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What Your Bloating Says About You
What Your Bloating Says About You
We talk a lot about bloating here at arrae. Our OG Bloat Capsules were the first product we launched with back in 2020, and ever since, we've been determined to bring these once-whispered conversations around bloating out of the ladies' room and into everyday life.
So, we'll be the first to agree that bloating isn't just uncomfortable. It can make you cancel plans, reset your entire wardrobe, and change outfits six times before walking out the door. And while it’s something everyone deals with, that doesn’t make it any less disruptive.
Finding lasting digestive relief starts with understanding what type of bloat you're dealing with.
The location of your bloat usually tells you a lot about what’s actually going on underneath the surface. Different areas of the abdomen are linked to different digestive patterns, triggers, and root causes.
Here’s how to tell the difference:
Detecting The 3 Different Kinds of Bloat
Type One: Upper Abdominal
Upper bloat tends to show up during or immediately after eating.
It feels tight, uncomfortable, and overly full fast. Sometimes after only a few bites. You may notice pressure around the upper stomach or chest that makes meals feel heavier than they should.
Type Two: Middle Abdominal
This is the bloat that just keeps getting worse as the day goes on, no matter how much or how little you’ve eaten. You wake up with a flat tummy, but by bedtime? Your stomach feels stretched, swollen, and impossible to ignore.
Type Three: Lower Abdominal
Our minds most often go to lower bloat when someone says they’re bloated. It gives that heavy ‘food baby’ feeling, sometimes accompanied by sharp gas pains.
This type of bloat is often characterized by pressure in the lower stomach, sluggish bowel movements, or the feeling that something just isn’t moving properly.
Causes & Natural Remedies
Upper Bloat
One of the body’s key digestive tools is stomach acid, which helps properly break down food and keep digestion moving efficiently. Without it, food gets stuck sitting at the top of our stomach and our body's natural resting temperature (98.6°) causes it to ferment. Excess fermentation creates gas that bubbles and leads to bloating.
A natural way to support healthy stomach acid production is by shifting into a parasympathetic state, also known as “rest and digest.” This is the state where the body prioritizes functions like digestion, recovery, and immune support. When we’re calm and regulated, the body can more effectively direct energy toward optimal digestion and stomach acid production. In contrast, being in a chronic sympathetic “fight or flight” state can slow digestion and impair digestive function.
One simple way to tap into your parasympathetic nervous system is by taking a few deep breaths before each meal. Upper bloating is most common during and after meals, so this technique actively prevents bloat before you take your first bite. We also love lemon balm (one of the key ingredients in our Bloat Capsules) to support healthy stomach acid production and smooth digestion.
Additionally, consider adding foods that are high in zinc into your diet. A few of our favorite zinc-rich ingredients include oysters, beef, crab, oats, pumpkin seeds, yogurt, beans, and nuts.
Middle Bloat
The causes of middle bloat can also be explained by fermentation, but for very different reasons. Bacterial imbalance in the gut, known as Dysbiosis, creates an overgrowth of bacteria that ferment carbohydrates too early in the digestion process. This leads to excessive fermentation, and therefore, more gas.
Now, we know digestive enzymes are all the rage, but which one’s most effective for stopping middle bloat? The protein-digesting enzyme Bromelain improves digestion while reducing swelling and inflammation. Derived from pineapple, it’s completely natural and works in harmony with your digestive system — just like ginger root, another powerful plant-based ingredient. Ginger root activates the system that clears bloat-causing bacteria from the gut. Pairing these ingredients with increased fiber creates an all-around healthier gut.
Pro Tip: Slowly increase your fiber intake for best results. A little bit goes a long way! Be gentle with your body and give it time to adjust.
Lower Bloat
This most common form of bloat and has dozens of potential causes. A few of the leading culprits include:
Impaired Gallbladder & Bile: Bile is a thick digestive fluid that’s stored in the gallbladder. Its job is to break down fat in the small intestine, which accumulates when we eat high-fat foods. When your gallbladder isn't functioning properly, bile slows down, which causes excess fat to sit in the small intestine. The fat then heats up and creates painful gas.
IBS: Those with IBS have a more sensitive digestive system than others, so even normal amounts of gas can feel painful and cause lower bloat.
Hormonal Imbalance: Fluctuations in progesterone and estrogen can lead to slowed digestion, increased water retention, and sudden changes in the bacteria within the gut microbiome.
Regardless of the cause, there's two star ingredients that work wonders for lower bloat relief. Organic Peppermint contains L-Menthol which relieves IBS symptoms, PMS cramps and gas. Slippery Elm creates a protective layer in the intestinal lining to clear out toxins and strengthen gut health.
Meet Your Debloating Bestie: arrae Bloat
arrae Bloat is clinically proven to reduce bloat in under 1 hour, making it your go-to for quick relief. With 5 natural herbs and a powerful digestive enzyme, it supports your body’s natural pathways for optimal digestion.
Meet The Ingredients:
Bromelain breaks down proteins in hard-to-digest foods
Ginger Root supports bacteria removal from the gut
Lemon Balm improves digestion and stomach acid production
Dandelion Root supports the production of bile
Organic Peppermint relieves IBS symptoms, PMS, cramps and gas
Slippery Elm creates clears out toxins and strengthens gut health
References
Eske, J. (2023, March 20). How can you naturally increase stomach acid?. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/how-to-increase-stomach-acid#6-natural-methods
Hasler W. L. (2006). Gas and Bloating. Gastroenterology & hepatology, 2(9), 654–662. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5350578/
Lacy, B. (2021, October 18). Bloating and Distension: Definitions and Causes. The Rome Foundation. https://theromefoundation.org/bloating-and-distension-definitions-and-causes/
What is bile?. Cleveland Clinic. (2024, May 13). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/what-is-bile
Why you feel bloated and what helps. Cleveland Clinic. (2026, May 4). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21740-bloated-stomach
Hormone-Balancing Inositol BlueberryChia Pudding Recipe
Hormone-Balancing Inositol BlueberryChia Pudding Recipe
Wild Blueberry Protein Chia Pudding with Cinnamon & Cultured Coconut Yogurt
Recipe by Steph Robinson
Ingredients:
- 1 stick of arrae Inositol
- 1 scoop of high-quality vanilla protein powder
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/4 cup wild blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1/2 cup unsweetened cultured coconut yogurt
- 1/2 tsp Ceylon cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp vanilla bean powder or extract
- Pinch flaky sea salt
- In a medium bowl or jar, whisk together almond milk and protein powder until smooth. Ensure there are no lumps.
- Stir in chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, arrae Inositol, and a pinch of sea salt.
- Gently fold in wild blueberries.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until pudding thickens.
- Before serving, stir the pudding well and top with coconut yogurt. Finish with a light sprinkle of cinnamon.
LAUNCH with Pia Mance | The Align Edit by arrae, Volume 12
LAUNCH with Pia Mance | The Align Edit by arrae, Volume 12
Welcome back to The Align Edit: an exclusive series from our favorite lifestyle creators & wellness experts to help you ALIGN with your highest potential.
This week, we welcomed our friend Pia Mance, Founder of Heaven Mayhem, to share her real-world playbook for building a brand that feels both effortlessly chic and deeply intentional. From the simple mindset shift that pushed her to launch (spoiler: you just start), to the Sunday ritual that keeps her looking polished all week, Pia opens up about the habits that keep her productive while running a fast-growing jewelry and accessories label.
This is the momentum (and the pep-talk) needed to LAUNCH you forward into the next chapter. Plus, how to move through it all with speed, grace, and impeccable style →
LAUNCH
with @piamance
What’s your favorite arrae product and why?
Pia Mance: Introducing arrae Bloat to my routine was a game changer. I carry it in my purse at all times, especially when I travel. As someone who’s constantly on the go, Bloat helps me feel my best and stay comfortable — no matter where I am in the world.
Walk us through a day in your life of the founder of Heaven Mayhem:
Pia Mance: Every day looks a little different, but a typical day starts with an early wake up, my ice roller and hot tea. Then, it’s a workout at home (Pilates by Bryony is my go-to). I try to be at the office by 8am, where I spend the day in calls, design meetings, and working with my team. Sometimes even taking calls on walks with my dog Wolfie, who’s at the office with me every day. Evenings are spent at home ordering Goop for dinner with my husband Cody, and finishing my night with a face mask.
Strawberry Protein Probiotic SmoothieRecipe
Strawberry Protein Probiotic SmoothieRecipe
Strawberry Protein Probiotic Smoothie Recipe
Recipe by Steph Robinson
Ingredients:
- 2 sticks of arrae Clear Protein+
- ¾ cup frozen strawberries
- ½ cup frozen cauliflower florets
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut kefir or probiotic yogurt
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
- ½ cup cold filtered water or unsweetened almond milk
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions:
- Place all ingredients into a high-speed blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping sides as needed.
- Taste and adjust lemon or water for desired consistency.
- Pour into a glass and garnish with a few frozen strawberries or a sprinkle of flax.
Protein: ~40g
Notes: Cauliflower is invisible in flavor but adds creaminess, fiber, and antioxidants.
Recipe by Steph Robinson | TikTok @stephrobinnson | IG @stephrobinnson
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