those that are not ultra-processed, may help relieve bloating in some people,” he said.
Bloating affects as many as a third of Americans, including more than 90% of those with irritable bowel syndrome. It’s a painful buildup of excess gas created as gut bacteria break down fiber during digestion.
For the current study, the researchers used findings from a 1998-1999 trial. In that trial, the DASH diet — one low in fat and high in fiber, fruits, nuts and veggies — was compared with a low-fiber eating regimen. The trial’s goal was to learn how salt and other factors affected high blood pressure.
The new review found that about 41% on the high-fiber diet reported bloating, and men had a bigger problem with it than women. And diets high in salt increased the odds of bloating by 27%.
“We found that in both diets, reducing sodium intake reduced
