Keeping down the air in the gut

We often give a great deal of attention to flatulence but not to its causes. If nothing else,it at least causes a great deal of discomfort and embarrassment.

It must be noted that a certain degree of flatulence is considered as a natural body function and is certainly not a sign of serious health trouble. The problem arises when there is excessive production of gas.

When the partially digested food reaches the large intestines (colon),the bacteria present in our tracts churns the undigested and unabsorbed dietary fibres to produce gas. Thus,some amount of gas will be formed in the intestine due to this process.

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Here is a list of some of the things that cause flatulence beyond the ordinary:

 Excessive fibre in the diet: The body generally produces excessive gas if there is a great deal of fibre in the diet. Thus,first and foremost,if flatulence is an issue,it will always be helpful to check the consumption of fibre. Reducing the intake of bran and such food items should make a difference. At least large quantities of fibre must not be taken all at once and should be spread over the day.

 Low bacterial counts in the digestive tract: It has been observed that if there is a reasonably high count of intestinal bacteria of the beneficial kind,then flatulence remains well under control. Regular intake of curd and fermented foodstuffs as well as probiotics is of great help in this matter.

 High intake of fatty foods: Food with a very high fat content such as sauces with cream,fried food,high fat meats are not easily digested especially when eaten in excess. This can lead to excessive gas production.

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 Large intake of lactose: In taking large quantities of lactose through milk and cheese products can cause bloating if the lactose remains unabsorbed. This is certainly true for those who are lactose intolerant.

 Eating large amount of Sugar: Taking large quantities of any kind of sugar can cause flatulence. Sometimes we may not even be aware that we are eating sugar. For instance,the packaged food market today is flooded with food containing sugar other than sucrose like sorbitol,xylitol,maltitol and mannitol. These sugars are designed to be not completely absorbed by the body. Hence,less absorption means fewer calories imbibed,which results in flatulence in such cases.

 Certain assorted food itemS: The usual offenders in terms of food items are cucumber,corn,cauliflower,cabbage and capsicum. In addition,radish,beans,other legumes and onions are known as gas formers. Apples,by their very composition,contain about 20 per cent gas by weight in their natural state and also contribute to flatulence. It is common knowledge that carbonated beverages can also leave you burping on their consumption and thus deserves a mention in this list.

It is interesting to note in spite of the general rules cited to cope with flatulence,a great deal of individual variation is seen. There are not too many hard and fast criteria to typify what kind of food will cause flatulence. Drinking fluids rapidly,chewing gum or smoking may increase the intake of swallowed air and thus cause belching or flatulence. Some people swallow more air when they are tense or in pain. It helps if we make it a habit to eat slowly and chew our food well. Using a straw for drinking can also be of help for those who tend to swallow air while drinking water.

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