Relief for Your Stomachache

Who among us has not had an unpleasant experience with overeating? These kinds of stomach aches, and other digestion problems, are something we do not enjoy. But, if we cannot avoid such problems, we will welcome anything that offers fast relief!

Carbonated water eases the symptoms of some forms of stomach ailments as well as easing constipation. This is something that I had to learn the hard way, which, unfortunately, is usually how I learn all my lessons.

My main symptom of stomach problems is feeling bloated from fullness in the upper abdominal region after overeating — something I do a lot. Normally, I just suffered; then I started working for a man who would always take water and baking soda whenever he had these symptoms. One day, feeling really miserable, I tried his remedy; soon, I felt much, much better.

Naturally, I set out to learn why this works so well. This was long before antacid medications were sold over the counter (OTC) and also long before people could run to the doctor with every stomach problem, ache, or pain. Basically adding baking soda with water produces carbon dioxide gas with bubbles and somehow the bubbles and the ingredients form a solution that aids the movement of the digestive tract, relieving some of the complications from overeating – that bloated feeling goes away.

This adding baking soda and water actually forms carbonated water which has been used for years to treat digestive complaints, yet no research exists if it is effective or how it works. I did find some information about studies showing that both the bubbles of carbon dioxide and the presence of high minerals can improve the digestive process. Basically, this is what I was making with water and baking soda. There was no other information on which component — the mineral-rich carbonated water or the bubbles — is more effective.

I found some suggestions for stopping these problems before they develop, such as avoiding foods that cause you stomach problems, eating smaller meals, eating much less fat, and if you smoke, stopping as soon as possible. Also everyone should drink a healthy amount of fluids to maintain movement of your GI tract and reduce the chance of constipation.

I read about some devices to make homemade carbonated water, which you can use for drinking. By adding a number of flavors to carbonated water, an option to regular soda pop is created, which is especially great if you want to avoid the calories. If you make this homemade drink with water rich in minerals, you have made available a very healthy and low calorie drink, called sparkling water, which is good for your whole family. A large assortment of calorie free flavors to flavor sparkling water to great taste is sold at allfreight.com.

From personal experience I can tell you this: if you have overeaten but feel absolutely miserable and must work for the rest of the day, carbonated water does help.