Photo: Ioana Motoc

What is the best herb for bloating?

Natural remedies for gas include: Peppermint tea. Chamomile tea. Anise. Caraway. Coriander. Fennel. Turmeric.

brighamandwomens.org - Gas & Bloating: Natural Remedies - Brigham and Women's Hospital

Why do I have strong body odor?

Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection,...

Last updated Mar 20, 2022

What happens if you drink a healthy smoothie everyday?

A smoothie a day might actually help keep the doctor away, thanks to the drink boosting our body's immune system. "High fiber protein smoothies can...

Last updated Aug 13, 2019

Purple weed obliterates 72lbs of flab

The main ingredient for a potent powdered supplement, based on the diets of among the healthiest, longest-living hamlet in the world.

Learn More »

Promotion

Natalie Egan, MS, RD, LDN

Brigham and Women's Hospital

We all have gas. Yet, we're embarrassed to mention it to health-care providers and friends in social conversation. Ten percent to 20 percent of adults have the digestive complaints of belching or flatulence. Here's the good news: bloating or gas doesn't necessarily mean there is something wrong with digestion. But to minimize gas and its embarrassment, the first areas to focus on are diet and eating habits.

The Passing Of Gas

The three most common ways of expelling gas are burping, abdominal bloating, and flatus. Swallowed air, which may stay in the stomach for a period of time, is released by belching. Bloating typically occurs with air that is trapped in the colon or small bowel. Air passed through the bowel is typically passed as flatus. A normal individual emits flatus from 12 to 25 times per day, with more gas in the intestine later in the day than earlier. Intestinal gas is made up of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane. The composition varies depending on the type of intestinal gas. Gas is caused by various factors, the most common of which are eating behaviors and the bacterial fermentation of certain foods.

Bacterial Fermentation

The colon is filled with bacteria, yeasts and fungi, which break down the foods not digested by the small intestine, mostly different forms of carbohydrates. These bacteria particularly enjoy undigested carbohydrates, and the fermentation leads to gas production, hydrogen and methane expelled as flatus. Lactose is one of the most common sources of gas-causing carbohydrate, affecting people who are "lactose intolerant," meaning they do not have the enzyme lactase needed to digest the carbohydrate. Typically, lactose is found in dairy products. Beans are the second most common carbohydrate implicated in gas production. The indigestible carbohydrate in beans that typically causes flatus is raffinose.

Behaviors, Food Choices And Activity

What should I eat in one day to detox?

1-Day Detox Guide To Kick-Start A Healthy Lifestyle Drink Plenty Of Water. Drink Green Tea. Avoid Dairy Products. Eat Lean Proteins. Choose Low...

Last updated Nov 28, 2022

What is the best herb for autoimmune disease?

Sarsaparilla and yarrow are commonly thought to treat autoimmune symptoms by purifying the blood and reducing joint and muscle inflammation....

Last updated Feb 7, 2020

Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Eating behaviors and other habits such as gum chewing, gulping foods and drinking with eating can cause us to swallow air. Bulky foods such as lettuce, cabbage, and dense breads not chewed into small enough pieces increase swallowed air. Typically, swallowed air contains oxygen, nitrogen and carbon dioxide. It tends to not have a foul smell, but it does contribute to the discomfort associated with gas. People vary widely in how sensitive they are to gas production. Keeping a food record to document incidences of gas in relation to foods eaten can shed light on whether food or behavior may be aggravating the situation.

Behaviors And Food Choices That Can Lead To Gas

Behaviors

Talking while eating

Eating when upset

Smoking or chewing tobacco

Using a straw or sports bottle

Overloading your stomach

Deep sighing

Drinking very hot or cold beverages

Chewing gum or eating hard candy

Drinking from a water fountain

Tight-fitting garments

Long-term use of medications for relief of cold symptoms

Foods

Carbonated beverages

Spicy, fried or fatty foods

Broccoli, cabbage, onions

Beans

Apple or prune juice

Dried fruits

Anything containing sorbitol, mannitol or maltitol, found in many low-carb or sugar-free foods

Beat The Bloat

Bloating is a sensation that makes the abdomen feel larger than normal. The abdomen doesn't get physically bigger until its volume increases by one quart, so the bloated feeling may occur, but the abdomen is not distended. Intestinal gas may cause the feeling of bloating.

Here are additional suggestions to decrease bloating:

Eat slowly, and consume smaller, more frequent meals

Chew your foods well

Drink beverages at room temperature

Have your dentures checked for a good fit

Increase physical activity during the day

Sit up straight after eating

Take a stroll after eating

It is important not to completely omit foods from the diet that may cause gas. As we know, a high-fiber diet is important for bowel regularity and colon health, so it is well worth the patience it may take to slowly build up tolerance to these types of carbohydrates. Start by adding the offending high-fiber food in smaller quantities, such as a half cup or less. Be sure that fluid intake and activity levels are adequate, as they help to move foods through the digestive tract.

Natural And Other Remedies For Gas

Should I brush my teeth before drinking water in the morning?

There is no better way to start the morning than with a glass of water before you brush your teeth. There are tons of benefits of drinking water in...

Last updated Sep 10, 2021

Are 3 laser sessions enough?

Laser hair removal works better on some people than others, since everyone regrows hair at different rates. But the average results you can expect...

Last updated Jun 4, 2022

Fizzy juice “chews through” 63lbs of fat

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

Many advertisements tout medications or remedies that reduce gas and bloating. Some have been shown to be of value in clinical studies, others have not yet been proven scientifically but are anecdotally helpful. Before trying anything, you may want to consult with your physician. Two products on the market can help with food-related gas and bloating. Both products are packaged forms of the enzymes needed to break down the problematic carbohydrates. Lactase, found in products such as Dairy Ease and Lactaid, can be taken with dairy foods to help break down lactose and lessen gas. Beano helps digest the indigestible carbohydrate in beans and other gas-producing vegetables.

Natural remedies for gas include:

Peppermint tea

Chamomile tea

Anise

Caraway

Coriander

Fennel

Turmeric

Over-the-counter gas remedies include:

Pepto-Bismol

Activated charcoal

Simethicone

Lactase enzyme (Lactaid or Dairy Ease)

Beano

When To Be Concerned

In most situations, occasional gas and abdominal discomfort does not require medical attention. Over- the-counter products, or a self-assessment of habits and changes in eating behaviors can help remedy the situation. However, you should seek medical attention when there is an increase in frequency, location or severity of the symptoms, or if they are accompanied by weight loss, diarrhea, vomiting or heartburn.

brighamandwomens.org - Gas & Bloating: Natural Remedies - Brigham and Women's Hospital

Can you gain weight on a clean diet?

A common misconception is that “clean food” cannot make you fat and calories do not matter as long as you eat healthy. The truth is any kind of...

Last updated Jul 12, 2022

Can I drink detox juice at night?

If you celebrated Green Juice Day recently (yes, that's a thing), most likely you raised a tall glass of your favorite good-for-you blend in the...

Last updated Dec 4, 2022

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

This effective juice jolts the metabolism, boosts energy and burns fat all day.

Learn More »

Promotion

What is the roughest ocean in the world?

One of the most renowned stormy seas, the 'Sea of Hoces' as it's also known is located in the southern tip of South America, covering Cape Horn,...

Last updated Sep 7, 2021

Traditional “juice” activates 24/7 fat-burning

A potent powdered supplement blended right into water or your favored beverage to be appreciated as a scrumptious morning smoothy.

Learn More »

Promotion

Can you drink cranberry juice if you have high blood pressure?

In addition, cranberry juice may help reduce blood pressure by dilating blood vessels and increasing blood flow. Finally, cranberries are an...

Last updated Apr 28, 2019