- Long working hours, late-night meals, reduced physical activity and growing dependence on packaged foods have all contributed.
- Dr. Berg recommends reducing refined carbohydrates, packaged foods and excessive fiber, while increasing easily digestible proteins such as eggs, fish and meat (where diet permits). Intermittent fasting may also help by giving the digestive system time to recover.
- Experts warn that bloating is not a trivial complaint — it signals stress on the digestive system. With better food choices and improved gut health, many Indians can ease bloating and gradually reduce abdominal swelling.
India is experiencing a sharp rise in abdominal bloating and protruding stomachs, a trend affecting people across all age groups — including those who are not overweight.
Health specialists say this surge reflects deeper digestive issues tied to modern lifestyles and changing diets.
Long working hours, late-night meals, reduced physical activity and growing dependence on packaged foods have all contributed, reports the Financial Express.
But according to nutrition researcher Dr. Eric Berg, the primary cause isn’t simply body fat. He says many Indians are developing pot bellies due to hidden digestive problems such as fatty liver, chronic bloating, indigestion and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).
Dr. Berg noted on X (formerly Twitter) that the issue is often “not just fat; it’s fermentation in the gut.” India’s grain- and lentil-heavy diet, combined with low protein intake, can lead to excessive fermentation, resulting in gas and abdominal swelling.
He compared this effect to herbivores like goats, whose bellies expand from fermenting large quantities of fiber — a process humans aren’t built to handle in excess.
The rise in ultra-processed foods has compounded the problem. Packaged snacks, sweets, instant meals and bakery items contain additives that damage the gut lining and fuel harmful bacteria.
Frequent use of antacids, common among Indians with acidity issues, further weakens digestion by lowering stomach acid and promoting bacterial overgrowth.
Doctors say many digestive issues go unnoticed because routine checkups rarely assess dietary habits or gut health. Patients are often treated for symptoms rather than underlying causes.
Dr. Berg recommends reducing refined carbohydrates, packaged foods and excessive fiber, while increasing easily digestible proteins such as eggs, fish and meat (where diet permits). Intermittent fasting may also help by giving the digestive system time to recover.
He cautions that supplements like betaine hydrochloride can support stomach acid levels but should be avoided by people with ulcers or gastritis.
Experts warn that bloating is not a trivial complaint — it signals stress on the digestive system. With better food choices and improved gut health, many Indians can ease bloating and gradually reduce abdominal swelling.
