Gas or flatulence occurs when either undigested or partially digested foods travels to the large intestine where it gets fermented (digested or metabolized) by the bacteria that inhabits our colons which causes intestinal gas in the process.

While breaking wind is very normal, passing large amounts of wind is not. Excessive flatulence can be caused by a sudden switch to a high fibre diet, lactose intolerance, certain foods, digestive system disorders and laxatives.

Symptoms of flatulence include:

-Passing wind in excess

-Loud flatus

-Smelly flatus

-Rumbling in the lower abdomen

-Abdominal distension and discomfort

Unfortunately, foods that cause gas are mostly healthy. But there are other non-health foods that may cause one to have excess gas in the gut. The following cause gas.

Vegetables like cauliflower, brussels sprouts, carrots, onions, eggplant, dried beans, broccoli, cabbage and bran.

Legumes like peas, beans, chickpeas, soybeans and nuts

Some surprising things that could give you gas include: Poorly fitting dentures, Anorexia, Flying in a plane, Constipation, Marijuana, Cancer, chugging beer, pregnancy, Yoga, Chewing gum.

Fructose (fruit sugar), table sugar, high fructose corn sugar

Fruits higher in fructose such as apples, pears, bananas, grapes, apricots

Foods high in insoluble fibre especially seeds

Dried fruit like raisins and fruits

Sweetened beverages and fruit juice

Packaged foods such as sugar-free baked goods and candies

Dairy especially if you are lactose intolerance (a condition in which the body lacks the enzyme to break down milk sugar).

Low-calorie sweeteners ending in “ol” can also cause gas, especially when consumed in larger portions.

If you just stared experiencing excess flatulence and you haven’t changed your diet recently look for symptoms like abdominal pain, fever, nausea, weight loss, new onset of continuous constipation as they could be an indication of a serious health condition.