Discomfort after eating, bloating, constant belching and heartburn are major problems affecting the daily lives of many people today. Many people mistake it for heartburn and fear it. In fact, gas is formed due to some malfunctions in our digestive system. Here are the 5 main scientific causes behind gas trouble:
Aerophagia: Swallowing air while eating is a major cause of gas. When we eat too fast, chew food while talking, drink liquids through a straw, and chew gum, a large amount of air enters the stomach along with saliva. This air is then expelled as burping or gas.
Bacterial Fermentation: There are millions of good bacteria in our large intestine. When the complex carbohydrates and fibers in some of the foods we eat are not fully digested in the small intestine and reach the large intestine, the bacteria there start fermenting them. As a byproduct of this process, large amounts of gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide are produced.
Excessive consumption of certain foods: The body takes longer to digest certain foods. Certain types of carbohydrates (FODMAPs) found in beans, lentils, tubers (potatoes, yams), cabbage, broccoli, onions, and garlic produce large amounts of gas. Also, when you drink carbonated soft drinks, the gas in them goes directly to the stomach.
Food Intolerance: Some people’s bodies are reluctant to digest certain foods. For example, people who lack the ‘lactase’ enzyme needed to digest the sugar ‘lactose’ found in milk and milk products (Lactose Intolerance) will experience severe gas and diarrhea if they drink milk. Similarly, the protein called gluten in wheat can cause gas in some people.
Slow digestion and constipation: The digestive process slows down with decreased physical activity and aging. In people with chronic constipation, stool remains in the intestines and rots, which allows bacteria to produce more gas. Chronic stress can also affect bowel movements and increase gas.