Why broccoli causes gas

This causes burping and may also increase how much gas you pass. Swapping soda for juice, tea, or water with no carbonation may help you reduce gas. Fruits such as apples, peaches, pears, and prunes contain the natural sugar alcohol, sorbitol, which the body has trouble digesting. Many fruits also have soluble fiber, which is a type of fiber that dissolves in water.

Sorbitol and soluble fiber must both also pass through the large intestines, where bacteria break them down to create hydrogen, carbon dioxide, and methane gas.

Like carbonated drinks, sucking on hard candy can cause you to swallow extra air. Many candies also use sorbitol as a sweetener. These two factors can contribute to extra gas. Onions contain a natural sugar called fructose. Like raffinose and sorbitol, fructose contributes to gas when bacteria in the intestines break it down. Gum seems an unlikely source for gas, but chewing it can make you swallow more air. Many sugar-free gums are also sweetened with sugar alcohols that are harder to digest, such as sorbitol, mannitol, and xylitol.

If you burp a lot, your doctor may recommend that you stop chewing gum to reduce gas. Processed foods are packaged goods, such as breads, snack foods, cereal, and salad dressing. If you are struggling with frequent bloating, a few simple changes in your diet can help.

Here are five foods that may be causing your bloating:. The information in Healthy Living Online is for educational purposes only. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Here are ways to prevent unwanted side effects when eating these foods. Full of protein and fiber, these little guys can cause big trouble for sensitive stomachs.

If you soak and cook your own beans or use dry beans in soup or stews, one way to prevent gas is to get rid of the water you soak the beans in that contains some of the gas-producing enzymes and fill your pot with fresh water before boiling.

Regardless of how you cook them, the best way to prevent gas is to start small. A serving size is usually half a cup, but you might want to start off with a quarter cup or even less. Choose beans with less fiber such as adzuki, black-eyed peas, edamame, and baby lima beans, and eat them with easily digestible foods like rice or quinoa.

Avoid pairing beans with other foods that cause you digestive upset such as spicy peppers, onions, or dairy products. As your body becomes accustomed to eating beans, gradually increase the amount you eat. Enjoy just a few pieces at first, and you should notice an improvement in your tummy postdinner. This can also be applied to other hard-to-digest veggies, such as cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and collard greens.

And a high-fiber diet can certainly be to blame for excessive flatulence and belching. Foods that often cause gas can include veggies like Brussels sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage; fruits like peaches, apples, and pears; and whole grains like bran.

Dairy products such as milk, cheese, and yogurt may trigger excessive gas in people with dairy sensitivity or lactose intolerance. Still, don't overlook the importance of a high-fiber diet and the value of eating fiber-rich foods, even with their potential to cause gas.

High-fiber foods are healthy for everyone, and especially for people with chronic health conditions like diabetes and heart disease. More and more evidence confirms that fiber intake is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a review of 22 studies published in the December edition of BMJ.