Experts Say Avoid These 6 Foods to Prevent Bloating and Digestive Issues

Alcohol is a gut irritant and is a pro-inflammatory, meaning it can promote inflammation throughout the body, including in the gut, explains Anthea Levi, MS, RD. That's a problem, since research shows that prolonged intestinal inflammation can increase our risk of conditions like liver disease, GI cancers, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

Drinking alcohol can also lead to adverse changes in the makeup of the gut microbiome, and can decrease the number of beneficial gut bacteria. If you choose to drink, Levi recommends aiming for a max of one drink a day for women, and to avoid super sugary drinks and drinking on an empty stomach.