Why You're Bloated and How to Address It (2025)
Nearly 18% of the world’s population experiences bloating at least once a week (1), particularly women, who are twice as likely to feel bloated as men. In the U.S., nearly 1 in 7 Americans have experienced bloating in the past week (2). Bloating, a sensation of fullness, tightness, or swelling in the abdomen, often results from gas buildup in the digestive tract. It may be accompanied by abdominal pain, discomfort, and visible distention. While common, bloating is not a normal state for digestion and could indicate an imbalance in gut health. Bloating Is a Sign of an Unhealthy Gut "If you're bloated or you have lots of gas, you may have a disrupted composition and function of the gut microbiome," microbiome researcher Gail Cresci told CNET (3). The microbiome, which consists of trillions of microorganisms living in your digestive tract, plays a crucial role in digestion, immune function and overall health. An imbalance in these microorganisms, known as dysbiosis, can cont...