by An-Nur Nasir

Created on: June 17, 2009   Last Updated: June 21, 2009

Excessive gas or flatulence causes uncomfortable abdominal bloating which can be relieved only by bringing the gas up from the stomach (burping) or expelling it through the anus. Although it is embarrassing, this experience is the completely natural result of intestinal bacteria on undigested carbohydrates and proteins.

The causes of flatulence are fatty foods, dried beans and other legumes, onions, broccoli and other members of the cabbage family and any other foods that exacerbate the problem. Fruits and fruit-based sweeteners such as fructose also may cause flatulence.

Sometimes flatulence is due to a medical disorder. It could be a symptom of food allergies, milk intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome.

If your stomach is lactose intolerant, milk can also cause flatulence. Some foods are especially notorious gas producer, the one that produce methane gas when fermented by intestinal bacteria must be avoid. Those types of foods are soybeans, kidney beans, lentils and dried peas.

Before eating beans, they should be soaked first. Except for lentils and split peas, which do not need to be presoaked, soaking dried beans for at least 4 hours (preferably 8 or more) before cooking them in plenty of eater help to reduce the indigestible sugars that cause gas.

Reduce intake from vegetables of the cabbage family. Many people also experience flatulence after eating onions and broccoli, cauliflower and other members of the cabbage plant family. You may reduce the gas production by adding such spices as anise, ginger, rosemary, bay leaf, and fennel seeds during cooking.

Increase fiber intake gradually may help. Passing gas can be an uncomfortable side effect of a well-intentioned move toward a healthier, high fiber diet. Nutritionists suggest increase fiber intake gradually and they recommend avoiding bran and high-fiber laxatives. In addition, fructose and other sweeteners can cause flatulence in some people, as can high doses of vitamin C.

Beano, a product made from natural enzymes is available in pharmacies as drops or tablets. It helps reduce flatulence when a few drops are sprinkled on a gas-producing foods or a table is taken before a meal.

Flatulence seems to worsen with age and some individuals are simply more susceptible than to gas than others. Eating smaller portions, chewing foods thoroughly and not gulping liquids should minimize the episodes. Some experts also believe that reducing the amount of air in the digestive tract may help to prevent flatulence. So they advise against drinking carbonated beverages, chewing gum, or drinking through a straw which promotes swallowing of air.

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