If you’ve ever overindulged at a meal and experienced an uncomfortable sensation of fullness or a distended stomach, it’s a question you may have found yourself pondering.
Below, we speak to an expert and examine the evidence to find out if probiotics really can help with bloating. For example, one 2020 review published in the International Journal of Surgery demonstrated that probiotics alleviate symptoms of bloating in people with IBS. Yet another clinical trial found little difference in bloating symptoms between those taking probiotics and the placebo group.
Another factor is the type of probiotic. “Different strains have different effects on your body,” says Vishnumohan. If you choose the wrong one, it may not have the desired outcome. With bloating, the varieties with the most research evidence are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Be prepared for a transitional period of a few weeks while the body adjusts. Research published in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy suggests bloating is a common symptom during this phase, so the problem may get worse before it gets better.