Imagine going out for dinner with a bunch of friends and having to inhale the aftermath of somebody’s digestion issues. Nasty, isn’t it? I remember I had invited a very close friend over for dinner. The food turned out to be really good, and needless to say, the extra large helpings didn’t do him much good.
So, it’s not hard to imagine what he did as soon as dinner was over. He relieved himself in a ripper of a fart, and to add insult to injury, he covered up saying it was his way of saying a ‘gas’tronomical thanks!
While it’s normal for us to pass gas at least 14 times a day (yes, 14 times!), the ordeal of having to hold it in (be it a burp or a fart) is torturous. Another way gas bothers us is by causing us to bloat. And of course, thanks to social niceties, these nasty little packets of the air have to remain indoors, causing us so much more trouble.
What Triggers Excessive Gas?
There are different things that trigger these giggle-inducing bouts of gas in people. For some, fruits like apples trigger smelly farts, while for others, the seemingly innocent vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, and Brussels sprouts might be the culprits.
Even dairy products that are supposedly good for our health might not be very good for us as far as our gases are concerned. Fiber, sugar, and starches are not digested very easily, so if you’re releasing way too much gas, you would know what has triggered it. Even soda causes a lot of people to burp or fart.
So, how do you save yourself the blushes?
Normal gas can be pardoned, but what about those that sneak up on you and choose the worst possible time to, well, get released? Here are some magic wands to keep your gas at bay.
1. Ginger
It isn’t just your grandma who says that ginger can help you take care of gas. Even the European Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology has found that ginger aids digestion.
It helps your food break down faster, which means that your stomach will empty faster, guiding the gas to your small intestine quickly, and relieving you of gas and bloating. It’s all about speed!
2. Probiotics
Live microorganisms or probiotics help you digest your food faster, preventing the formation of excess gas. In fact, in 2011, the Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology revealed that the probiotics named Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis help you if you are feeling bloated.
The probiotics that will help fix your gassy mess include yogurt, buttermilk, miso, and even kimchi.
3. Caraway Seeds
Another way to ensure that your gas doesn’t do a peek-a-boo is to consume caraway seeds, which are known to ease bloating and digestion-related issues. They also help relieve cramping and initiate digestion quickly. Just boil a few seeds with water, and strain and consume the liquid, or simply chew it to bid your gas troubles goodbye.
4. Garlic
Now, this might be a smelly option, but it tackles the smelly issues as well. Garlic is known to aid digestion and help douse the gastric flame building up inside your tummy. So, incorporate garlic into your food, especially the ones you feel trigger this trouble, and see the smellies vanish into thin air, quite literally!
5. Buttermilk
This is my personal favorite. Not only does it help you polish down your delicious meal, it also cools your stomach, reducing the burning sensation that you might feel after a particularly heavy meal.
Buttermilk helps settle all the gas formed inside your tummy, thereby helping you take care of your gaseous troubles.
So, the next time somebody invites you to a lunch/dinner party, you know what to do so that you don’t end up burning everybody’s noses with the gas you emit. Apart from including these ingredients in your diet, it also helps if you don’t drink anything during your meals, because liquid dilutes your intestinal juices, making digestion difficult for you.
Also, eat slowly and chew well (mindful eating—try it!), because eating fast will make you consume more air. Have your own tips and suggestions of foods that reduce gas? Let me know below!
