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Which Foods Really Cause Flatulence?

gas, flatulenceCertain foods are common causes of flatulence, and temporarily avoiding these foods can help you determine if they’re a problem for you. According to the Mayo Clinic Health Letter, the following foods are likely to cause gassiness:
  • Dairy products, which contain sugar lactose that causes gas
  • Vegetables, including onions, radishes, cabbage, celery, carrots, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower and legumes
  • Fruit sugar, which is especially high in prunes, raisins, bananas, apples, apricots and fruit juices from prunes, grapes and apples
  • Fiber
  • Fatty foods and carbonated drinks
Additionally, artificial sweeteners such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol may also cause flatulence.

Food manufacturers have begun to develop products that promise to not cause flatulence. For instance, in 2006 a flatulence-free manteca bean was grown in the UK.

Sources:

Dr. Mercola''s Comments Dr. Mercola's Comments:

Flatulence occurs when a food you eat does not get digested as well as it should in your stomach and small intestine. When this largely undigested food reaches your large intestine, bacteria will begin to break it down, or in other words it will start to ferment.

The product of this fermentation process is a mixture of gasses including:
  • Carbon dioxide
  • Methane
  • Hydrogen
  • Hydrogen sulfite (which is what typically causes the odor)
If you are experiencing a lot of flatulence (about 10 to 18 passages a day is considered “normal” according to the American College of Gastroenterology), this is a giant clue that something is wrong.

Either you are eating foods that are not right for your nutritional type, or you may be suffering from a digestive disorder -- such as irritable bowel syndrome or celiac disease -- or food allergies.

One food allergy, lactose intolerance, explains why some people get flatulence from dairy products. People with lactose intolerance lack an intestinal enzyme to break down lactose, so it passes undigested into your large intestines, where it produces gas.

Aside from your digestive enzymes, the amount of bacteria in your gut, along with the ratio of good to bad bacteria, is also an important part of your digestive health. If you don’t have enough good bacteria, your body will not only have problems with digestion, it will be vulnerable to disease.

Because the nutritional origin of many diseases you face is connected to a lack of balance in your intestinal bacteria, one of the first suggestions new patients at The Optimal Wellness Center hear is to start taking a high-quality probiotic (good bacteria).

What to do if You Have Frequent Flatulence

Remember, flatulence can be a major warning sign that something is out of balance in your body, and it would likely serve you well to examine some of the causes. You can start by first eliminating the foods you suspect are causing you gas, because until you clear up the underlying issue, they could be harming your body.

If you’re not sure which foods are problematic for you, the best way to find out if you have a food sensitivity is to keep a food diary. By keeping careful and detailed records, it is possible to sort many allergies out without having to undergo expensive testing.

Remember to watch out for hidden ingredients common in processed foods, such as soy, wheat, gluten, peanuts, and pasteurized milk, all of which are common allergenic foods.

Next, you can try:
  • Eating more fermented foods. These are rich in both good bacteria and enzymes. I personally eat natto, which are healthy fermented soybeans, frequently, but you can also try raw kefir or cultured veggies. This is probably one of the most important first steps.
  • Taking a high-quality probiotic.
  • Exercising, to help keep food moving through your system.
  • Using spices that may help to prevent flatulence. These include turmeric, coriander, peppermint, fennel, sage, chamomile and ginger.
Finally, when you reintroduce a food that was previously a gas-causing food, be sure you do so slowly. This will give your body a chance to adapt to the adjustment.

And remember to always listen to your body. If the food still continues to cause you trouble, pay attention to your body’s feedback and eliminate it once again.


Related Links:



Comment on This Article Community Comments (57)
 
 
Posted On Jan 08, 2008
The research of Dr Kenneth Fine is suggesting that the incidence of gluten intolerance may be as high as one in three. If this is correct, then it is likely that gluten intolerance plays a part in a large number of cases.

https://www.enterolab.com/StaticPages/EarlyDiagnosis.htm


 
Aaltrude
Moderator User Moderator User, Joined On 4/2007
Aaltrude  
Replied

withe
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 9/2006
withe  
 
Posted On Jan 09, 2008
I used Enterolab to confirm my gluten sensitivity. When I stopped eating gluten, I stopped having problems with gas and bloating. It was not the beans, cauliflower, broccoli....it was gluten. I can eat all those so called gassy foods without problem. I am amazed how little gas I have as long as I stay 100% gluten free.


Reesacat
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 1/2007
Reesacat  
 
Posted On Jan 09, 2008
I also found that eliminating gluten made a big difference in my digestion-for the better.



gramma bea
Novice User Novice User Joined On 1/2008
gramma bea  
 
Posted On Jan 24, 2008

Dr Fine and Enterolab is a Godsend to mankind. I went 13 years without the proper diagnosis of gluten sensitivity. I am still in the recovering stage, because of all the damage done from misdiagnosis. I am gluten, dairy, soy, egg and tree nut, intolerant. Makes for a interesting life, to say the least.:)



yohardys
Novice User Novice User Joined On 10/2006
yohardys  
 
Posted On Jan 24, 2008

Thank you so much for posting this link!  Just as I suspected, I am gluten sensitive (despite negative blood testing) and suffer from hypothyroidism.  It's unfortunate that the mainstream medical establishment is just not in tune with the vast positive impact we can have on our health by what we put in our mouths.



HolyFoods
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2009
HolyFoods  
 
Posted On Jul 01, 2009

I've noticed an improvement in my over-all digestion from eliminating gluten containg products as well ie. most grains (except rice and corn), breads made with grains, most processed foods that have hidden sources of gluten, etc. And I only started a gluten free diet about a week ago> im sure it will get even better!


 
 
 
Posted On Jan 09, 2008
Flatulence is a part of living.  I think more importantly than determining which foods cause it, the scientists need to study further to determine which foods cause the "bad ones".  Broccoli may give you gas, but it's definitely not as potent as taco bell! 

 
New to Natural
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 11/2007
New to Natural  
Replied

Rikky
Novice User Novice User Joined On 6/2006
Rikky  
 
Posted On Jan 09, 2008
Isn't that the truth


Bridestein
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 12/2006
Bridestein  
 
Posted On Jan 09, 2008
Sugar-farts are the worst!


energy_203
Apprentice User Apprentice User Joined On 8/2007
energy_203  
 
Posted On Jan 10, 2008
Bridestein:  (Yeah, I get on line just to see what you have to say)  Do tell: which ones are the best?  If you categorize your farts, you might be a redneck.  Good day.


Bridestein
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 12/2006
Bridestein  
 
Posted On Jan 10, 2008
Energy: Need you ask? My own, of course  ;-)


 
Posted On Jan 24, 2008

Thanks for the laugh, lol. Most any fast food establishment can cause a disturbance in digestion, including many restuarant foods, I imagine. It is simply because it is not a homemade food, and many times is pre-made with additives and preservatives that were not designed for our bodies to digest. This is just my opinion, at this point in my life. :)

Thanks again for adding a smile to my day! Humor goes a long way to a joyful life! :)

JOY

Salem Oregon


 
 
 
Posted On Jan 08, 2008
Grains were always the biggest culprit in our house. My husband used to munch on granola all day. Thank god he doesn't do that any more. It got pretty nasty. Get rid of grains, get rid of gas.

 
rablpn
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 2/2007
rablpn  
 
 
 
Posted On Jan 08, 2008
A poor source of protein like SOY is usually the case also ...Excuse Me!

 
proatc
Apprentice User Apprentice User, Joined On 12/2006
proatc  
 
 
 
Posted On Jan 08, 2008
Avoid most processed and refined food sources.

 
Russ Bianchi
Savvy User Savvy User, Joined On 9/2006
Russ Bianchi  
Replied

EQ
Savvy User Savvy User Joined On 3/2007
EQ  
 
Posted On Jan 09, 2008
Islander,  You probably know this already, but you can also "process" the beans by sprouting. 

Also, perhaps if you're a protein type legumes wouldn't be good to eat a lot of.  

 
 
 
 
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