Foods That Cause Flatulence

We are human, and being human means that every now and then we are going to produce a little air within us that sooner or later, is going to have to be released. Flatulence occurs and it is something that we shouldn't have to feel ashamed of.

Foods that are difficult for the body to digest are very likely to produce gas as a byproduct. It's just a fact that we can't get around, or ignore, especially when we are out and about in a public place. Although a lot of the gases that are emitted during flatulence do not smell, every now and then one rich in sulfur will make an appearance, and it's aroma will literally be enough to strip paint from the walls.

It is an embarrassing fact that most of us at one time or another has had to toot, and then run, to make a quick and graceful exit away from the scene of the crime.

Sugary or sweet foods, lactose containing foods such as dairy, starchy, and foods rich in fiber are the most likely foods to produce gas during the digestive process.Yep, I know, that list sounds like almost everything that a person would eat in a day?

So lets acknowledge the fact that most foods do cause some degree of gas, question is which ones cause the most gas!

In the vegetable category watch out for beans, cabbage, onions, radishes, celery, carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, corn, potatoes, cauliflower and any member of the legume family. (It is interesting to note here that a few of these vegetables are also very high in sulfur content ie: cabbage and onions).

In the fruit category apples, pears, bananas, apricots, peaches, grapes and prunes.

Intolerances or allergies to the foods that you consume can be responsible for the production of a tremendous amount of excess internal gas and bloating. Where intolerances are concerned wheat and grain products are high on the list. If you have a sensitivity to grain products, the gluten, or other proteins which they contain will cause you to develop a tremendous amount of gas as your body tries to digest them. Rice is actually the only grain that will not cause gas to form while it is being digested.

Dairy products are high on the list of gas producers if you are lactose intolerant!

Carbonated beverages can also be nasty for allowing excess air to fill your tummy!

Yep, sounds like just about everything that you eat will cause you to become a gas producing machine.

You fall within the normal scale if you produce between 1 to 4 pints of gas per day.

Most individuals release a little burst of air through the rear quarters approximately 14 to 23 times each and every day.

Rice is the only starch which does not cause gas to form when it is consumed.

Some people produce methane gas and others do not. If you find your stool floating in the toilet bowl the majority of the time then you are probably one of those environmentally friendly individuals who do not release methane gas into the air when you flatulate.

Cows actually burp and toot so frequently that they are responsible for about 15 percent of all the methane gas produced worldwide. This would mean that they are really not very environmentally friendly critters.

You cannot totally eliminate the need to pass air but you can try to control your gassy tendencies somewhat.

Step one would be to reduce or eliminate your intake of carbonated beverages, this will also help to reduce your sugar intake, and maybe eliminate a few calories along the way too.

If you think that your flatulence is being caused by a food or lactose intolerance discuss this with your doctor and eliminate the offending foods from your diet plan.

You can also reduce your intake of gas producing foods, however as most of these foods are extremely healthy, you will likely not be able to eliminate them all without suffering some very drastic health consequences. So consider just a small reduction to a specific food group that you think you may be over indulging in.

There are over the counter and physician prescribed treatments for reducing excess gases within the body. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you truly believe that you are producing far to much internal air.

My advice is to just relax, and don't take your flatulence too seriously, passing gas 14 to 23 times a day is perfectly normal. Discretely allow those little puffs of gas to diffuse out and into the air around you, and just be thankful that you aren't a bovine, or you would spend the better part of your day flatuating with every little movement that you make.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/01/080104123911.htm

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/gas.html

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gas/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flatulence

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