Having a pseudo-pregnant belly is the worst! Especially when people start thinking that’s a real baby bump and begin congratulating you. You can’t help but facepalm and clear the rather awkward air embarrassingly. You find yourself saying rather meekly, “Oh I just ate too much, that’s all.”

Seriously, chronic bloating is so common among women right now that sometimes even we start rubbing our bellies fondly. Well, I know I do it – guilty as charged! Nonetheless, the big question is- what causes this abomination? Is it really overeating? Or is it the result of drinking one too many glasses of wine without having enough water?

If you, like me, have always wanted to know the reason behind bloating, you’ve come to the right place. Bloating, defined as a swelling in the abdominal area, is caused by multiple reasons according to Washington, DC-based Dr. Robynne Chutkan, a leading gastroenterologist as well as the founder of the wellness center, Digestive Centre for Women.