15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (2024)

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (1)
Medically Reviewed by Minesh Khatri,MD on November 27, 2022

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (2)

Apples

1/15

The teachers’ favorite contains sorbitol, a sugar that's naturally in many fruits. Some people's bodies can’t absorb it properly, which gives them gas and bloating. It can cause diarrhea, especially for children.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (3)

Blackberries

2/15

Maybe you've enjoyed them fresh, in a juicy cobbler, or dried in teas. Their natural sugar is good for people who want to cut back on sweets, but it's not always good for the gut. If you have a problem digesting sorbitol, you may feel bloated, have belly pain, or have diarrhea, gas, or nausea.

Watermelon

3/15

This popular summertime treat is high in fructose, a sugar in fruit. Your body can have trouble digesting it, so you might get gas. It’s rare, but the problem might be in your genes. Doctors call that a "hereditary fructose intolerance." A blood test can tell if you have it.

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Artichokes

4/15

These veggies have a sugar called fructan that helps setoff gas. If you don’t feel well after you eat them, just stay away from them.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (6)

Potatoes

5/15

Spuds are usually a safe choice for a dinner side item. The starch gives some people gas and bloating, though.

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Shiitake Mushrooms

6/15

These famous fungi can make you get a little funky. Blame it on mannitol, another natural sugar. It can give you gas -- and if you eat too much of it, it also can act like a mild laxative.

Peas

7/15

Love them or hate them, these soft, green veggies have a chain of sugars called galacto-oligosaccharides that feed gut bacteria and cause gas. This can make for a not-so-pleasant post-meal experience.

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Coffee

8/15

The caffeine in your favorite daily jolt might be making you bolt to the bathroom. Dial back on the java if you feel an urgent need to go or you get a stomachache after drinking up.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (10)

Oatmeal

9/15

This breakfast superstar has plenty of fiber, which lets you feel full and satisfied all morning. But if you add too much to your diet too quickly, your tummy might get a little uncomfortable. To get more of this important nutrient, introduce it slowly to your eating plan so you don't overwhelm your system.

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Cruciferous Veggies

10/15

They're crunchy, delicious, and super healthy, but they can also be tough to digest. Veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts might make you feel bloated or crampy. If they do, you may want to occasionally swap them for veggies that are less likely to give you gas, like bell peppers, zucchini, or green beans.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (12)

Dried Apricots

11/15

The fiber in dried fruit has a lot of things going for it. A handful can work like magic if you're constipated. These sweet treats, though, are also high in a sugar called fructose, which can give you a tummy ache if you eat too much.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (13)

Peaches

12/15

It's a real treat to dig into one that's juicy and ripe, but the sweetness inside can sometimes cause problems with your stomach. Peaches have natural sugars called polyols, which may not always get along well with your gut bacteria. Sometimes, that leads to cramps and bloating.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (14)

Diet Drinks With Sugar Alcohol

13/15

This sweetener, which is found in some low-cal drinks, can be helpful if you're trying to lose weight. But sugar alcohols can act like a laxative if you take in too much. Check labels to know if a drink has this ingredient. Xylitol and mannitol are examples.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (15)

Chewing Gum

14/15

You swallow air as you chew, which brings gas into your gut. "Sugar-free" types of gum often have sorbitol and xylitol as sugar substitutes. Those give some people gas or even act like a laxative.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (16)

Hard Candy

15/15

You swallow air when you suck these treats. Plus, some candies are sweetened with xylitol, mannitol, sorbitol, or other sugars that make some people get an upset stomach.

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas (2024)

FAQs

15 Surprising Things That Can Cause Gas? ›

In cases where there's no stomach or bowel blockage, gassiness may be caused by diet, constipation, a dietary intolerance, certain medications such as narcotics or irritable bowel syndrome.

Why am I extremely gassy all of a sudden? ›

In cases where there's no stomach or bowel blockage, gassiness may be caused by diet, constipation, a dietary intolerance, certain medications such as narcotics or irritable bowel syndrome.

How to get rid of gas in stomach immediately? ›

How to remove gas from the stomach instantly home remedies include:
  1. Drink a glass of warm water, or tea made with herbs such as peppermint, fennel, carom, cumin, or ginger.
  2. Move around. ...
  3. Gently massage your stomach. ...
  4. Try yoga poses that can relieve gas. ...
  5. Take activated charcoal or simethicone.
Jun 17, 2024

What foods give you extreme gas? ›

Examples of foods that commonly cause flatulence include:
  • dairy products – such as milk, if lactose intolerance is present.
  • dried fruit – raisins and prunes.
  • fruit – apple, apricot, peach and pear.
  • foods high in insoluble fibre – particularly seeds and husks.
  • legumes – beans, peas, chickpeas, soybeans and nuts.

Do scrambled eggs cause gas? ›

Contrary to popular belief, eggs don't make most of us fart. But they do contain sulphur-packed methionine. So if you don't want smelly farts, don't eat eggs alongside fart-causing foods such as beans or fatty meats. If eggs make you bloated and give you wind, you may be intolerant to them or have an allergy.

How do I stop being super gassy? ›

To prevent excess gas, it may help to: Eliminate certain foods. Common gas-causing offenders include beans, peas, lentils, cabbage, onions, broccoli, cauliflower, whole-grain foods, mushrooms, certain fruits, and beer and other carbonated drinks. Try removing one food at a time to see if your gas improves.

Why do you fart more as you get older? ›

Anecdotal evidence links older age to increased gas production. This has been attributed to the metabolic changes that take place at this time of life. These include a general slowing of the metabolism, a decrease in muscle tone and less-effective digestion.

What drink removes gas from stomach? ›

Natural remedies for gas include:
  • Peppermint tea.
  • Chamomile tea.
  • Anise.
  • Caraway.
  • Coriander.
  • Fennel.
  • Turmeric.

How do I fix gas ASAP? ›

7 Home Remedies for Immediate Trapped Gas Relief
  1. Applying Heat. Heat can be soothing for gas pain, says Casey H. ...
  2. Peppermint Tea. “Consuming peppermint tea helps to relax the muscles of the digestive tract,” explains Dr. ...
  3. Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
  4. Activated Charcoal. ...
  5. Exercise. ...
  6. Abdominal Massage. ...
  7. Over-The-Counter Medicine.

What sleeping position relieves gas? ›

What is the best position to avoid gas? Try lying on your left. This follows the natural gas flow in the large bowel. So, it may help pass gas easily and lower gut discomfort.

What is the number 1 cause of gas? ›

Gas in your stomach is primarily caused by swallowing air when you eat or drink. Most stomach gas is released when you burp.

What foods instantly relieve gas? ›

Foods that can reduce or relieve gas include low carb vegetables such as carrots and tomatoes, low sugar fruits such as apricots and peaches, and herbal teas with peppermint. Exercising, gently massaging the abdomen, and taking over-the-counter (OTC) remedies can also help a person relieve gas.

Why do I keep passing gas but not pooping? ›

Why do people have so much gas but cannot poop? Factors such as not drinking enough fluids or not eating enough fiber can cause constipation and make the stool hard to pass. A person can speak with their doctor to assess why they have constipation and gas.

What causes foul smelling gas? ›

Causes of smelly flatulence can range from harmless to potentially severe. Flatulence consists of multiple gases. Typically, the cause of most bad odors from farting is due to intestinal bacteria producing sulfur-containg compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide.

Can peanut butter give you gas? ›

The high fat and fibre content in nuts means that it takes a while for them to be properly digested. As they spend a lot of time working through the digestive system, the risk for gas and bloating is markedly increased. Nuts also contain tannins which can present problems like nausea for some.

What is the number one food that causes bloating? ›

Beans. It's hardly a surprise to see beans atop the list of bloat-causing foods. After all, the legendary powers of this legume have even captured the attention of lyricists: Beans, beans, the musical fruit… Science is behind that tune, explains Czerwony.

Why do I have so much trapped gas all of a sudden? ›

Carbonated beverages, such as soda and beer, increase stomach gas. Eating habits, such as eating too quickly, drinking through a straw, chewing gum, sucking on candies or talking while chewing results in swallowing more air. Fiber supplements containing psyllium, such as Metamucil, may increase colon gas.

When should I worry about being gassy? ›

If you're bothered by intestinal gas, try changing your diet. However, see your health care provider if your gas is severe or doesn't go away. Also see your provider if you have vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, unintentional weight loss, blood in the stool or heartburn with your gas.

Why am I so gassy and bloated as a female? ›

Conditions that cause you to feel constantly bloated and gassy include food intolerances, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and constipation. We all have gas in our intestinal tract, but when it is excessive, it causes an uncomfortable sense of fullness known as bloating.

Why do I have so much smelly gas? ›

You may have excess smelly farts if more bacteria rapidly break down carbs in your large intestine, which releases more gas than usual. People who are fructose or lactose intolerant, are sensitive to high-FODMAP foods, or eat too much fiber may notice increased gas symptoms.

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