Excessive amounts of gas are produced in the following ways:

• irregular bowel habits and constipation
• insufficient enzymes to help digest certain foods properly
• chewing gum for long periods

The Cause:

Many foods and beverages cause excess gas in some people. They include:

• some raw vegetables and fruits, like apples, all types of beans, cauliflower, broccoli, turnips, onions (either raw or fried), cabbage and garlic
• beer, drinking too many carbonated beverages — fructose is not absorbed well and it is used as a sweetener in most carbonated beverages
• nuts of all kinds
• some baked goods such as boston cream pie, lemon pie, chocolate, cherry and blueberry pies, bread — i.e. gluten problems
• eating too many sweets — nutritionally a no-no!
• milk, soft cheeses and ice cream — be sure you do not have a lactose intolerance.

Poor bowel habits and hunger (as in irregular eating), or eating non-residue type foods containing no fibre or other roughage can cause gas as can nervousness and tension.

Antibiotics:

Antibiotics sometimes upset the normal bowel bacteria content. If your gas started after a course of antibiotics, you need to replace the normal bacteria — try a good probiotic for 3 weeks — ask the pharmacist.