Boating and gas can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. But did you know that up to 80 percent of the bloating and gas you experience is due to the foods and drinks that you eat? You can help reduce the bloating that you experience throughout your day by avoiding the top ten foods that lead to excess gas in your system such as:
- Soda and Carbonated Beverages. Soda and other carbonated beverages contain gas in them (the carbonation) and thereby add to the build up of gas within your digestive system. Switching to water only will help your eliminate this common cause of bloating and gas, as well as improving your overall health.
- Artificial Sweeteners. Common artificial sweeteners are difficult or impossible for your body to break down, and lead to an excess of gas in your system. You may think that drinking diet beverages will help you lose weight due to the fewer calories, however it will cancel itself out with the amount of bloating you will experience. For better weight loss and inches loss try switching to only water to drink.
- Brussel Sprouts. Brussel sprouts are one of those foods that you either love, or you hate. No matter which side of the brussel sprout fence you are on, these good for you vegetables almost always cause excess gas in your system, and the reason? A complex sugar that your stomach and small intestine can’t break down.
- Dairy. Some people who are lactose intolerant will find that dairy causes excess gas in their system.
- Bananas. The high fructose in bananas can be difficult for some people to process, leading to excess bloating.
- Beans and Lentils. These good for you foods contain starches that are difficult for the body to break down, leading to more gas build up.
- Potatoes. High in starches, potatoes are also difficult for your body to break down.
- Greasy or Fried Foods. These foods contain extra fats which take longer for your body to break down, leading to more gas buildup in your system.
- Salty Foods. Salty foods will cause your body to hold on to water, which will lead to more bloating.
- Gum Chewing. When you chew gum, you swallow more air than the average person does. More air entering the system means more gas and bloating.