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
