Photo: Pietro Jeng

What's the best cure for bloating?

Beat The Bloat 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.

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

What are examples of vegetable juice?

Other popular items in vegetable juices are parsley, dandelion greens, kale, celery, fennel, and cucumbers. Lemon, garlic and ginger may be added...

Last updated Jun 6, 2021

Why do I feel sick after juicing?

You might feel 'fluey' By day two your body will be going through a deep detox and removing all the built-up toxins from within your body. This...

Last updated Dec 1, 2021

Tasty juice “eats through” 54lbs of thick flab

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

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 you drink 1st thing in the morning?

water The benefits of drinking water (at least 2 cups) first thing in the morning are plenty. Besides flushing out toxins and providing some much-...

Last updated Oct 7, 2018

Is boiled potato better than rice?

According to Clemson University, more than 70 percent of the white rice sold in the United States is enriched with extra folic acid, thiamine,...

Last updated Jun 28, 2019

Purple mojito “devours” 57lbs of flab?

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

How much salt should I eat a day for high blood pressure?

The American Heart Association recommends no more than 2,300 milligrams (mgs) a day and an ideal limit of no more than 1,500 mg per day for most...

Last updated Jun 30, 2018

What is the best brand of super beets?

The 5 Best Beet Powders Koyah Beet Whole-Root Powder. An organic, non-GMO beet powder that's unusually transparent with its ingredients. ... Peak...

Last updated Mar 13, 2019

Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

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

What fruits diabetics should avoid?

Diabetics should avoid fruits with a high GI or eat them in moderation so that their blood sugar levels do not spike abruptly. Pineapple,...

Last updated Dec 27, 2021

How wide should poop be?

Appearance. Healthy faecal matter has a solid, smooth shape and has a somewhat soft (but not mushy) appearance. Ideally it should be between 2.5 to...

Last updated Feb 18, 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

Which fruit is best for blood count?

Fruits: Raisins, prunes, dried figs, apricots, apples, grapes and watermelons not only get the red blood cells flowing but also improve the blood...

Last updated Mar 14, 2022

Weird “juice ritual” removes 65lbs in weeks

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

Learn More »

Promotion

What 5 foods can you survive on?

Basic Survival Food List Rice. Rice can be purchased in bulk at very low prices and has a shelf life of over 10 years, when stored properly. ......

Last updated Feb 16, 2022