20 Popular Drinks That Cause Stomach Bloating
More often than not, people tend to look at the foods that can cause bloating and overlook the possibility that drinks can in fact cause it as well.
Read on to know which popular drinks are responsible for an annoying bloated stomach.
1. Tea
Although not all teas cause bloating, there is a small chance that some people may experience abdominal difficulties. Namely, the caffeine in the tea may cause this nasty side-effect in rare cases. According to Brigham and Women’s Hospital, teas that contain artificial sweeteners, such as sorbitol or mannitol, may also cause gas that leads to bloating.
Additionally, very hot drinks may have the same effect. If this unpleasant condition occurs every time you drink tea, you could have a sensitivity to one or more of the ingredients in your favorite drink. If you experience severe bloating after drinking some tea, perhaps you should switch to another type of tea that is more suitable for you. Even herbal teas can cause bloating and other painful abdominal symptoms. This happens because some herbal teas contain nontraditional ingredients.
On the other hand, there are some types of tea that will help you reduce bloating. Studies have shown that people who experience such problems should drink peppermint tea on a regular basis. Peppermint has antispasmodic properties that may relieve spasms in the gastrointestinal tract, bile duct and gallbladder. While doctors advise us not to drink too much fluid with meals, this rule doesn’t apply to peppermint tea. Due to its positive actions on the digestive system, drink a cup just before you start your meal, or even better, drink the peppermint tea while eating.
Just remember not to drink too much of this tea. Like with everything in life, moderation is the key. A cup or two a day is enough to get all the positive digestive benefits of drinking peppermint tea. Doctors also advise us to take a week off any herb or supplement from time to time.
2. Orange Juice
Fresh orange juice is the best source of vitamin C and fulfills an entire day’s worth of vitamin C in just one glass. That vitamin C protects our bodies in numerous ways and it’s no wonder that doctors always tell us to drink fresh orange juice on a regular basis.
And it’s not just the vitamin C. When you look at all the health benefits of fresh orange juice, you’ll see that it’s a rather long list. However, orange juice is also high in acid which can irritate your gastrointestinal tract, resulting in swelling and bloating.
Don’t get us wrong. Digestive problems are often linked to insufficient stomach acidity and since fresh orange juice increases the acidity in our stomachs, it should reduce bloating, right? Well, that is true if you drink it prior to a meal. However, if you want to improve your digestion, you shouldn’t combine it with most foods. Additionally, drinking any acidic juices while experiencing acid reflux can worsen nasty abdominal pain symptoms.
Natural orange juice shouldn’t be combined with carbohydrates such as bread, pasta or potatoes because the enzyme needed to properly digest them is destroyed by orange juice acids. When carbohydrate digestion is prevented, bacteria in your large intestine ferment. And fermentation causes gas, bloating and diarrhea.
Last but not least, orange juice shouldn’t be mixed with eggs, milk, cheese or meats because it will increase your risks of indigestion. Basically, just because some drinks are healthy doesn’t mean you should combine them with all types of foods. It is best to talk to a nutritionist about which food and drink combinations can harm your digestive system.
3. Soda
Soda is one of the most popular beverages and the most widely consumed all over the world, despite constant reminders of how bad it is for us. We know there’s nothing like a cold soda on a hot summer afternoon, but it is very bad for your health, and not just because it makes you bloated.
Soda contains high amounts of sugar, preservatives, chemical additives and caffeine, which are all carbonated and mixed together to create a drink. Thedrink’s fizziness can cause gas bubbles to form in your stomach, which leads to bloating. It gives you the feeling of fullness in your stomach.
It creates gas inside of you and causes your stomach to expand. A study at the University of San Antonio found that people who drank diet soda increased theirwaist line 6 times more than people who drank non-diet soda. Scary, right? Can you imagine eating 20+ packets of pure sugar a day?
Well, that’s exactly what you’re doing when you drink regular soda. When you digest this much sugar it gets converted into fat, and your blood sugar levels rise and droperratically, leaving you with sugar addiction. This kind of behavior makes you feel thirsty a lot. And yes, it leeches vitamin A, magnesium and calcium out of your body. Remember they are all necessary to help you lose weight. We’ll talk more about diet soda and other soft drinks in a little while. 
4. Processed Fruit Juices
Fruit juices can be handy when you’re on a trip or if you need a quick thirst quencher. However, the process of juicing that manufacturers follow normally strips the fruit of its healthy elements, namely fiber and essential nutrients. So what is left of what was originally a healthy and refreshing source of nutrients is water and sugar, lots of sugar.
Fructose, the sugar contained in fruits, when taken in high amounts can cause gas or acid influx. Fructose, a sugar found in fruits and sodas is a common cause of gas, bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Fructose intolerance is also common. A study presented by University of Kansas researcher Peter Beyer, RD, finds that nearly half of normal people get gas from fructose intake. This common fruit sugar is found in fruit juice and is used as a sweetener in some soft drinks.
It is absorbed in the small intestine and if our intake is more than a tolerable amount, the excess of it goes through the bowel and is finally fermented by bacteria. This sounds wrong, right? As a result, there might be diarrhea and gas. Therefore, you should try to avoid honey, some fruits, fruit juices and all smoothies. Remember, eating foods with glucose, another sugar, can help you better tolerate fructose. 
5. Milk
The high lactose content of milk makes it hard to digest for some people and it could cause bloating. Adults no longer have the natural ability to breakdown lactose as they did when they were younger. This inability causes the stomach to work twice as hard and can cause a lot of discomfort, especially for lactose intolerant people. Lactose is actually a milk sugar which is digested by an enzyme lactase that can be found in the small intestine.
If there’s no lactase, lactose will start its journey through your bowel and finally it will get to bacteria who will gladly use it to cause gas and diarrhea. Lactose intolerance is usually related to IBM, and is often temporary, but there are some restrictions in food intake to help the symptoms.
You can even try this 48-hour test to determine whether you are lactose intolerant. Try cutting out lactose intake, or train your body and intestine to deal with it. If you see that your body responds well after 48 hours, ask a dietician to prescribe you a nutritionally adequate diet. Note that small amount of milk in your coffee or black tea won’t cause a bloated stomach. 
6. Red Bull
Filled with glucuronolactone, a substance used in the Vietnam War to boost the morale of the American troops, Red Bull is an all-around dangerous drink. It contains caffeine and taurine, both of which are directly linked to stomach bloating. If you drink a lot of it, your problems will be exponentially multiplied, so, try to avoid the clever marketing and think about your health.
That energy you feel is artificially made in your body and will eventually cause worse issues than just bloating. According to “Advanced Nutrition: Macronutrients, Micronutrients and Metabolism,” taurine is an ingredient within bile and can be found in the intestines as well.
Inadequate amounts of dietary taurine can lead to weak bile and poorly digestion of fatty foods, which travels down into the large intestine and eventually cause problems such as lower abdominal bloating, cramping and tenderness, as well as diarrhea or loose stool. When you take too much Red Bull, you could have some serious side effects.
If you drink it over a prolonged period of time and then try to stop, you may feel withdrawal symptoms such as headaches, shaking and mood alteration, so afterward, you’ll pretty much need a period of detox until you start to feel like you don’t need it again. Some of the most common side effects of drinking Red Bull include tachycardia, tremors, agitation, headache, insomnia and dizziness.
7. Carbonated Water
As you probably guessed, all those bubbles have to go somewhere and that somewhere is usually your throat. You will be burping a lot if you’re lucky, but sometimes the stomach is in such trouble that even that doesn’t help.
You should drink it moderately or afteronly meals as a means of easing the feeling of fullness in your stomach. Despite the common belief that avoiding carbonated beverages will help prevent bloating, the opposite is actually true. Fizzy drinks can induce belching which helps to relieve the pressure from gas buildup in the stomach.
Carbonated water has been proven to be more effective than tap water in easing irritating symptoms of indigestion but it should be, as mentioned before, used only after meals. In fact, nothing is good for you if you don’t know when to stop. If you still feel bloated after reducing the number of glasses you take in daily, try drinking water flavored with lemon, lime, or cucumber.
You can also try some peppermint tea, which may help reduce the feeling of bloating. Also, peppermint tea is considered a stomach healer that can assist with irritable bowel syndrome, nausea, stomach aches, diarrhea or constipation. If you don’t drink carbonated water excessively, there are numerous benefits to your health. For example, it will lower your cholesterol levels and prevent heart disease and diabetes.
8. Vodka
Vodka is especially dangerous when it comes to bloating because it can cause much bigger problems. It doesn’t matter if you drink it moderately or not, it will cause trouble in your belly. The best advice is to stay away from it all together.
But, if you must enjoy a shot of this Russian delicacy, you should remember that as delicious as a shot of Smirnoff Lemon can be, it is more sugary and has nearly double the calorie count of a regular, unflavored vodka. Here is some information you may be interested in: vodka has 70 calories per shot; spiced rum (let’s say Captain Morgan’s) has 90; clear rum (Bacardi) has 105; gin has 116 and tequila has 120 calories per shot.
You get the point. If you really love a shot of vodka, stick to the regular and HQ vodka. Don’t drink flavored alcohol. They also have a lower alcohol level than unflavored version of it. At the end of the day, you will have triple the amount of calories, less alcohol, bloated stomach, impaired vision and you’ll probably never remember how you got home. Although we generally drink alcohol in order to relax and reduce stress, vodka can cause severe health problems.
The most damaging effect of vodka on the body is liver disease, also known as cirrhosis of the liver. Another threat is heart disease and high blood pressure (can lead to heart attack). Additionally, consuming vodka can result in the loss of brain cells which can eventually lead to brain damage. Excessive alcohol drinking can also cause alcohol poisoning which can be fatal. If you cannot stay away from vodka, drink it moderately and your body will be thankful to you!
9. Diet Sodas
Advertised as something new and almost healthy, it’s only new but not nearly healthy enough. Containing artificial acids and sweeteners, diet sodas are more dangerous than the regular ones.
Plus, they taste really bad, not that that’s a cause of bloating. It’s just another reason to not drink them. But, Americans really do enjoy their sodas! According to Beverage Digest, they consume more than 9 billion cases of it per year. What’s even more dangerous, people who are weight-conscious often opt for the diet version of it.
This cannot help them lose weight but can cause some other problems, such as bloating and, unfortunately for them, a weight gain. So, to make it clear, diet soda will most likely contribute to your weight gain, not weight loss, as you expected. Most of them contain caffeine, a diuretic that can deplete your body of water. Your body tries to conserve the remaining water, and you’re left with the feeling of dehydration.
Some of them even have high sodium levels. Sodium contributes to excessive feeling of thirst, so you do the math. When people are dehydrated, they tend to mistake that feeling with hunger, and then tend to eat more calories, which results in weight gain. Apart from gaining weight, diet sodas can seriously damage your health. Namely, they can lead to kidney and bone damage and cause reproductive problems.
Additionally, diet soda has negative effects on your teeth: people consuming soda had more rotting and missing teeth than the ones that stayed away from it. Since this beverage has no nutritional value and is even linked to depression, maybe you should consider replacing it with something healthier.
10. Sprite
The mixture of phosphoric acid and aspartame creates a ticking time bomb in your belly. Of course, this goes for all carbonated drinks, but because it is so sweet, Sprite is a bit more dangerous because it can be drunk in large quantities.
Carbonated liquids release carbon dioxide upon entering the stomach. Swallowing air can go pretty much unnoticed by the person doing it. You may even see people burping every 30 seconds. Of course, they will be silent and turning their heads away, but that’s a common problem. Most of these persons are very distressed by what they perceive as uncontrollable burping.
Sprite contains sugar, water and carbon dioxide infused into water to make it bubbly. Opening a bottle or can of Sprite allows the compressed carbon dioxide to form bubbles and escape into the air. The bubbly, fizzy feeling of Sprite in your mouth partly comes from the bubbles of CO2. Lots of it escapes from your mouth or resurfaces from your throat as a belch.
However, drinking lots of Sprite forces large amounts of the liquid into your stomach where the gas may pass to your intestines, causing bloating. Soft drinks such as Sprite are extremely popular and most people consume them on a regular basis. Apart from the abovementioned, Sprite contains a lot of sugar and sugar increases insulin levels – the consequences can vary from high blood pressure and cholesterol levels to diabetes and heart disease. Also, soft drinks have no nutritional value and will only make you fat. Osteoporosis and tooth decay are associated with this type of beverage! Next time you want to order a soft drink, think twice!
11. Dr. Pepper
Benzoate is the word to remember when we are talking about Dr. Pepper. Linked even with cancer, this dangerous chemical should be enough to persuade you to never drink Dr. Pepper again. Apart from causing intestinal problems and gas, it can lead to even more serious conditions… Here’s what scientific studies have learned so far.
Sodium benzoate is related to some serious health problems such as runny nose, headache, bloating, and even brain tumors. In a diet version of this drink there is NutraSweet,a.k.a aspartame, a chemical that stimulates the brain to believe that what you’re eating is sweet. It is linked to obesity because it causes cravings for sweets and furthermore, it leads to carbohydrate loading. It also contains phosphoric acid which can severely deplete the calcium levels in blood.
Since calcium is a key component of the bone matrix, this can increase the risk of osteoporosis. In some extreme cases, bladder cancer has been linked to diet sodas. Finally, there is also a physical issue that can occur when you drink too much of it. Even your teeth color could be dulled by it and it can cause bad breath. Having all this in mind, it would probably be best to find a tasty, healthy alternative to Dr Pepper.
12. Coffee
Some people cannot start their day without having a cup or sometimes, even two, of coffee. However, the caffeine in coffee can irritate the stomach and cause spasms that eventually lead to bloating. Instant coffee is more likely to do this to your stomach than freshly brewed coffee, as instant coffee contains certain processed chemicals to prolong its shelf life.
Also, coffee and acidic beverages are known to cause gastritis, an inflammation of the stomach lining and that can altogether can result in bloating. It is highly recommended that you avoid coffee if you have these conditions. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) often causes a swollen or bloated abdomen. Next time you go for your second coffee before going out, make sure your wardrobe can take the challenge and spread as you walk while your tummy gets expanded.
Coffee causes severe bloating in case you have some kind of condition that makes your stomach to become too sensitive, especially in the morning. As a result, this can cause unpleasant symptoms when menstruating and it’s highly advisable to eliminate caffeine consumption around your period. Drinking coffee may also restrict our kidneys’ ability to keep magnesium, calcium, zinc and other important minerals. Iron absorption in the stomach can be heavily reduced if coffee is taken at the same time as an iron rich meal.
13. Hot Chocolate
Unfortunately, even hot chocolate can cause stomach upset, bloating and gas. However, don’t fear – most people can enjoy hot chocolate in moderation without experiencing any health problems. On the other hand, some people are sensitive to one or more hot chocolate ingredients and may suffer from abdominal pain.
If you have experienced this more than once, we advise you to talk to your doctor and determine the problem. Fortunately, bloating is rarely a symptom of serious trouble. Most people should just cut down on the food and drinks that cause them bloating and the unpleasant condition will go away.
And of course, commercial instant hot chocolate may not be a good idea. It is always best to make your own healthy version. By making hot chocolate on your own, you’ll know all the ingredients and will be able to mix them up in a way that will suit you best. Besides, home-made hot chocolate has numerous health benefits. Apart from enjoying your favorite drink, you and your family will remain healthy.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School analyzed 21 studies that involved more than 2,500 participants and found that drinking chocolate is associated with reduced blood pressure, improved blood vessel health and lowering bad cholesterol and elevating good cholesterol. FSGate list the minerals in cocoa powder: “Just 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder contains 3 to 9 percent of the recommended daily intake of iron, manganese, magnesium and zinc.” There you have it. If you drink high-quality hot chocolate, you may completely avoid bloating and improve your health and overall well-being.
14. Beer
Now, who doesn’t love a pint of beer after a long day’s work? This popular drink, which can be healthy if consumed in moderation, can also cause bloating. The main components of beer are yeast and wheat, and both of these are not very easily digestible by many people’s bodies.That,along with the fact that beer is carbonated, is a definite recipe for bloated bellies.
Stomach bloating is caused by the carbon dioxide found in beer. In order to avoid bloating, it’s best to drink this beverage from a beer mug. Carbon dioxide gets released while beer is poured into the mug, so, it’s less harmful to your stomach. You should, however, pay attention to the beer head. If the foam looks fine, there is less carbon dioxide, and you’ll be less bloated.
There are a number of myths about beer. First of all, dark beer isn’t stronger than paler beers. Its color comes from the grain roasting process and it has nothing to do with the percentage of alcohol in the beverage. Beer’s alcohol content comes from the amount of sugar and malt used in the production process. The higher amount of sugar, the stronger the beer.
Another interesting fact is that beer can’t make you fat. Not really. It does, however, contain a lot of calories. Finally, both canned and bottledbeer are equally as good. However, exposing your beer to light may spoil it. That’s why beer is mostly found in brown bottles.
15. Tomato Juice
Like orange juice, tomato juice also has numerous health benefits. For example, tomato juice promotes colon and prostate health and also lowers bad cholesterol levels. You can talk to your doctor if you want to find out all the other possible health benefits of drinking tomato juice.
For instance, it improves your digestive system. Since tomato juice contains a lot of fiber, it has been known to prevent constipation.Tomato juice is also a natural antiseptic and can prevent diarrhea and common infections. Unfortunately, this is yet another tasty drink on our list that can cause stomach bloating. Namely, tomato juice contains the same acids that orange juice has. You should eat fruits such as tomatoes and oranges first, optimally an hour before other foods. This also applies to tomato and orange juices. Bloating is in most cases caused by a wrong mixture of foods and drinks.
If you want to avoid it, do not drink tomato juice while eating. However, another reason for experiencing bloating after drinking tomato juice might be tomato intolerance. If you are intolerant to tomatoes, you could probably still drink tomato juice in moderation, without experiencing an unpleasant reaction. Besides, you might be allergic to tomatoes.
Although it is rare, if you experience discomfort every time you drink tomato juice, make sure to check with an allergist whether the tomatoes caused the problems. The cause of tomato allergies is a reaction to the protein in the seeds, skin and juice of the tomato, especially with fresh tomatoes. Also, if possible, make your own tomato juice because it is healthier than commercial tomato juice. If you choose commercial juice, be sure the sodium level is within a healthy range for your daily intake.
16. Cocktails
The sky is the limit when it comes to cocktails! Although we might agree that cocktails are better than hard liquor, it still doesn’t mean they are good for you. When you choose a cocktail, make sure that it contains high quality alcohol and other fresh and healthy ingredients.
Because cocktails are mixed with fruits and other non-alcoholic beverages, pay special attention to the number of cocktails you order if you want to remember your evening. It’s probably easier to get smashed when drinking cocktails than regular alcohol because you won’t have the impression that you’re consuming hard liquors.
Most cocktails are calorie bombs and just because they look healthy doesn’t mean they are. Since they are high in calories, you could gain unwanted weight. When you mix alcohol with sodas and juices, a significant amount of sugar enters your system. Sugar is a type of carbohydrate and carbohydrates hold water which could lead to bloating. Further, the more sugar in your drink, the more calories enter your body.
For example, the Long Island Iced Tea contains up to 780 calories per glass and margarita up to 740. The figures are similar for most tropical cocktails. Sodium also makes you retain water, so a salty rim on your margarita also causes this unpleasant condition. It would be best to completely avoid alcohol, but if you can’t help yourself at least order cocktails that are mixed with fresh juices. Additionally, drink as much water as possible when you’re out partying.
17. Sports Drinks
Although sports drinks are great for professional athletes, most ordinary people just don’t need them. The carbohydrates in sports drinks provide a ready supply of energy to the working muscles, but they are also a major cause of stomach bloating. Like soft drinks, sport drinks should also be consumed in moderation.
Additionally, if you are experiencing discomfort while consuming them, it is best to avoid drinking them. Instead of opting for sports drinks, hydrate your body with plain water. Because sports drinks contain a lot of carbohydrates, a lot of people will experience stomach discomfort after drinking them. Carbohydrates cause bloating, burping and passing gas.
According to Dr. Joseph Mercola, an osteopathic physician and author of “The No Grain Diet,” almost 40 percent of the human race is unable to process carbohydrate sugars efficiently, resulting in intestinal bloating. By avoiding drinks that are packed with carbohydrates, you can reduce the symptoms of bloating and you’ll feel better in no time.
In addition, swallowing too much air leads to bloating. If you use a straw when consuming your drinks, or if you drink out of sports bottles, then swallowing too much air is probably the cause for your bloated stomach. However, there are other ways to swallow air. For example, talking while we eat, chewing on gum frequently or eating when on the move can also lead to stomach bloating. Of course, doctors advise us not to do any of those things. If you continue experiencing bloating even after you followed all the instructions, consult with your doctor.
18. Coca Cola
Coca Cola is probably the most famous soft drink in the world and that’s why we have to include it on our list. Although we’ve already talked about Sprite and Dr. Pepper, we need to mention Coca Cola because is consumed by literally every country in the world. Basically, millions and millions of people drink Coca Cola every day.
Because one glass of Coke can on average contain eight teaspoons of sugar, the more Coca Cola you drink, the more sugar enters your body. Of course, that can’t be a good thing for your health. We do not suggest that you avoid Coca Cola at all costs, but try to drink it moderately. Besides, kids should drink even less Coca Cola than adults, so give your little ones something healthier to drink instead of pouring them Coca Cola on a regular basis.
Coca Cola and other carbonated drinks contain the gas carbon dioxide and drinking a lot of Coke can cause bloated feelings in the stomach and digestive tract. A single 12 oz. can of Coca Cola contains around 33 grams of sugar, according to the USDA National Nutrient Database. This large amount of sugar could also cause bloating and unpleasant feelings in the abdomen.
Sugar-free colas may help prevent the added gas caused by fermentation, but you’ll still have problems with the gas from the carbon dioxide. If you drink less Coke, you’ll feel better and chances are the bloating will stop. However, if you regularly feel bloated, consult with a doctor, because some other food or drink may be causing the bloating.
19. Whiskey
Well, you are certainly aware that drinking whisky isn’t good for your health. We are not suggesting that people shouldn’t occasionally relax and order a glass of high quality whisky, but we have to be sincere and say that drinking any kind of alcohol can seriously damage people’s health.
Binge drinking can be especially dangerous. According to the renowned Mayo Clinic, moderate alcohol drinking can even have some health benefits. But what does moderate mean? ‘’If you choose to drink alcohol, do so only in moderation. For healthy adults, that means up to one drink a day for women of all ages and men older than age 65, and up to two drinks a day for men age 65 and younger.’’
‘’Heavy drinking is defined as more than three drinks on any day or more than seven drinks a week for women and for men older than age 65, and more than four drinks on any day or more than 14 drinks a week for men age 65 and younger. Binge drinking is defined as four or more drinks within two hours for women and five or more drinks within two hours for men.’’
Alcohol can cause severe stomach bloating, and unlike any other drink, it also causes the face to swell. Binge drinking encourages bloating, but it also leads to various other health problems. If you can’t help yourself, make sure to drink only high quality whiskey and make frequent breaks from drinking and order water. A glass of water between two drinks will help reduce the bloating. Besides, you won’t experience a horrible hangover if you drink enough water when you’re partying. That doesn’t mean you’ll be in the clear if you had way too much to drink.
20. Absinthe
The Green Fairy is one of the most controversial alcoholic drinks in the world. Although absinthe was banned in the United States and in some countries in Europe in the beginning of the 20th century, research has shown that absinthe’s psychoactive properties have been exaggerated.
However, absinthe is traditionally bottled at a high level of alcohol by volume and people should be especially careful when drinking the Green Fairy. Like other alcoholic beverages, absinthe can also damage a person’s health. While moderate alcohol use may offer some health benefits, heavy drinking has none whatsoever. We will not scare you with all the potential health risk of consuming absinthe and other alcoholic beverages, but will focus on stomach bloating.
As you’ve probably figured out, alcohol bloats both the stomach and the face. However, there are certain things you can do if you want to avoid bloating. For instance, eat well before consuming absinthe or any other alcoholic drink. An empty stomach will only add to the formation of gas. However, avoid eating food that causes bloating before drinking alcohol. Drink plenty of water. This will reduce the bloating and prevent a severe hangover in the morning.
If possible, avoid smoking. And last but not least, drink moderately and avoid binge drinking. We strongly recommend that you do not drink absinthe in excess, as the alcohol content is so high. Mind you, most absinthes are bottled at or above 70% alcohol by volume. Of course, it would be best if you could completely avoid absinthe.
