Unbloat review | Fortune Recommends Health

Bloating is one of the most common (albeit irritating) gastrointestinal symptoms adults struggle with, and 18% of the global population experiences it at least once per week. (

1)

While most of us are familiar with at least the occasional feeling of trapped air, a heavy fullness, or uncomfortable distension, it can start to interfere with our quality of life if we deal with it frequently.

Unbloat is a nutrition supplement that uses

blends of probiotics

, fiber, prebiotics, enzymes, herbs, and other nutrients to combat bloating.

In this comprehensive Unbloat review, I’m breaking down the science behind each ingredient, dose, and my expert thoughts on the proprietary blends used in this digestive support supplement. I’ll also dive into who might benefit from this supplement, who should stay away from it, and if its value really lives up to the hype. If you’re searching for a way to relieve persistent bloating, read this Unbloat review before adding it to your regimen.

Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider.

Unbloat overview

Unbloat is formulated to reduce bloating caused by irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), periods, and other digestive ailments. With less bloating, the manufacturer claims you’ll have a slimmer waistline, a stronger immune system, more energy, increased nutrient absorption, and improved digestion of the food you eat. Given the ingredients used, these claims may have some truth to them as long as each serving includes effective doses of the active ingredients.

While some of the ingredients may lead to immediate improvements in digestive symptoms (like herbal extracts including ginger and peppermint), it could take a few weeks to a few months to notice the beneficial effects of an improved gut microflora from the 25 billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of probiotics and

prebiotic fibers

. (

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) While there’s no universal recommendation for CFU amount, 25 billion CFUs is aligned with many common probiotics on the market. The amount of probiotics needed depends on the strain, with some strains like

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum

improving constipation at doses as low as 100 million CFUs and over 36 billion CFUs needed to

improve IBD symptoms

. (

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)

Unfortunately, because proprietary blends are used and only the overall amounts of each blend are included, it’s impossible to determine the individual doses of things like digestive enzymes, probiotic strains, and herbal extracts. So if any strain in particular is needed, there’s no way to tell which amounts are provided in this blend.

At over $2 per serving, we’d love to see some third-party testing to verify the purity and potency of this supplement or at least some certifications backing up claims of gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Unbloat ingredients

Folate

Each dose has 850 micrograms DFE of folate, or 213 percent of the daily value (DV). Recent research has found that supplementing with this water-soluble

B vitamin

may help improve the balance of good vs bad bacteria in the gut microbiome. In one study, supplementing with folic acid increased the fermentation of isobutyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid that helps to maintain the integrity of intestinal cells and reduce inflammation. (

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,

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)

Magnesium citrate

If constipation is the cause of your bloating, 70 milligrams of magnesium citrate may help move things along. Used as a laxative at much higher doses of 195 to 300 milligrams, magnesium citrate helps pull water into the intestine, softening stool and making it easier to pass. A lower dose of just 70 milligrams per serving may help improve regularity but isn’t likely as effective as an actual laxative (which is a good thing as it’s meant to be taken daily, not just as needed for constipation). (

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) This can help create a daily regular balance when it comes to bowel movements.

Probiotics

Unbloat includes 25 billion CFUs of a blend of seven live bacterial strains, including:

• 
  L. casei
  
• 
  B. lactis
  
• 
  L. plantarum
  
• 
  L. acidophilus
  
• 
  L. rhamnosus
  
• 
  B. longum
  
• 
  B. bifidum
  

Many of these probiotics have been studied for their beneficial effects on the

gut microbiome

, helping to increase the diversity of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

L. rhamnosus

has been extensively studied as it has a great survivability and adhesion rate to the intestines. (

7

)  In one study of people with abdominal pain related to IBS, those taking

L. rhamnosus

had significant improvements in pain and symptoms compared to those who received the placebo. (

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)

Bifidobacteria

strains have also been extensively studied for their beneficial gut-health properties, with

B. lactis

helping to fight infection in the gastrointestinal tract and

B. longum

and

B. bifidum

reducing inflammation. (

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)

A diverse population of beneficial bacteria in the gut can help improve digestion. Although Unbloat does not disclose how much of each bacteria strain is included in the bottle, they do guarantee that the cultures will remain stable at room temperature for 18 months.

Prebiotic fiber

Each serving contains 276 milligrams of prebiotic fiber in the form of partially hydrolyzed guar gum, or SunFiber. While prebiotic fiber helps feed the good bacteria in the digestive tract, research shows the beneficial effects of supplementing with partially hydrolyzed guar gum occur with doses of 3 grams per day. (

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) It also helps the chances of survival through the digestion process as it moves through to the intestines. The amount included in Unbloat contains significantly less of this prebiotic fiber than 3 grams, with under half a gram per serving.

Digestive enzymes

Your body naturally contains a number of digestive enzymes to help digest, absorb, and utilize the specific proteins, fats, and sugars you eat. Prescription digestive enzymes are used by people who have true digestive enzyme deficiencies that cause significant abdominal pain or malabsorption and malnutrition, but some over-the-counter digestive enzymes can help some people digest certain things more easily.

If you have lactose intolerance, taking a lactase enzyme can help reduce discomfort and bloating after eating dairy products. The popular digestive enzyme supplement Beano includes the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, which the body doesn’t produce naturally, to help digest galactooligosaccharides, a non-absorbable fiber found in beans, root vegetables, and dairy. (

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)

Unbloat contains a number of digestive enzymes, including lactase and alpha-galactosidase, and additional enzymes to help digest various sugars and proteins. Unfortunately, we don’t know how much of any one enzyme is included; just that there are 21 various enzymes totaling 40 milligrams.

Bowel support nutrients

To help support healthy bowels, Unbloat includes 198 milligrams of combined sodium alginate and L-leucine. Sodium alginate plays a role in fighting inflammation in the gut, improving gut barrier strength, and may also help improve stool form and short-chain fatty acid production. (

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,

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) L-leucine is an amino acid that research has found to have a positive influence on intestinal function and cell development. (

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) Again, we can’t determine if the amount of either ingredient included in this supplement is potent enough to have a noticeable effect.

Herbs

To ease digestive symptoms like bloating, gas, and stomach pain, Unbloat includes several herbs with anti-inflammatory and carminative (anti-gas) properties. This includes:

• Fennel seed
• Ginger root extract
• Turmeric root extract
• Milk thistle extract
• Spirulina algae
• Peppermint leaf extract

Fennel and

turmeric

have potent anti-inflammatory properties that may help support a healthy gut microbiome. Fennel has been used for centuries to treat digestive disorders, and research has found that it may even help protect the intestinal barrier. (

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) Curcumin, the active ingredient in turmeric, has also been found to help fight gut dysbiosis and support proper intestinal function. (

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)

While reducing inflammation with fennel and turmeric may have long-term benefits, peppermint and ginger can provide more immediate relief. Peppermint acts as an antispasmodic and provides several other benefits to digestion to help relieve bloating, abdominal pain and discomfort, excess gas, and irregular bowel movements. In one study, people with IBS who took peppermint oil daily had a 20 percent improvement in symptoms within 24 hours, significantly larger than the placebo group. (

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) Ginger has also been historically used to help treat gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, bloating, and discomfort, and recent research supports its effectiveness in improving these symptoms. (

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)

And while milk thistle is traditionally used to support liver health, some research has found that it may help improve gastric emptying time, keeping food moving through your digestive system. (

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) Though milk thistle could actually cause bloating for some people, so it should really be used with caution for digestive complaints. (

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)

How Unbloat works

Unbloat is a digestive supplement that should be taken daily. It’s recommended to take two capsules daily, 30 minutes before or after a large meal, to help relieve bloating. Some people may need to take an extra pill each day, especially if eating another meal that typically would cause digestive upset or bloating.

While the company claims you’ll feel some relief from day one, the biggest benefits will be seen after 6 to 8 weeks of taking it regularly.

What customers are saying

Unbloat has an average rating of 3.7 out of 5 stars on Amazon and features some mixed reviews. While some customers feel this product has significantly helped their digestive concerns, others claim it made them feel worse.

And while it may reduce bloating, it’s not without side effects for everyone. Reviewer Brianna C says, “The capsules are easy to swallow. I usually take them after breakfast and it eases any discomfort I might have otherwise, especially digesting carbs and sugars.”

However, because everyone’s digestive system is different, not everyone found the results to be so effective. “I’ve been using high quality targeted digestive enzymes and probiotics for 10+ years and they really help. I added unbloat, falling for the hype, and after a month of using it daily, my gas and bloating has gotten wayyyy worse. Back to my usual routine that worked well,” says reviewer K.R., while reviewer Iliana C. says, “I didn’t do it for me! It made me feel more bloated and constipated!”

Specs

We’ve featured Unbloat in:

Who Unbloat is recommended for:

Unbloat could be beneficial for anyone who struggles with regular bouts of:

• Constipation
• Bloating
• Gas
• Abdominal discomfort after eating

Regular bouts of abdominal symptoms could be once or more per week. If you’re experiencing severe symptoms three or more days per week, it’s important to talk with your healthcare provider to rule out any serious underlying condition. Since Unbloat is dairy-free, vegan, and free from soy, nuts, shellfish, and sesame, it’s suitable for people with many allergies and dietary restrictions as well.

Who Unbloat is not recommended for:

• People who are pregnant or breastfeeding
• People under the age of 18
• People with certain medical conditions

Although Unbloat claims that they are safe for anyone over the age of 18 (including people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, as per their FAQs), some of the ingredients used are contraindicated for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or trying to get pregnant at higher amounts so it really should be a discussion with your doctor if you use Unbloat while pregnant or breastfeeding.

If you have any medical condition or take medication, you may also want to check with your healthcare provider before using Unbloat to make sure no ingredients will react with current medications or be contraindicated for your health.

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