Aldi's 2p drink got rid of my bloated belly - now my stomach is flattest ever

For the past few years, I've been battling with persistent bloating that left me feeling uncomfortable and necessitated the wearing of loose clothing. Despite being a size six, the bloating was so severe it made me appear pregnant.

I attempted various dietary modifications, including avoiding fatty foods and takeaways and even adopting a gluten-free diet, but nothing seemed to work. It wasn't until I scrutinised my drinking habits that I pinpointed the offender - coffee.

After eliminating coffee for three days, I noticed a significant decrease in my bloating. I also temporarily gave up English breakfast tea and fizzy drinks.

Further investigation led me to the gut benefits of peppermint tea, which encouraged me to buy some. I chose a box of Diplomat Peppermint Infusion Tea Bags from Aldi for 89p, with 40 bags in a box, each cup costs approximately 2p, according to Surrey Live.

The transformation has been astounding. Not only is my stomach the flattest it's been in a long time, but I can even treat myself to a cup of coffee occasionally (not daily), and as long as I have a peppermint tea on the same day, I won't bloat, reports the Mirror.

This means I can comfortably wear my tight dresses and t-shirts without constantly having to suck in my stomach and tense my gut muscles. Peppermint tea is widely recognised for its digestive benefits, with many people, like myself, asserting it helps alleviate issues such as gas and bloating.

While there isn't a wealth of human research supporting these claims, numerous animal studies suggest that peppermint may have a calming effect on the digestive tract. Peppermint tea aids digestion in several ways: it can soothe an upset stomach by relaxing the stomach and digestive tract muscles, allowing food to pass through the stomach more swiftly.

Additionally, peppermint tea can enhance the flow of bile, which assists the body in digesting fats. It can also help alleviate bloating by relaxing the muscles that allow gas to pass.

Peppermint tea is naturally sweet and caffeine-free. A 2014 review analysed nine studies involving 726 individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) treated with peppermint oil for at least two weeks.

The review found that peppermint oil significantly relieved symptoms more than a placebo. A study involving 72 individuals with IBS also found that peppermint oil capsules reduced symptoms by 40% after four weeks, compared to a mere 24.3% improvement in the placebo group.

While peppermint tea is generally safe for most people, it can cause irritation. Those with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) should avoid it as it can exacerbate their symptoms.

Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals and young children should seek advice from a healthcare professional before consuming peppermint tea. Besides easing digestive issues, peppermint tea has been shown to possess several other health benefits, including:.

Peppermint tea, being naturally devoid of caffeine, is a fantastic option for any time of the day. It can be relished post meals to aid digestion, consumed in the afternoon for an energy boost, or sipped before bedtime for relaxation.