“Everyone knows” that “You are what you eat.” So if you eat a consistent diet of fatty foods, you probably will develop a layer of fat to show for it.
But what about what your favorite sweet beverages? Even that dreamy looking mocha latte drink can’t be all bad, even it’s topped with a dollop of whipped cream and drizzled with caramel syrup. Right?
Well, not exactly, especially if you’re trying to get intestinal gas under control. The fact is, you are what you eat and drink.
Beverages trigger the “big four” gas symptoms, too
Just like food, beverages can trigger gas and the most commonly associated symptoms, as listed by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:
- Abdominal discomfort, often caused by gas that does not move through the intestines as it should. Many people describe this sensation as something feeling “stuck.” It is indeed, and it is gas.
- Bloating, or that full, stuffed feeling in the abdomen. It’s when gas moves through your intestines too slowly – not too fast – that you’re more likely to feel bloated.
- Burping, which is intensified by swallowing air. Generally speaking, most people swallow more air as they drink than when they chew and swallow food.
- Passing gas, as embarrassing as it can be, is necessary, too. It occurs as your digestive system breaks down nutrients, sugars and carbohydrates, including those from beverages.
Ingredients tell the story
There are reasons why your favorite beverages cause gas, whether you prefer to drop a straw in a carbonated drink, a fruit juice blend or smoothie or a latte or milkshake. (Yes, those last two beverages commingle into one category after all.) Some of the reasons overlap – because some of the ingredients might overlap:
- Carbonated beverages spawn a “fizz factor” that can irritate the bowels and intestines. Many experts decry sugars such as sorbitol and mannitol for health reasons, and the sugars also can cause gas.
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- Fruit juice blends and smoothies often contain real fruit or fruit substitutes that many people find difficult to digest. Apples, apricots, bananas, melons, peaches, pears and prunes top the list. In addition, drinks that contain high fructose corn syrup, a sweetener made from corn, can cause discomfort in the intestines.
- Milkshakes can be problematic for people who have difficulty digesting lactose, the main sugar found in milk. Lactose-intolerant people frequently complain of suffering from all of the “big four” gas symptoms after ingesting lactose.
- Lattes and other coffee drinks. There’s no denying that they look scrumptious, but lattes and other hot and cold coffee drinks can trigger acute gas symptoms. Some restaurants put these drinks on the dessert menu for a reason, especially if they contain milk, cream, syrup, cookies or candy mix-ins. And don’t forget the dollop of whipped cream on top.
If you crave sweet beverages, you might feel like you’re in a bit of a bind – literally and figuratively. There’s no doubt that water is your safest bet, and you can always flavor it with a dash of lemon or lime.
But you don’t have to forsake your favorite sweet beverages altogether. Take a CharcoCaps capsule before you take a sip from a soft drink, smoothie or latte. CharcoCaps works quickly to absorb gas, allowing you to indulge your sweet tooth and and head off gas at the pass.