The Bloat Pills Formula Explained

Bloat Pills is smööts' gut health and digestive comfort formula, made for anyone whose stomach feels distended, gassy or unpredictable after meals. It combines a probiotic, a prebiotic fibre, an amino acid studied for gut lining support, a mineral compound used in gut and stomach research, and ginger, one of the best-studied digestive botanicals. It is meant as ongoing, gentle support for everyday digestive comfort, not a treatment for diagnosed conditions such as IBS, coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease.

60 vegan capsules per pot, 2 a day = a 30-day supply. Each capsule combines Probiotics, Inulin, L-Glutamine, Zinc Carnosine and Ginger. Because this formula includes Zinc Carnosine, its zinc content is set against the EU's Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) for zinc, as set out in Annex XIII of Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011.^[1]

Probiotics in Bloat Pills

Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, are intended to support the balance of bacteria already living in the gut.^[2] They are included in Bloat Pills because an imbalanced gut microbiome is one of several factors linked to bloating, gas and irregular bowel habits.

Probiotic research in this area is large but strain-specific, meaning results for one strain do not automatically apply to another. In a randomised, dose-ranging trial in 362 women with IBS, a specific Bifidobacterium strain taken daily for four weeks significantly improved abdominal pain, bloating and overall symptom scores compared with placebo, at the optimal dose tested.^[3] A 2024 meta-analysis pooling 23 randomised trials and over 3,000 participants found probiotics, taken together as a category, significantly reduced abdominal pain and bloating scores compared with placebo.^[4] A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 randomised controlled trials concluded that probiotics as a group were superior to placebo for global IBS symptoms and abdominal pain, though the authors noted the quality of evidence was generally low to moderate.^[5] A more recent systematic review focused specifically on symptom subtypes found that benefit varied meaningfully by which strain was studied and which symptom was measured.^[6]

This strain-specificity is the most important limit to flag honestly: "probiotics" as a category is not one thing, trial results vary a great deal between strains and doses, and pooled meta-analyses can overstate how confident we should be about any single product. We are including a probiotic blend on the strength of the wider category evidence for bloating and abdominal comfort, while being clear that not every probiotic strain has been tested, and that individual response varies.

Inulin in Bloat Pills

Inulin is a naturally occurring prebiotic fibre found in chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke and other plants. Unlike probiotics, which add bacteria, inulin works by feeding the beneficial bacteria already living in the gut, particularly Bifidobacteria, which ferment it into short-chain fatty acids linked to gut and metabolic health.

In a randomised, placebo-controlled trial in adults with functional constipation, four weeks of daily chicory inulin improved stool frequency, constipation-related quality of life and abdominal symptoms compared with placebo, alongside an increase in butyrate-producing gut bacteria.^[7] A multicentre randomised, placebo-controlled trial in people with obesity found that daily inulin for three months produced favourable shifts in gut bacteria and metabolic markers compared with placebo.^[8] A systematic review of human studies confirmed inulin consistently increases Bifidobacteria across multiple randomised trials, though it noted this shift in bacterial populations did not always translate into the expected rise in short-chain fatty acid levels measured in stool.^[9] A separate randomised, placebo-controlled trial found inulin-type fructans produced highly individual, person-specific changes in gut bacteria composition, with some people responding much more than others.^[10]

We want to be direct about an irony here: inulin itself is a well-documented cause of temporary bloating and gas when it is first introduced or taken in higher amounts, precisely because it ferments in the gut. In the obesity trial above, bloating in the inulin group was more noticeable in the first month before settling to placebo-like levels by three months.^[8] This is why Bloat Pills uses a modest amount of inulin rather than a high prebiotic dose, and why anyone with a known sensitivity to fermentable fibres (FODMAPs) should introduce it gradually or speak to a doctor or dietitian first.

L-Glutamine in Bloat Pills

L-Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid in the bloodstream and is the preferred fuel source for the cells lining the small intestine. It is included in Bloat Pills for its studied role in supporting the structure of the gut lining, which is thought to be relevant to bloating and discomfort linked to a more permeable ("leaky") gut barrier.

The clearest clinical signal comes from a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults who developed diarrhoea-predominant IBS with increased intestinal permeability after a gut infection. Eight weeks of oral glutamine (5 g three times a day) produced a large reduction in IBS severity scores in almost 80% of the glutamine group compared with under 6% of the placebo group, alongside measured improvements in gut permeability.^[11] In people with Crohn's disease, a randomised controlled trial found glutamine combined with whey protein improved intestinal permeability and gut lining structure compared with standard care.^[12] A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on glutamine and gut permeability found a generally favourable, though mixed, pattern of results depending on the population studied and how permeability was measured.^[13] A mechanistic review summarising how glutamine regulates tight junction proteins in the gut wall explains the biological rationale behind these clinical findings.^[14]

The strongest human trial here was conducted in a specific, medically diagnosed group (post-infectious IBS-D with measured hyperpermeability), not in the general population with everyday bloating, so its very large effect size should be read with that context in mind rather than assumed to generalise directly to occasional bloating in healthy people.

Zinc Carnosine in Bloat Pills

Zinc carnosine is a chelated compound combining zinc with the amino acid carnosine, originally developed in Japan and studied for decades under the name polaprezinc.^[15] It is included here for its studied ability to help stabilise the lining of the stomach and small intestine against damage and increased permeability.

In a randomised crossover trial, healthy volunteers given the pain reliever indomethacin (known to increase gut permeability) alongside zinc carnosine showed no significant rise in a marker of small bowel permeability, while the placebo group showed a threefold increase.^[16] A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in endurance athletes found zinc carnosine, combined with bovine colostrum, reduced the rise in gut permeability normally seen after intense exercise.^[17] In gastric ulcer treatment, a multicentre, randomised, double-blind trial found zinc carnosine (as polaprezinc) produced healing and symptom improvement comparable to an established reference treatment over eight weeks.^[18] Zinc carnosine has also been studied combined with standard antibiotic regimens for Helicobacter pylori infection, where a randomised trial found it increased eradication rates compared with antibiotics alone.^[19]

Most of the strongest zinc carnosine trials were conducted in people with a diagnosed condition (gastric ulcers, drug-induced gut injury, H. pylori infection) or in athletes under physical stress, rather than in the general population using it for everyday bloating, so its inclusion here is based on its gut-lining mechanism rather than a direct trial in occasional digestive discomfort.

Ginger in Bloat Pills

Ginger is the root of Zingiber officinale, used both as a food and a medicinal plant for thousands of years.^[20] It contains gingerols and shogaols, compounds studied for their effects on gut motility, the speed at which the stomach empties, and nausea.

A 2019 systematic review of clinical trials on ginger in gastrointestinal disorders summarised consistent benefits for nausea, vomiting and dyspepsia symptoms across multiple randomised trials, while noting variation in the ginger preparations and doses used.^[21] A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in patients with functional dyspepsia found that a ginger and artichoke extract combination significantly improved dyspepsia symptom scores after just two weeks, with continued improvement at four weeks, compared with placebo.^[22] A more recent randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial found 12 weeks of a steamed ginger extract significantly improved a validated gastrointestinal symptom score compared with placebo in adults with mild to moderate digestive complaints.^[23] Ginger's classic clinical evidence base is in nausea: a randomised, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial in pregnant women found four days of ginger significantly reduced nausea scores and vomiting episodes compared with placebo.^[24]

Ginger has one of the more consistent evidence bases in this formula, but most trials measured nausea, dyspepsia or gastric emptying specifically, rather than bloating as its own endpoint, so we are extrapolating from related digestive outcomes rather than a direct "bloating" trial.

How to take

Take 2 capsules a day with a meal. One pot lasts 30 days. Because inulin is a fermentable fibre, some people notice mild gas in the first week or two as the gut adjusts; this typically settles with continued, consistent use. Introduce alongside a normal, varied diet rather than a very restrictive one.

Ingredients and nutritional information

Each pack contains: 60 capsules · 30 days

Serving: With lunch, with water.

Active ingredients: Probiotic blend (Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium), Inulin (chicory root fibre), L-Glutamine, Zinc L-carnosine (equiv. 5 mg zinc), Ginger root extract.

*NRV: Nutrient Reference Value, Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011. † No NRV established.

Cautions and allergen advice

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Speak to your doctor before use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, as probiotics, zinc carnosine and ginger in supplement form have not been extensively studied in these groups at the doses used in this formula.
• Medications: Ginger has a mild antiplatelet effect and may interact with blood-thinning medication such as warfarin or aspirin; speak to your doctor if you take these. Zinc can reduce the absorption of certain antibiotics, including tetracyclines and quinolones, so leave a few hours between doses. Probiotics should be used with caution alongside immunosuppressant medication.
• IBS and FODMAP sensitivity: Inulin is a fermentable fibre (a FODMAP) and can worsen bloating and gas in people who are sensitive to fermentable carbohydrates or currently following a low-FODMAP diet; introduce gradually and stop if symptoms worsen.
• Children: Not intended for anyone under 18.
• Medical conditions: Speak to your doctor before use if you are immunocompromised, critically ill, or have a central venous catheter, as probiotic use needs medical supervision in these situations. Avoid ginger if you have gallstones. Do not rely on zinc-containing supplements as a substitute for medical treatment of diagnosed gastric ulcers or H. pylori infection. Long-term, high-dose zinc intake from all sources combined can affect copper levels; do not exceed the recommended daily dose.
• Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied and balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose.

Allergen advice

Bloat Pills does not contain any of the 14 EU-listed allergens as an intentional ingredient in its own right, but the probiotic strains used are sometimes grown or freeze-dried on a dairy-based fermentation medium; trace dairy protein cannot always be fully excluded from the finished culture, so check the label if you have a diagnosed milk allergy rather than a simple intolerance. Inulin, L-Glutamine, Zinc Carnosine and Ginger are plant, amino-acid or mineral-derived.

Bloat Pills is produced in a facility that also handles other food supplement ingredients and follows standard allergen control procedures to minimise the risk of cross-contact. Always read the label before use, particularly if you have a diagnosed food allergy or intolerance.

References

1. European Parliament and Council of the European Union. (2011). Regulation (EU) No 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers, Annex XIII: Reference intakes. Official Journal of the European Union. eur-lex.europa.eu
2. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (n.d.). Probiotics: What You Need To Know. National Institutes of Health. nccih.nih.gov
3. Whorwell PJ, Altringer L, Morel J, Bond Y, Charbonneau D, O'Mahony L, Kiely B, Shanahan F, Quigley EM. Efficacy of an encapsulated probiotic Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in women with irritable bowel syndrome. Am J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul;101(7):1581-90. doi:10.1111/j.1572-0241.2006.00734.x
4. Almabruk BA, Bajafar AA, Mohamed AN, et al. Efficacy of Probiotics in the Management of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2024 Dec;16(12):e75954. doi:10.7759/cureus.75954
5. Ford AC, Harris LA, Lacy BE, Quigley EMM, Moayyedi P. Systematic review with meta-analysis: the efficacy of prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics and antibiotics in irritable bowel syndrome. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2018 Nov;48(10):1044-1060. doi:10.1111/apt.15001
6. Almalki AS, Jaafari NY, Aldossari NG, et al. Efficacy of Specific Probiotic Strains in Subtypes of Irritable Bowel Syndrome: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Medicina (Kaunas). 2025 Dec 31;62(1). doi:10.3390/medicina62010089
7. Puhlmann ML, Wegh CAM, van der Zalm SCC, et al. Inulin-induced improvements on bowel habit and gut microbiota in adults with functional constipation: findings of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMC Gastroenterol. 2025 Nov 13;25(1):806. doi:10.1186/s12876-025-04409-6
8. Hiel S, Gianfrancesco MA, Rodriguez J, et al. Link between gut microbiota and health outcomes in inulin-treated obese patients: Lessons from the Food4Gut multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial. Clin Nutr. 2020 Dec;39(12):3618-3628. doi:10.1016/j.clnu.2020.04.005
9. Le Bastard Q, Chapelet G, Javaudin F, et al. The effects of inulin on gut microbial composition: a systematic review of evidence from human studies. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis. 2020 Mar;39(3):403-413. doi:10.1007/s10096-019-03721-w
10. Vandeputte D, Falony G, Vieira-Silva S, et al. Prebiotic inulin-type fructans induce specific changes in the human gut microbiota. Gut. 2017 Nov;66(11):1968-1974. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2016-313271
11. Zhou Q, Verne ML, Fields JZ, et al. Randomised placebo-controlled trial of dietary glutamine supplements for postinfectious irritable bowel syndrome. Gut. 2019 Jun;68(6):996-1002. doi:10.1136/gutjnl-2017-315136
12. Benjamin J, Makharia G, Ahuja V, et al. Glutamine and whey protein improve intestinal permeability and morphology in patients with Crohn's disease: a randomized controlled trial. Dig Dis Sci. 2012 Apr;57(4):1000-12. doi:10.1007/s10620-011-1947-9
13. Abbasi F, Haghighat Lari MM, Khosravi GR, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials on the effects of glutamine supplementation on gut permeability in adults. Amino Acids. 2024 Oct 13;56(1):60. doi:10.1007/s00726-024-03420-7
14. Achamrah N, Déchelotte P, Coëffier M. Glutamine and the regulation of intestinal permeability: from bench to bedside. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2017 Jan;20(1):86-91. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000339
15. Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Zinc: Fact sheet for health professionals. National Institutes of Health. ods.od.nih.gov
16. Mahmood A, FitzGerald AJ, Marchbank T, et al. Zinc carnosine, a health food supplement that stabilises small bowel integrity and stimulates gut repair processes. Gut. 2007 Feb;56(2):168-75. doi:10.1136/gut.2006.099929
17. Davison G, Marchbank T, March DS, et al. Zinc carnosine works with bovine colostrum in truncating heavy exercise-induced increase in gut permeability. Am J Clin Nutr. 2016 Aug;104(2):526-36. doi:10.3945/ajcn.116.134403
18. Shen W, Zhao X, Han Z, Miao Y, Huang H, Zhang Z, Dong L, Nie Y, Li H, Ni R. Efficacy and safety of polaprezinc in the treatment of gastric ulcer: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, positive-controlled clinical trial. Med Eng Phys. 2022 Dec;110:103860. doi:10.1016/j.medengphy.2022.103860
19. Kashimura H, Suzuki K, Hassan M, Ikezawa K, Sawahata T, Watanabe T, Nakahara A, Mutoh H, Tanaka N. Polaprezinc, a mucosal protective agent, in combination with lansoprazole, amoxycillin and clarithromycin increases the cure rate of Helicobacter pylori infection. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 1999 Apr;13(4):483-7. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2036.1999.00510.x
20. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (n.d.). Ginger. National Institutes of Health. nccih.nih.gov
21. Nikkhah Bodagh M, Maleki I, Hekmatdoost A. Ginger in gastrointestinal disorders: A systematic review of clinical trials. Food Sci Nutr. 2019 Jan;7(1):96-108. doi:10.1002/fsn3.807
22. Giacosa A, Guido D, Grassi M, et al. The Effect of Ginger (Zingiber officinalis) and Artichoke (Cynara cardunculus) Extract Supplementation on Functional Dyspepsia: A Randomised, Double-Blind, and Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:915087. doi:10.1155/2015/915087
23. Baek HI, Ha NR, Kim C, et al. Efficacy and safety of steamed ginger extract for gastric health: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled multi-center clinical trial. Food Funct. 2025 Sep 15;16(18):7316-7329. doi:10.1039/d5fo01172h
24. Vutyavanich T, Kraisarin T, Ruangsri R. Ginger for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy: randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial. Obstet Gynecol. 2001 Apr;97(4):577-82. doi:10.1016/s0029-7844(00)01228-x