Higher salt intake can cause gastrointestinal bloating, says study

New Delhi, July 01 (ANI): People tend to report more gastrointestinal bloating when they consume a diet high in salt, recent findings suggest. The scientists re-analysed data from a large clinical trial-the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension-Sodium trial (DASH-Sodium)-conducted two decades ago, and found that high sodium intake increased bloating among trial participants. The researchers also found that the high-fiber DASH diet increased bloating among trial participants compared to a low-fiber control diet. The study was published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology. Bloating is estimated to affect up to a third of U.S. adults overall, and more than 90 per cent of those with irritable bowel syndrome. Bloating features a buildup of excess gas in the gut. The production of gas can be attributed to gas-producing gut bacteria breaking down fiber. There is also some evidence that sodium can stimulate bloating. According to the researchers, the study is the first to examine sod