If you’ve been feeling a bit bloated recently, it might be time to take a closer look at your Stanley Cup straw. I know, you’re probably thinking that this sounds a bit odd, but let me elaborate. After chatting with my mom’s friend who recently took a trip to the gastroenterologist, I discovered something that could explain it all. It turns out, the Stanley Cup that we all know and love might be causing more trouble than we think.
So, here’s the thing. During our conversation, and with a little more digging around, she mentioned that her gastroenterologist had pointed out something very interesting – drinking through straws, particularly the wide ones like those in Stanley Cups, can lead to ingesting more air. This excess air can get trapped in your stomach and, over time, can contribute to that uncomfortable bloating that we all know too well. At first, I was skeptical about the whole thing. I mean, how can a straw contribute to my pants not being able to button all of the way? But as I started to think about it, it all made sense.
Let’s break it down, shall we? When you use a straw, you create a type of suction to pull your drink up. Although you’re mostly obtaining water, you’re also getting air. With wider straws, like Stanley’s, the amount of air you’re getting surges. And if you’re sipping carbonated drinks out of it, like lime La Croix in my case, the bloating seems more unbearable. So, I decided to do a little switcheroo with a new bottle without the straw. The difference? I had significantly less bloating.
In order to understand why this happens, I decided to take a look at the facts. After conducting research on the topic I found gastroenterologists explaining that, when we swallow air, a condition known as aerophagia can occur which ultimately leads to bloating and discomfort. In a recent study published in the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA), researchers in the medical field found that over 25% of individuals who had excessive bloating mentioned swallowing unnecessary air as the main factor. So, if you’re sipping on that iced coffee or sparkling water through a wide straw, you have your answer. You can read more about it here.
I ended up reaching out to my mom’s friend’s gastroenterologist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, who focuses on digestive health, for some of her insights. “Many people don’t realize how much air they can inadvertently swallow while drinking”, she said. “Using a wide straw can make the issue worse, and I recommend avoiding straws entirely for patients who experience chronic bloating.” In addition, she mentioned that temperature can affect bloating and recommends sipping warm water to help with digestion. So, make yourself a nice herbal tea with ginger or peppermint if you’re feeling bloated.
Now, I know what you’re thinking: I love my Stanley Cup! It keeps my drinks cold, it’s cute, there’s a million colors, and the list goes on. And you’re right, in theory it’s a great product. However, there are plenty of alternative options that can leave you bloat free. Consider using water bottles with a narrow mouth, such as an Owala, Hydroflask, or even a cheap water bottle from Target. I recently picked up a water bottle from Walmart without the straw, and decided to put the theory to the test. I decided to ditch the straw and use my new bottle with the narrow opening. The first couple of days were definitely an adjustment; I found myself sipping slower which felt foreign. Over time, I soon discovered that it made the water drinking experience more enjoyable. By the third day, I noticed that my usual afternoon bloat had diminished significantly. I was able to sit through lectures without squirming in my seat and avoid taking my usual Beano, an anti-bloating pill. By the end of the week, I was convinced that this change was both necessary and effective. It didn’t just reduce bloating, but I felt more in tune and connected to my body.
This simple change reinforced the idea that, sometimes, small adjustments can lead to huge benefits. Especially for a girl with tummy problems. So, if you’ve been battling bloating and sipping a Stanley Cup, I hope this gave you some hope. Making a conscious effort to prioritize my well-being started with my water bottle, and it has inspired me to listen to my body and what it needs more often.