When your gut feeling isn't right anymore – what digestive enzymes can have to do with it

A bloated stomach after eating isn't just unpleasant—it can affect your entire daily life. Clothes no longer fit properly, your body feels sluggish, and your overall well-being suffers. Often, the first question is: Why is my body reacting this way?

A possible, but often overlooked, trigger: insufficient activity of digestive enzymes .

What happens in the body when we eat

As soon as food reaches the mouth, a highly complex digestive process begins. Enzymes play a central role. They break down large food components—carbohydrates, fats, and proteins—into smaller building blocks so that the small intestine can absorb them.

Three main enzymes are crucial:

• Amylases : break down starch and sugar

• Proteases : break down proteins

• Lipases : break down fats

These enzymes are produced primarily in the pancreas, but also in the stomach and small intestine. If this process becomes unbalanced—be it due to stress, age, certain medications, or an unbalanced diet—an enzyme deficiency can occur.

The consequences: incomplete digestion and fermentation in the intestine

If certain food components aren't fully broken down, they pass undigested into the large intestine. There, they are fermented by bacteria—a process that produces gases such as methane, hydrogen, or carbon dioxide. The result: bloating, pressure, and a feeling of fullness .

Many people are particularly sensitive to carbohydrates that are difficult to digest (e.g. in legumes, onions or whole grain products) or meals that are high in fat.

How digestive enzymes can help

In such cases, taking enzyme-containing supplements before or with meals can help. They supplement the body's own enzyme production and ensure better digestion. Studies show that certain enzyme combinations can reduce the formation of gas in the intestines and accelerate digestion.

It's important to note that not every product works the same way. What matters is which enzymes are contained, in what quantity, and whether they are stable enough to withstand stomach acid and work where they're needed.

Strengthening intestinal flora: Prebiotics and probiotics as natural support

In addition to enzymes, it's also worth taking a look at the intestinal flora —the community of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. A healthy intestinal flora not only supports digestion, but also the immune system and general well-being.

• Probiotics are live microorganisms (e.g. lactobacilli or bifidobacteria) that can help stabilize the microbial balance in the intestine.

• Prebiotics are indigestible fibers that specifically serve as food for these good bacteria (e.g. inulin or oligofructose).

Our BELLY BEAUTY CAPSULES combine prebiotics and probiotics. This combination is often referred to as synbiotics . They can help improve intestinal health in the long term. The targeted use of synbiotics can be particularly beneficial after antibiotic therapy, in cases of an unbalanced diet, or chronic digestive problems.

Conclusion

When bloating and an unpleasant feeling in your stomach become a burden, it's worth taking a holistic approach to digestion. Digestive enzymes can specifically help you better utilize food, while prebiotics and probiotics strengthen your gut flora and contribute to a better gut feeling in the long term.

Good digestion cannot be taken for granted – but it can be supported.