Yahoo Lifestyle I’m a GI Doc, and This Super-Common Habit Is Definitely Making You More Bloated
Hydration is always a good thing. And with the booming popularity of large, insulated water cups like Yetis and Stanleys, it’s easier than ever to make sure you’re getting enough H2O every day.
However, if you frequently sip your drinks through cups with straws, you may be making yourself more bloated.
That’s because the process of sipping through a straw introduces excess air into the gastrointestinal tract, a phenomenon known as aerophagia, explains Dr. David Clark, MD, gastroenterologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus at the Center for Ethics at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
“When you place a straw in a drink, it captures some air along with the liquid,” says Dr. Clarke. “This air travels to your digestive tract, leading to increased gas and bloating.”
How Straws Cause Bloat
Certain straws may cause more bloating than others. “A larger diameter straw will contain more air,” says Dr. Clarke, meaning that as you use it, you’ll also be swallowing more of it.
He adds that using a longer straw can also require stronger suction, resulting in more air being swallowed as well.
Consistent straw use is also a major cause. “The more a straw is used, the more air will enter the GI tract, and potentially the strength of the sucking (such as with a straw that partially collapses),” says Dr. Clarke.
One of the biggest culprits? Paper straws. While they may be better for the environment, they disintegrate when put in liquid, partially collapsing the hole where the liquid is sucked up through. “People suck harder when the straw partially collapses, and that leads to more air being pulled into the GI tract,” explains Dr. Clarke.
Besides sipping through a straw, it’s what’s in your cup that could be causing additional bloat and gas. “Carbonated beverages contain gas that enters your GI tract whether a straw is used or not,” adds Dr. Clarke.
Related: Dealing With Uncomfortable and Painful Stomach Bloat? These 40 Foods Will Help
How To Minimize Bloat
Ditching straws completely will help you avoid excess bloating. But If you don’t plan to stop sipping from a straw anytime soon, there are a few ways you can minimize your bloat.
“Try to suck gently,” says Dr. Clarke. “Don’t use straws that collapse (treated paper), but metal or hard plastic straws. Also, don’t eat too quickly and don’t talk while chewing.”
Thankfully, increased gas and bloating from sipping through a straw is not harmful, but may be uncomfortable until the gas passes through your body by belching (burping) or farting.
“Belching happens when the gas pressure in the stomach exceeds the pressure of the sphincter muscle at the junction of the stomach and esophagus,” explains Dr. Clarke. “If the pressure in the stomach does not exceed the pressure of the sphincter muscle, then the muscle contractions of the stomach and intestines propel the gas to the rectum. When the pressure in the rectum exceeds the pressure of the anal sphincter muscle, a fart is the result.”
But if you notice your bloating or gas being particularly uncomfortable or persistent (whether you use a straw or not), it could signal a bigger GI issue.
Related: This Is the #1 Best Supplement for Bloating, According to a Registered Dietitian
“Sometimes the bloating has an additional cause, such as a partial bowel blockage,” says Dr. Clarke. “The bowel can be partially blocked by inflammation (causing the tissue to swell), tumor (benign or malignant), scar tissue, or nerve/muscle disease that interferes with propulsive muscle contractions.”
He explains that gas and other intestinal content can get backed up like water behind a dam, which stretches the wall of the bowel 'upstream' from the obstruction–activating pain nerves.
“If the blockage is more severe, it can lead to more pain, then to vomiting and even rupture of the bowel wall,” warns Dr. Clarke.
Another possible cause? Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS. “Bloating can also result from increased muscle contractions in the GI tract that trap gas in pockets due to irritable bowel syndrome,” adds Dr. Clarke. “The abnormal bowel muscle contractions of IBS can cause bloating, diarrhea, constipation, and abdominal pain plus, in some people, nausea or urgency to have a bowel movement.”
If you notice you have persistent bloating symptoms (whether you’re using a straw or not), you should be checked by a physician.
“Your primary care doctor can determine if you should have the specialized testing (such as an endoscopy or colonoscopy) that a gastroenterologist performs,” says Dr. Clarke.
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Related: Ugh, Why Am I So Gassy? Here Are 8 Common Reasons, According to GI Docs
Sources
Dr. David Clarke, MD, gastroenterologist and Clinical Assistant Professor of Gastroenterology Emeritus at the Center for Ethics at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU).
