We are mostly made up of fluid, and for that reason there are many systems in the body that influence our ability to hold and expel it from the body. Similarly, bloating is often a combination of fluid, air, gas or inflammation, with many contributing factors, which is why it can be so hard to get to the bottom of ‘why’ we experience these symptoms.

Fluid retention and bloating can be the result of different drivers. You might have both or just one of them. Commonly, we hold onto fluid or experience bloating when our sex hormones are out of balance, if we are eating certain foods that we don’t digest well, a whole range of digestive system issues can be involved, our liver may be struggling, our thyroid not working properly, stress hormones production might be high or our kidneys may need more support. And they can both occur for a number of other reasons.