Bloating that can be experienced after a meal is certainly unpleasant, but you should know that there are causes as well as solutions! Firstly, it is important to know that there are three areas in your stomach that can cause bloating. Their causes and symptoms are varied, although no less real.

The stomach

• Gastric distension: Gastric distension is defined as the presence of excessive air in the stomach that can cause distension, leaving a feeling of being swollen and bloated. A meal rich in fat and sugar may be the cause.
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• Aerophagia : Aerophagia is a physiological phenomenon caused by the swallowing of a certain amount of air that enters the esophagus and stomach which can cause gas and bloating, among other symptoms.This condition is often caused by the ingestion of air into the stomach caused by eating too quickly and sucking in air. To counter this problem, eating slowly, chewing thoroughly, eating more protein and less carbohydrates (cereals, pasta, potatoes, legumes, dairy products) - except cheese - fruit, fruit juices and sweet sugary foods) is recommended. Avoiding gum is also recommended.
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The colon (large intestine)

• Gaseous distension : Gaseous distension is the enlargement of the colon as a result of the presence of large quantities of gas. Gaseous distension is the result of bacteria in the body that produce gas as a result of poorly digested food. When too much gas accumulates, flatulence, bloating and sometimes even spasms are experienced. To reduce these symptoms, you should reduce your intake of starchy foods (bread, pasta, potatoes...), cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower), fruits (especially very ripe) and raw vegetables. Fatty foods should also be avoided. When you consume rich and difficult to digest foods, the intestine has to work harder making you feel uncomfortable and gassy, or at least experience some level of intestinal congestion.
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The small intestine

1. Pneumobilia: Pneumobilia is the presence of air in the biliary tracts. Pneumobilia may be due to two causes; abnormal communication between the digestive tract and biliary tract, spontaneous fistula, or caused by surgery or by gas-producing germ infection (gangrenous cholecystitis, severe cholangitis). This condition is often not listed, however, children may experience pain in the small intestine frequently accompanied by an ear infection, sore throat or gastro-enteritis.

Involvement of probiotics

Some probiotics can be beneficial in reducing feelings of gas and bloating by helping to digest the food you eat. Probiotics improve digestionsince they can increase the digestibility of many nutrients consumed. Their main role is to promote the breaking down and absorption of certain foods. They also facilitate the breaking down of lactose into glucose and more complex carbohydrates than lactose. In this way, probiotics improve the use of food intake indirectly by acting on the intestinal microflora or epithelial cells of the host’s gastrointestinal tract. Probiotics improve digestion of food by stimulating the enzymatic activity of microorganisms. They also increase the activity of lactase, invertase and maltase of the gastrointestinal tract’s epithelial cells (enzymes important for digestion). Probiotics also improve the digestion of essential amino acids in the body by the secretion of protein-hydrolyzing enzymes (protease). Intestinal flora and certain probiotics appear to modulate intestinal permeability to proteins and macromolecules.

References

http://www.canalvie.com/sante/articles/ballonnements-et-flatulences-savoir-les-eviter-2043/

http://www.vulgaris-medical.com/encyclopedie/aerocolie-8148.html

1. L.J. Fooks and G.R. Gibson. Probiotics as Modulators of the Gut Flora. British Journal of Nutrition. 2002; 88: S39-S49.
2. Canal Vie. Site consulted September 21, 2011
3. http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/A%C3%A9rophagiesite consulted September 21, 2011.
4. Larousse, medical encyclopedia. Site consulted September 21, 2011. http://www.larousse.fr/encyclopedie/medical/a%C3%A9rogastrie/10997
5. Vulgaris médical. Site consulted September 21, 2011