What Foods Cause Malodorous Intestinal Gas?

Malodorous intestinal gas is naturally occurring, but because of its harsh odor, it can be embarrassing if you have it. A number of foods can cause malodorous gas to increase or become worse. You can decrease your consumption of, or discontinue eating, these foods to minimize or eliminate the intestinal gas you're experiencing.

Fruits & Vegatables

• Common fruits and vegetables that contain fiber may increase malodorous intestinal gas. Fruits containing sorbitol (a naturally occurring sweetener), such as apples, pears and peaches, are known to be more gaseous as they pass through digestive system. Some vegetables are affected by the naturally occurring complex sugar, raffinose, which causes gaseous affects. These vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, asparagus and cabbage.

Grains & Legumes

• Grains, such as bran, whole wheat and pumpernickel, and various legumes are an essential component to a well-balanced diet, but too many grains and legumes can cause excessive gas. Legumes also contain large amounts of the gas-producing raffinose found in the vegetables mentioned previously.

Dairy

• Lactose is the sugar found in milk and can cause an intolerance in children and adults. This intolerance minimizes or prohibits the breakdown of lactose in the body and can result in gas. Excessive cheese or other dairy products in the digestive system can lead to gas, as it causes a backlog of foods in the small intestine that make it more difficult for the body to breakdown. This is especially true with dairy products because of their high fat content.

Sugar-Free Products

• Sorbitol is a sweetener often used in sugar-free gum and other candy products. You may also find sorbitol in sugar-free versions of diet soda or some fruit juice drinks. This is the same chemical that is naturally found in the fruits mentioned previously.

Starches

• Most starches are broken down in the large intestine and thus can cause gas. The only starch that does not cause gas is rice. Starches that do cause gas include potatoes, pasta and corn.