Foods That Can Cause Gas When Eaten

Expelling gas is a necessary bodily function that occurs in two forms: belching and flatulence. Diet can have a direct effect on the levels of excessive gas stored in the body. According to the American Gastroenterological Association, gas buildup is caused by consuming foods that contain enzymes that the body cannot digest (food intolerance), eating foods that are not fully digested before entering the colon, and swallowing an excessive amount of air while eating.

Dairy

• For people with lactose intolerance, dairy consumption often leads to the excessive buildup of gas. The body needs an enzyme called lactase, found in the small intestine, to properly digest lactose, a sugar found in dairy products. If the body does not produce enough lactase, the lactose moves to the colon undigested. Bacteria in the colon ferment the lactose, producing gas that results in bloating and abdominal discomfort.

Carbohydrates

• Starches, sugars and fiber are foods that enter the large intestine undigested. Bacteria in the colon naturally begin to digest these foods, a process that causes some people to produce methane as a byproduct. This is gas is released through the rectum.

Vegetables

• Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and cabbage also enter the colon undigested, leading to gas for the same reasons listed for carbohydrates. Switching from a diet low in raw vegetables to one high in raw vegetables may cause you to experience a two-to-three week period in which gas and bloating increase. Once the body adjusts to the increased raw food intake, the bloating and gas will subside.

Air

• People who chew gum, suck on cough drops or hard candies, or eat quickly tend to swallow a lot of air. This air gets expelled upward from the stomach in the form of belching. Drinking carbonated beverages further increases belching frequency because of the air bubbles swallowed.