Food & Flatulence
Flatulence can be an embarrassing occurrence that can be avoided by watching what you eat. Gas is frequently caused by food. The two have been linked together since the dawn of modern medicine. Many foods cause flatulence, and avoiding these foods may reduce flatulence if they are a contributing factor.
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What Is Flatulence?
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Flatulence is the state of having gas in the stomach or intestines. It can cause pain or bloating. It may expel itself through passing of the gas by belching or burping or passing of gas through the rectum. The gasses passed are usually nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon dioxide, methane and oxygen.
Why Foods Cause Flatulence
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Foods that cause flatulence in some may or may not cause it in others. They cause flatulence because of different kinds and amounts of bacteria in the intestines. Elimination or reduction of foods that cause flatulence from your diet may reduce or eliminate flatulence.
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Foods That Cause Flatulence
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Foods that commonly cause flatulence include but are not limited to: legumes, beans, nuts, prunes, bananas, bran, fried and greasy foods, rich cream sauces and gravies, garlic, foods high in fat (especially meats), carbonated drinks and sodas and beer. Too much fiber in your diet may also cause flatulence along with a host of other intestinal conditions.
Solutions To Flatulence
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Aside from avoiding foods that cause flatulence, there are other ways to get around or reduce flatulence. Eating small meals more frequently as opposed to three large meals is helpful. Chewing your food better will reduce the work your stomach has to do to digest thus reducing the gasses produced. Avoid lying down after eating as well, gasses pass more quickly and easily into the intestines in this position. Over-the-counter medicines may also help with flatulence.
History
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Flatulence has been a topic of conversation for years. Hippocrates, originator of Hippocratic oath and one of the first doctors, said that flatulence is a necessary function. The Roman Emperor Claudius declared that Romans were allowed to pass flatulence whenever they pleased. In the mid-1800s, Joseph Pugol played tunes at sold out Moulin Rouge shows with his musical flatulence.
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References
- Photo Credit jf image by Claudio Calcagno from Fotolia.com
