Aerophagia: There are some habits that cause us to swallow large amounts of air into our stomach without realizing it. Eating too quickly, talking while eating, drinking through a straw, and chewing gum can cause large amounts of air to enter the esophagus. This turns into gas in the stomach and is then released as belching or discomfort.
Difficult-to-digest carbohydrates (FODMAPs): The starch in some foods is not completely digested in the small intestine. When these foods reach the large intestine, millions of good bacteria there start fermenting the food. As a byproduct of this process, large amounts of hydrogen and methane gases are produced. Examples of this include tubers, legumes, cabbage, onions, and dairy products.
Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO): Most of the good bacteria in our digestive system should be in the large intestine. However, in some people, due to indigestion or excessive use of antibiotics, these bacteria start to grow in the small intestine. Scientifically, this is called SIBO (Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth). Whatever they eat, it ferments in the small intestine, causing severe gas and bloating.
Lactose or Gluten Intolerance: Some people’s bodies do not have the enzymes to digest the sugar lactose found in milk or the protein gluten found in wheat. When these foods are eaten, they experience severe bloating, excessive gas and diarrhea.
Chronic constipation and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): When stool does not pass properly and remains in the colon, it ferments for a long time and produces large amounts of foul-smelling gas. Gas problems are also more common in people with IBS, which is caused by irregular bowel movements.