Foods That Cause Flatulence

Flatulence is the technical name for the passing of gas. The formation of excessive gas in the stomach and the intestines is caused by improper or incomplete digestion of food. Moreover, when one gasps or gulps while eating, he swallows air which goes down into the digestive tract and causes flatulence. Excessive consumption of oily and spicy food, eating at irregular timings, overeating, consumption of alcohol, smoking, stress and inadequate sleep can also cause flatulence. Certain kinds of food stimulate the production of gas. These include onion, garlic, beans, lentils, turnips, dairy products, cabbage, sprouts, potatoes, oats, radishes, broccoli, cauliflowers, cashews, apples, citrus fruits, pears, peaches, cereals, eggplant, corns and leeks.

One of the most effective ways of preventing flatulence is to chew every morsel of food well. This aids proper digestion. It is also advisable not to talk while eating, as this might cause air to enter the digestive tract through the mouth and later cause flatulence. Also avoid eating too much food at one go, and eating when you are not hungry. Eat on fixed timings and avoid eating stale foodstuff. To prevent flatulence after a heavy meal, drink a glassful of sugarcane juice to which a teaspoon of lime juice and pinch of rock salt have been added. Fennel seeds also function as an excellent remedy for flatulence. Chewing a few fennel seeds after every meal can prevent gas formation. If the problem is severe, crush a few betel leaves and add a few drops of honey to the juice extracted from the leaves. A small portion of this mixture consumed after a meal can relieve flatulence.

For another remedy, boil a few pods of tamarind in a cup of water and add a teaspoon of sugar to this solution. Drink small sips of this solution once it cools down to treat flatulence. Drinking a cup of peppermint tea twice a day also helps treat flatulence, as it contains chemical oils that ease digestion. For another remedy, cut a piece of raw turmeric into small parts and sprinkle them with salt, pepper and lemon juice. A piece should be consumed during each meal to ensure proper digestion. If you suffer from recurrent flatulence, steam some cinnamon in boiling water for half an hour and store this decoction in a container. A few sips of this solution should be taken half an hour before every meal to treat flatulence.