The main cause of gas is the bacterial fermentation of undigested sugars in our colon.
Believe it or not, intestinal gas is normal AND healthy. However, certain foods can stimulate a little too much gas for your liking. This list of foods shows the common culprits of gas and flatulence:
- Dairy. The main cause of gas is the bacterial fermentation of undigested sugars in our colon. Poor digestion of the milk sugar lactose, therefore, makes dairy products a leading cause of gas¹.
- Sorbitol and Xylitol. Found in sugar-free sweets, these sugars are often poorly digested.
- Soda. The high fructose in soda can be another culprit².
- Eggs. If you’re worried about the smell, take another look at those hard-boiled eggs. Gassy odors appear to stem from the digestion of sulfur-rich foods. If you want to dilute the stench, your best bet is to cut back on foods like meat and eggs – hydrogen sulfide is known as the “rotten egg gas” for a reason.
- Certain grains.
- Cruciferous vegetables/beans. Doubling up to provide prebiotic potential, it’s worth trying to keep them in your diet.