Flatulence is a normal biological process, perhaps as normal as sweating and breathing. Also called in its more familiar terms such as passing wind or farting, flatulence is a way of getting rid of gas that has accumulated inside the body. Some people actually think that farting is laughable and at times embarrassing, especially when one fails to control it and has farted in the presence of friends or strangers. Flatulence is not really a problem because as we have said, it is a normal process. On an average, a normal person passes wind about 15 times each day.

What Causes You to Fart?

The act of swallowing water, saliva or food allows you to swallow small amounts of air too. The swallowed air accumulates in your digestive system. The process of digesting the foods that you eat also causes the release of gas. Common foods that cause the formation of gas include high-fat foods such as bacons, hotdogs, cheeseburgers, French fries and potato chips; gaseous vegetables like beans, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and brussels sprouts; and foods rich in refined carbohydrates such as soft drinks, pizza, candies, and cakes.

In order for the body to get rid of the accumulated gas, a person needs to belch or to fart. However, aside from the reasons above, some medical conditions also causes excessive flatulence. These conditions include irritable bowel syndrome and constipation.

Excessive flatulence alone can usually be controlled on your own simply by modifying your lifestyle and your diet. But if flatulence is accompanied by other symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, bloody stools and changes in your bowels (such as recurring diarrhea or recurring constipation), it is advised that you immediately see your doctor for proper diagnosis and treatment.

• Stay Away from Certain Foods

  One of the most important thing to do when you have an overly sensitive digestive system is to know which types of food triggers your problem. Avoid gas-forming foods such as leeks, corns, eggplant, cereals, peaches, pears, citrus fruits, apples, cashews, cauliflowers, broccoli, radishes, oats, potatoes, sprouts, cabbage, dairy products, turnips, lentils, beans, garlic and onion. Making the sacrifice would very well serve you. If you are dining out with a group of friends, plan ahead what you want to order. This will save you from the potential embarrassment of passing wind in front of your friends.

• Eat Slowly

  It is never a good idea to eat hurriedly. Taking big bites allow you to take big gulps of air, and eating at a fast pace does not help with proper digestion. As a result, your food is not chewed properly and it won’t be digested properly either. This contributes to more gas formation in your digestive system.

• Pumpkin

  If you are already experiencing flatulence of some sort, eat some pumpkin. You may broil it, steam it or bake it. It will help soothe your tummy and lessen your farting episodes. Also, a simple soup made from pumpkin will do wonders to your tummy. Pumpkin soups are readily available in restaurants so you could just ask your waiter for it when you are eating out.

• Yogurt

  When looking for a yogurt to calm your digestive system, look for one that contains live acidophilus bacteria – the form of bacteria that is good for your stomach because it helps with the digestive process. The next time you are going grocery shopping, include yogurt with live acidophilus in your list. It pays to have it handy even at home.

• Cardamom Seeds

  The contents of your spice rack can also help you with your digestive and flatulence problems. Adding cardamom seeds to the vegetables that you have just sautéed, or incorporating it in your lentils or rice just before you cook them, can help speed up your digestion. Furthermore, steeping pods to make a tea, or chewing the cardamom seeds whole can help regulate flatulence and digestion.

• Cloves

  Cloves also do wonders to your digestive system. They help speed up digestive processes and they help eliminate excessive gas. You may want to incorporate your rice with 2 or 3 whole cloves before you cook them. You may also sprinkle cloves on pears or apples when you are baking. To make a tea, steep 2 or 3 cloves in one cup boiling water, leave it for 10 minutes, add honey and then drink.

• Fennel Seeds

  You may find the taste of fennel seeds quite weird, but you will get used to it sooner or later. If you are one of the many people who are constantly plagued by excessive gas, fennel seeds would be good for you. Its digestive powers have been so well-known in India that people there customarily eat fennel seeds in order to freshen their breath and to help them with digestion. For gas sufferers, make a tea out of fennel seeds. Steep half a teaspoon of fennel seeds into a cup of boiling water for a period of ten minutes. You may then proceed to drink the tea. Or, you may sprinkle the seeds over vegetables.

• Turmeric

  Turmeric is so powerful it can stop your gas problem in its tracks. Turmeric is found in curry powder so you can add it to your rice or use it as a seasoning in your bland dishes. Turmeric alleviates your gas problems so it would serve you best to incorporate this spice into your cooking.

• Tamarind

  If you have a tamarind tree planted in your backyard, or if your neighbor has one, get a few pods, add one cup of water and then bring it to a boil. You may add sweetener, preferably honey, according to your liking. Let the solution cool down and once it does, take a few small sips. This will surely help you with your flatulence problems.

• Peppermint

  The peppermint herb has also been popular for its digestive powers. To take full advantage of its health benefits to the digestive system, drink a cup of peppermint tea two times a day. Peppermint has chemical oils that help with digestion.

Sources
health.howstuffworks.com
nhs.uk
livestrong.com