Why Am I Bloated? Common Contributors & When to Get Help
Bloating is the sensation of abdominal fullness, pressure or swelling. Gas can contribute, but bloating is not always “too much gas,” and a supplement marketed for a flatter belly cannot diagnose the cause.
Reviewed September 2026. This page is educational, not medical advice.
Gas and fermentation
Carbohydrate fermentation by gut microbes can generate gas. Foods and prebiotic supplements that increase fermentation may improve one goal while temporarily worsening gas or bloating in some people.
Constipation
Stool retention and slowed transit can contribute to fullness and abdominal distention. If bloating improves after a bowel movement, constipation may be part of the picture, though not necessarily the only cause.
Other contributors
Meal size, swallowed air, menstrual-cycle changes, food intolerances, gut-brain sensitivity and medical conditions can all play roles. Persistent bloating should not automatically be labeled “poor gut health.”