The formation of gases is natural in the process of digestion, but their excessive accumulation in the intestine causes a digestion disorder called bloating or flatulence. This symptom is extremely unpleasant, not only because it makes you feel awkward in front of others, but also because of painful sensations. Fortunately, getting rid of swelling is possible. Scientists have identified diseases of the digestive system and products that cause gas formation.
Gastrointestinal problems
- Dysbacteriosis An imbalance in the intestinal microflora disrupts the digestive processes, which causes flatulence.
- Pancreatitis The pancreas does not produce enough enzymes to break down substances, because this task lies with the bacteria in the large intestine. Their work causes excessive gas formation.
- Irritable bowel syndrome. Cramps, constipation, and disorders do not benefit digestion and contribute to flatulence.
- Intestinal obstruction. The complicated exit of feces and gases together with them provokes bloating.
List of adult gas products:
- Raw fruit. Apples, grapes, peaches, pears contain fructose, a large amount of which causes fermentation and, accordingly, flatulence. However, even dried fruits (for example, prunes) with excessive consumption can enhance gas formation.
- Milk products. A lack of lactase enzyme associated with age or genetics causes fermentation in the large intestine.
- Raw vegetables. Cabbage, radish, radish, tomatoes, greens in large quantities load the digestive system.
- Products containing yeast. Beer, kvass, fresh baked goods, as well as some products from dairy products (cheese, curds, etc.) cause fermentation, which provokes increased gas formation.
- Meat fish. Prolonged digestion of protein products often causes bloating.
- Carbonated, sweet, cold drinks. Sugar causes fermentation, carbon dioxide - flatulence.
- Other foods containing a large amount of carbohydrates, coarse fiber (many bran also do not benefit digestion), lactose, oligosaccharides and yeast.
Legumes
What foods cause gas in the intestines? Any! The differences are only in the fact that in some cases a person does not notice this, and in others - strong symptoms of flatulence are manifested. So, for example, the stomach does not have sufficient resources to thoroughly digest legumes (peas, soybeans, beans and others). Because of this, the bacteria that inhabit the intestines are forced to complete the process on their own. As a result, increased gas production is noted. But this can be avoided. It is enough to soak the right portion of beans for several hours before cooking. If you do not neglect this advice, then you can avoid unpleasant consequences in the form of flatulence, which is always inappropriate.
Answering the question, which beans cause less gas formation, it is worth mentioning lentils. It has a more gentle effect on the body than many other similar cultures.
Cabbage
Various varieties of this vegetable (broccoli, colored, white and so on) are widely used. Many know firsthand what gas production from cabbage is. This is due to the fact that it contains coarse fiber, a side effect of digestion of which can be flatulence. It also contains sulfur, which is the cause of a rather unpleasant smell of gases. But it is worth noting that not all are faced with such consequences. It is also noteworthy that the younger the vegetable, the less gas is released during its digestion.
In order to avoid flatulence when consuming cabbage, it will require preliminary heat treatment (unfortunately, this method is not relevant in the case of white cabbage, which is “dangerous” and boiled).
It is worth monitoring the serving size and not eating too much to avoid bloating. The most “safe” cabbage is considered to be Beijing, as it is digested by the body without any side effects. It is not worth it to completely exclude various varieties of this vegetable from the diet, because it contains a large amount of vitamin C.
Bakery products
The aroma of fresh pastries is quite difficult to resist. However, you should not forget about such an unpleasant side effect as gas formation from bread. Most often flatulence is caused by freshly baked products. This is due to the fact that they contain yeast that provokes the fermentation process. These fungi emit much more carbon dioxide than gastric bacteria. That is why all people suffering from flatulence should reduce the consumption of fresh bread.
It is noteworthy that almost all products containing flour are provoked by increased gas formation. Therefore, drinking them with fermented milk drinks or kvass is far from the best idea.
Garlic
It has been proven that almost all hot spices irritate the gastrointestinal tract and cause bloating. This category also includes garlic. In his case, the cause of flatulence may not be entirely understandable, because it does not contain so many dietary fibers that could contribute to this. Bloating and gas formation from garlic is due to the fact that starch is present in it. The latter is digested by the human body with great difficulty. The fact is that starch does not break down until it reaches the colon. Here, its digestion is accompanied by the formation of a large amount of gases.
Factors causing flatulence
Swallowed air is another cause of flatulence after eating. This happens during a conversation at the table, drinking any drinks through a straw, having a snack on the go, chewing gum after eating.
Flatulence is caused by excessive eating at one time. The stomach can hold no more than 400 g of food. Anything else that not only complicates digestion and causes bloating, but also causes drowsiness.
Bad habits also contribute to gas formation. Alcoholic drinks provoke flatulence, and smoking in general disrupts the digestive process.
Bloating can even be caused by neutral foods that are well absorbed by the body individually, but if not properly combined, complicate digestion. Bad combinations are meat and sweets, fish and eggs, dairy products, melons and watermelon with any others.
Products that do not cause gas formation
In order to treat and prevent flatulence, it is recommended to eat certain foods. Among them:
- Cereal cereals boiled in water.
- Dairy products. Kefir, fermented baked milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, and yogurt improve bowel function.
- Baked and thermally processed fruits and vegetables.
- Boiled, stewed and steamed protein products: meat, fish.
- Stale or yeast-free bread.
Proper nutrition
To get rid of unpleasant symptoms, regain self-confidence and enjoy life again, you need to revise the diet, abandon bad habits, lead an active lifestyle and normalize digestion in the presence of diseases.
Thorough chewing of food, the use of clean water half an hour before and after a meal, dinner no later than three hours before bedtime, as well as the absence of conversations at the table will help reduce gas production.
In case of serious problems, doctors recommend switching to 4 meals a day in order to reduce portions and reduce the burden on digestion. Effective advice is the use of a sufficient amount of clean water (at least 1.5 liters per day, excluding drinks, soups, juices).
Do not completely abandon the products that cause gas formation, since some of them (for example, rice) can help in the fight against flatulence. However, it is important to monitor their moderate use.
Improves the digestive system locomotor activity and special exercises. Even regular exercise and exercise in the morning normalize intestinal motility, improve blood flow, speed up digestion, and, importantly, minimize the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
Treatment
If flatulence and bloating cause discomfort, cause pain, for quick relief it is not enough to abandon products that cause gas formation, the following drugs are needed:
- Defoamers. The main active ingredient, as a rule, is simethicone. It destroys the foam (in this state, the gases are in the intestine) and promotes their absorption or withdrawal in a "neutralized" form.
- Enterosorbents. Taking even regular activated carbon promotes adsorption of gases, as well as toxins and bacteria that cause flatulence.
- Enzyme containing products. Promote faster digestion of food, without leaving carbohydrates to bacteria from the large intestine.
Finally
Flatulence can be a lot of inconvenience, but it can be controlled. Treatment of diseases of the digestive tract, proper nutrition and moderate consumption of products that cause gas formation will facilitate the work of the intestines and relieve discomfort.