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Our body produces several hundred grams of gas a day. They are odorless. It is only fermentation that sometimes they can put us in a difficult situation, for example during dinner in the company.
When we eat carbohydrates (sugar, starch, fiber), some of them are not digested and absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract. It goes to the large intestine , where intestinal bacteria wait for the remains. Under their influence, non-assimilated food ingredients ferment. The product of this chemical reaction isodorousgases consisting of carbon dioxide, hydrogen, nitrogen and methane. Air ingested while eating and drinking provides oxygen to this mixture, which facilitates fermentation.
Gases: indigestion and flatulence
The body produces much more intestinal gas if we rush, swallow large bites and drink with meals. Some people have a hereditary tendency to produce more gases, say experts. It may be the result of a specific structure of the intestines or some diseases of the digestive tract - parasites, diverticulitis or intolerance to lactose, i.e. milk sugar. But most of the complaints are caused by dietary mistakes.
Excess gas production is associated withindigestionand gas. Determining the cause is not easy. If your stomach hurts or you have intestinal cramps a few hours after a meal, you must see your doctor. As a rule, he or she orders a general blood analysis, stool culture and ultrasound. abdominal cavity. The results allow him to state whether the digestive tract is he althy and whether parasites have nested in it. If the tests do not confirm the disease, you need to change your diet, but most of all avoid certain foods.
Wine of fermentation
Our body produces 180 to 720 g of gas per day. This is normal. The gases accumulated in the intestines are odorless. Their smell changes only after fermentation.
Diet for excessive gas
The gas-forming ingredients of the dishes include, among others sugars from the oligosaccharide family, lactose, some soluble fibers and starch.
Oligosaccharides are found mainly in beans, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, dry peas and lentils. They are not digested thoroughly because humans lack the enzyme (alpha-galactosidase) necessary to break them down completely. So they increasegas production (beans up to twelve times) in the large intestine.
Lactose, or sugar contained in milk and milk products, can increase gas production up to eight times. This happens when the body does not have enough of its own lactase enzyme needed to digest this sugar. Lactose intolerance can be detected by taking allergy tests or blood tests. The easiest way to diagnose this condition is to stop all dairy products for at least two weeks. Natural yoghurts are an exception here, because they are pre-digested by the bacteria used in their production. The lactase enzyme can also be taken in tablets after agreeing the dose with your doctor.
Soluble fibers, such as those in bran (beta-glucans) and in apples (pectin), may pass into the large intestine only partially digested. Here they become a material for the production of gases. Research conducted by American scientists shows that drinking three glasses of apple juice a day increases the amount of gas in the body four times.
Starch that is not digested in the stomach and small intestine goes to the large intestine and becomes a breeding ground for bacteria producing gases. Wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, and even bread or pasta can get in trouble. In this respect, the safest grain is rice.
It is worth knowing that gas and gas can also be caused by vitamin C in tablets. If you are taking more than 500 mg a day, limit this to 200 mg and eat more citrus fruits and sweet peppers instead. The vitamin C contained in them does not cause intestinal sensations.
Gas brake
When cooking vegetables that have explosive properties, add garlic or ginger. People prone to the so-called Winds, they should eat less fat, the digestion of which promotes the formation of gas in the body, and not use sweeteners (sugar substitutes).
You must do itObserve your body to find out at what time and after what foods you have gas. It is not always enough to eliminate these foods from the menu. Herbs and medications often help. Agents which break down small gas bubbles in the stomach and intestines (e.g. espumisan) are recommended. You can drink infusions of cinnamon bark, anise seeds, basil leaves, hyssop and peppermint without fear. Ready-made preparations are also convenient. The natural gas balance in the intestines can be restored, for example, by beneflora.
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