Intestinal Gas
You may not realize it, but every single person gets intestinal gas. There are just two ways to eliminate it—burping or passing it through your anus. Not only does everyone have gas, we have more than we think. Most people create about one to four pints a day and pass gas about 14 times a day.
Where does it come from? There are a couple of sources. Swallowed air is one culprit as are byproducts from foods that are broken down and mixed with normal bacteria in the colon or large intestine. Colon bacteria is the culprit behind the unpleasant odor.
Some foods are known gas producers including:
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Beans
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Vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, and asparagus
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Fruits, such as pears, apples, and peaches
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Whole grains, such as whole wheat and bran
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Soft drinks and fruit drinks
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Milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and packaged foods prepared with lactose, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing
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Foods containing sorbitol, found in some sugar-free candies and gums
Intestinal Gas Prevention
The less air you swallow, the less gas you’ll pass. Make sure to exercise and keep tabs on what you eat, but some bad habits may make you uncomfortable. Things like smoking, gum chewing, sucking on hard candies, guzzling anything, and drinking carbonated beverages can add to your gas output.
Can my dentures increase belching?
It sounds odd, but it’s true. A pair of poorly fitting dentures can increase the air that goes down your gullet. And the more air that goes down, usually comes back up.
You’re likely to swallow more air when you drink from a bottle or use a straw than when you drink straight from a glass. If you tend to wolf down your food, you’re taking in a lot of air as well. Eating slowly and chewing your food well cuts down on gas caused by air.
Doctors may prescribe prescription or over-the-counter medicines to help reduce symptoms. Digestive enzymes, available as over-the-counter supplements, help digest carbohydrates and may allow people to eat foods that normally cause gas.
