn’t initially ask how often or how much a person chews sugar-free gum because “too much” varies by the person.
“Someone with IBS may be sensitive to lower amounts of sugar-free gum,” Dr. Moore says. “As little as 5 grams of certain sugar alcohols may be enough to cause digestive issues in some people. This is only around three to four pieces of gum per day. Others, however, may be able to tolerate much higher amounts without any issues.”
Related: The Surprising After-Dinner Habit That Can Cause Bloating and Heartburn
Can Sugar-Free Gum Cause Bloating?
A gastroenterologist says chewing sugar-free gum might cause bloating for some people, partly because of the sugar alcohols it may contain, like sorbitol, xylitol and mannitol.
“Sugar alcohols are commonly used in sugar-free gum to provide sweetness,” Dr. Moore explains. “Sugar alcohols, also known as polyols, are not totally absorbed by the intestines when broken down.”
When they reach the large intestine, Dr. Moore explains that bacteria ferment sugar alcohols. This process can trigger excess gas—hello, bloating and cramping. Plus, these sugar alcohols don’t get broken down completely, so Dr. Moore warns that they can pull water into the intestine and create osmotic diarrhea. (Good news: Osmotic diarrhea is temporary and stops when you remove the trigger, like sugar-free gum.)
What’s more, you likely know not to swallow your gum. But chewing gum—regular or sugar-free—can make you swallow more air.
“Saliva increases when chewing gum,” Dr. Moore explains. “The repetitive chewing motion can collect air in the saliva, which then moves down into your esophagus and into your stomach, where it collects.”
Dr. Moore notes that if you don’t burp it out, that saliva moves into your intestine, adding to the gas your digestive system already produces from fermenting the gum’s sugar alcohol.
“The combination of the two can both contribute to bloating,” Dr. Moore shares.
An older, small 2015 study of 16 people found that gum chewing can increase air swallowing and belching in people who already burp a lot, but not in those who don’t.
What about long-term?
“There’s no evidence that too much sugar-free gum can cause severe or irreversible damage to the gut,” Dr. Moore says.
Still, Dr. Moore says a few people who consume very high amounts of sorbitol-containing gum (16+ pieces per day) have experienced diarrhea, nutrient malabsorption and weight loss.
“However, this is very rare, and sugar-free gum typically only causes more IBS-like symptoms, gas, bloating, and diarrhea, without affecting nutrient absorption,” Dr. Moore emphasizes.
Related: Here’s Exactly What Happens to Your Gut Health When You Eat an Apple a Day
What to Do if Sugar-Free Gum Makes You Bloated
If you think sugar-free gum is why you’re always bloated, Dr. Moore says you have options. Here’s how to figure out whether it is (and what to do next).
Try stopping sugar-free gum for two weeks. Eliminate it. Then, see if your bloating has improved. Cut down. If the answer is “yes, my bloating improved when I stopped using sugar-free gum,” Dr. Moore says you’ve likely found the culprit. “If you resume sugar-free gum after this, try a smaller amount to see if that helps with the bloating,” Dr. Moore says. “If you were chewing 4-5 pieces per day, try only 1-2 pieces per day.” Read all labels and ingredients. “Consider changing to a different sugar-free gum with a different sweetener, as you may be more sensitive to one than the other,” Dr. Moore says.Either way, we hope your stomach feels…sweeter soon.
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Related: That Burning Feeling Isn’t Always Heartburn—Gastroenterologists Say These Clues Point To Something Else
Sources:
Prevalence and Associated Factors of Bloating: Results From the Rome Foundation Global Epidemiology Study. Gastroenterology. EFFECT OF GUM CHEWING ON AIR SWALLOWING, SALIVA SWALLOWING AND BELCHING. Archives of Gastroenterology. Sorbitol. CFPMFC. Severe weight loss caused by chewing gum. BMJ.Hence then, the article about i m a gastroenterologist this is the first question i ask when someone is always bloated was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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