Still Bloated? – The 5 Hidden Causes Sabotaging Your Gut and How to Fix Them Naturally
- Brainz Magazine
- Apr 25
- 4 min read
Written by Beth Levis, Founder and CEO
Beth Levis is the founder of By Beth, a premium bovine collagen brand focused on skin health, gut health & vitality. With a background in retail & manufacturing, she transitioned to beauty after uncovering the powerful connection between gut health, skin & energy. She also hosts the With Beth podcast and YouTube channel, educating women on wellness.
You’ve cut dairy. You’ve sworn off gluten. You’ve tried drinking more water, eating more fiber, and skipping dessert. And yet by mid-afternoon, your jeans feel tight, your belly looks swollen, and you’re left wondering: “What am I doing wrong?”
Here’s the truth: bloating isn’t always about food. In fact, many of the most common causes of bloating have nothing to do with gluten, dairy, or carbs, and everything to do with how your gut is functioning under the surface.
In this article, I’ll share the 5 hidden causes of chronic bloating, backed by science and seen in countless women I’ve worked with. Most importantly, I’ll show you how to fix it naturally without restrictive diets, supplements overload, or guesswork.
1. You’re eating too fast
Let’s start with one of the most overlooked culprits: eating speed.
When you eat quickly, you swallow more air. This air gets trapped in your stomach, causing uncomfortable pressure and visible bloating.
According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, those who ate too quickly were 2.5 times more likely to experience post-meal bloating.
Fix it: Slow down. Chew 20-30 times per bite. Put your fork down between mouthfuls. Even using chopsticks can help you become more mindful and reduce bloat within a day.
2. Low digestive enzymes
Digestive enzymes are your gut’s natural tools to break down food and absorb nutrients.
When you don’t produce enough, especially after stress, poor diet, or aging, food lingers in your stomach and ferments. The result? Gas, bloating, and sluggish digestion.
A 2021 study in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Science found that individuals with enzyme deficiency experienced three times more bloating than those with normal enzyme function.
Fix it: Boost your enzymes naturally with apple cider vinegar (ACV), papaya, pineapple, or fermented foods. Try sipping 1 tsp of ACV in warm water 10 minutes before meals.
3. You’re reacting to “healthy” foods
Yes, really.
Cruciferous veggies (broccoli, kale, cauliflower), beans, lentils, and even high-fiber fruits like apples and pears are all high in FODMAPs, a group of carbohydrates that ferment in the gut and cause gas.
If you feel bloated after eating “clean,” FODMAPs might be to blame.
Fix it: Try an elimination test. Remove common triggers for 5-7 days and slowly reintroduce. Cooked vegetables are also easier to digest than raw.
4. Your gut bacteria are out of balance
Your gut houses trillions of microbes, some good, some harmful. When the bad guys take over (a condition called dysbiosis), you’ll feel it. Bloating, inflammation, breakouts, even fatigu,e these are all signs your gut flora is off.
In fact, a 2022 study in the Journal of Digestive Health found that 80% of people with chronic bloating had signs of bacterial imbalance. Fix it:
Reduce sugar, alcohol, and processed food (these feed the bad bugs)
Add probiotics with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium
Eat fermented foods like sauerkraut, kefir, or kimchi
And consider collagen more on that below
5. You’re dehydrated
If you’re bloated and constipated, dehydration is likely part of the problem.
Water is essential to move food through your digestive tract. Without it, waste builds up and gas gets trapped.
One study in the Journal of Gastrointestinal Health showed that staying properly hydrated reduced bloating by 40% in individuals with slow digestion.
Fix it: Drink a large glass of water first thing in the morning, before your coffee. Sip throughout the day (not just with meals), and add electrolytes if needed.
The one mistake even “healthy eaters” make
You’ve tried every diet. You’ve avoided every trigger food. But there’s one root cause of bloating that few people talk about: stress.
Chronic stress activates your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight), which shuts down digestion. That means trapped gas, slowed motility, and inflammation.
A 2021 study in The Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that high stress levels delayed digestion by up to 50%, increasing bloating, constipation, and gut permeability. Fix it:
Deep belly breathing before meals
Better sleep (7–9 hours)
Less caffeine
Gentle movement (like walking or yoga)
Why your gut is the real issue (and the solution)
When you fix your gut, bloating fades.
But more importantly, your skin glows. Your mood lifts. Your energy returns. Here’s what your gut controls:
Nutrient absorption (needed for digestion, energy, and skin health)
Inflammation control (to stop bloating and skin flare-ups)
Gas and fluid balance (for that flat-belly feeling)
When your gut lining is damaged, commonly called leaky gut, toxins, undigested food, and bad bacteria escape into your bloodstream. The result? Chronic bloating, breakouts, fatigue, and more.
Healing starts with collagen
Your gut lining is made up of collagen.
Specifically, amino acids like glycine, proline, and glutamine, which help repair and seal your gut wall.
A 2023 study in the Journal of Digestive Health found that supplementing with hydrolyzed collagen peptides improved gut barrier integrity by 33%, significantly reducing bloating and discomfort.
Final takeaway: Bloating isn’t normal, but it is fixable
You don’t have to live with daily bloating.
You don’t have to guess, restrict, or beat yourself up.
You just need to support your gut and give it the right tools to heal.
That’s why I created By Beth Bovine Collagen, a pure, pasture-raised, Australian-sourced collagen designed to support your gut lining, soothe inflammation, and bring your body back into balance.
No fillers. No additives. Just potent, functional beauty from the inside out.
A happy gut = a flat, happy belly.
Watch the full video here.
Follow me @beth.levis for more simplified health tips for women.
Want to heal your gut naturally? Try By Beth Collagen and feel the difference.
Beth Levis, Founder and CEO
Beth Levis is the founder of By Beth, a premium bovine collagen brand dedicated to empowering women over 30 to rediscover their confidence and vitality. With a background in one of Australia's largest and most iconic fashion houses - Australia's largets clothing manufacturer - Beth spent years immersed in retail and manufacturing before shifting to beauty. Her own struggles with skin health led her to uncover the transformative power of collagen, inspiring her to create By Beth. Frustrated by the limitations of convenitonal beauty products, she developed supplments designed to restore skin, energy and overall well-being from within. Through By Beth, she helps women achieve lasting radiance and confidence, redefining beauty from inside out.
